See bulletin Video This past week I met a psychiatrist as I was out and about. In her years of experience, she confirmed her belief about a staggering statistic I had recently read: one out of four women, and one out of six men today have been sexually abused at some point in their life. These statistics of abuse in reality, could be even higher since people are generally shameful to talk about it. As we discussed more we agreed the amount and accessibility of pornography today, tends to lead an individual to increase his or her usage of it, and also may lead the individual into other areas of desire. Given the wide spread sexual immorality then, and still today, Jesus spoke often about the sinful behaviors and wickedness of the world. In His Sermon on the Mount Jesus said to His disciples, "But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matt 5:28). Jesus makes it clear that our very thoughts are sinful too. And these uncontrolled sinful passions and lusts can easily lead to further physical acts of sin just as James wrote, "Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death" (James 1:14-15). So how can pornography be fought with passion? We may think of the word "passion" only in a sexual way, but that isn't the best way to think of that word. During the season of Lent, we call Jesus' road to the cross - His Passion. The passage from James is the reality of life and the reality that our sins begin in our heart. But even when we were still sinners, the Passion of Christ shows us His amazing love and desire for us that was willing to take on our human flesh, to take our sins on Himself, and to take all our sins to the cross for full and free forgiveness! It is that kind of selfless, sacrificial love that the Spirit of God uses in our hearts to fight against all sin, including pornography or sexual abuse. And in Christ's Passionate love He Himself reminds us, "Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." May the Holy Spirit continue to lead us all to repent, that is, to "turn away" from any kind of sin we commit in our hearts and lives; and to find strength and healing in Christ's Passion for us. And may we continually seek wisdom and help from Him, and Lord willingly from each other, to follow Him in this short life to our heavenly goal!