In what ways can we remove "male shrine prostitutes" from our lives today? The Ancient Context “[Asa] banished the male shrine prostitutes from the land and removed all the idols his fathers had made” (1 Kings 15:12). These men combined sexual immorality with idol worship, corrupting Israel’s worship and daily life. God’s Ongoing Standard • Deuteronomy 23:17―“No daughter or son of Israel is to be a shrine prostitute.” • 1 Corinthians 6:18-20―“Flee from sexual immorality… your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit… glorify God with your body.” • Ephesians 5:3―“But among you… there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality.” The Lord still calls His people to purity and undivided devotion. Modern Expressions of Shrine Prostitution • Pornography and sexually charged media that turn bodies into idols • Hook-up culture and illicit relationships that treat sex as entertainment • Commercial sex trade and human trafficking • Entertainment, advertising, or fashion that profit from lust • Any practice that merges spirituality with sexual compromise (e.g., erotic “wellness” rituals, occult sexual rites) Practical Ways to Clean House • Audit entertainment: unsubscribe, unfollow, delete content that normalizes sexual sin. • Guard devices: use filters, accountability software, shared passwords. • End ungodly relationships: break off adulterous or fornication-based ties. • Confess and repent quickly: bring hidden sin into the light with a trusted, mature believer (James 5:16). • Cultivate accountability groups that meet regularly for honesty and prayer. • Teach children early: biblically shape their view of sex before the culture does (Proverbs 22:6). • Support ministries rescuing people from sex trafficking (Proverbs 31:8-9). • Practice church discipline when open sexual immorality threatens the body (1 Corinthians 5:11-13). • Replace idolatry with worship: memorize Scripture, sing, serve, fast—fill the heart so lust finds no vacancy (Psalm 119:11; Galatians 5:16). Guarding Hearts and Communities • Stay alert to subtle cultural shifts that redefine purity. • Celebrate godly marriage and celibate singleness as honorable paths (Hebrews 13:4). • Encourage one another daily so that none “may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (Hebrews 3:13). • Keep church gatherings and leadership above reproach; immorality left unaddressed spreads (1 Corinthians 5:6). Encouragement to Persevere The same God who empowered Asa still equips believers. “For the grace of God has appeared… training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions” (Titus 2:11-12). Rely on that grace, remove every modern shrine, and walk in the freedom Christ purchased. |
    |