XXX:The Lion’s Den

I’ve heard a speaker who has traveled to Missouri once mention that on the long stretch of Missouri highway, there are a lot of cornfields,  a lot of firework stores and a lot of porn shops. This really changes the meaning of our state’s motto the “show me state right?” I was recently on a small road trip with my family heading west to Kansas City, and you know what? There are a lot of cornfields, firework stores, and porn shops. Billboard after billboard promised of exotic fun, pleasure, and passion. One billboard sign that really got me was for a store called the Lion’s Den. I started to wonder how it got its name. If you really think about it, this name doesn’t make any sense. It’s literally terrible marketing on their part.

I would say most people have heard of at least one story of a lion’s den before. Usually in the form of some buffed up gladiator, squaring off against the fearless beast, in a battle to the death, in a Colosseum with thousands of cheering spectators roaring for more. That may not be a reality according to some historians, but ancient civilizations did throw slaves or criminals into a lion’s den for execution.

Sound familiar? You may have heard the story of Daniel and the lion’s den (Daniel 6). This story teaches us about the promises and faithfulness of God, even if we feel like everything has been lost. So the story goes Daniel, was appointed the leader of advisors, by King Darius, who was ruler over Babylon, was a man who believed in God and followed the Lord’s commands. A lot of the other appointed leaders did not like Daniel and did not want him in charge so they devised a way to get rid of Daniel.

These men knew that Daniel served the God of Isreal. They told King Darius to make a new law in which people could worship and pray to only the king and if they worshiped or prayed to other gods, they would be executed. They would be thrown into a lion’s den, and the starving lions would eat and kill the lawbreaker.

Daniel knew a new law but continued to remain faithful in his prayer and praise to the Lord. Daniel was not afraid and prayed out loud three times a day with his windows open. When the men saw Daniel and brought accusations against him to King Darius, and the king was devastated because Daniel was his favorite. The king knew he could not change the law and Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den.

The king spent the night with regret. Tossing and turning, so at the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. When he got to the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?” Daniel answered, “May the king live forever!  My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”

Sometimes we find ourselves in a dark place. Sometimes we are thrown into them, and sometimes we click into in ourselves. Sometimes it’s wrongful percussion, and sometimes it’s on a lonely stretch of highway and we are broke and alone. Regardless, most the time we feel dirty and want out.

Daniel had faith in God, and God delivered him out of the lion’s den. I wish as a follower of Christ we had that faith. The faith Daniel had. I wish that the statistic for porn use and addiction wasn’t a high level of Christians. I wish we weren’t surrounded by a world of millions of cheering spectators roaring for more. I wish that this was not accepted as ok by many.

But wishing gets us nowhere. So I ask that you join me in prayer. A prayer to deliver us out of the lion’s den. A steadfast prayer to end this.

Father God,

I ask that you deliver our hearts, to set our eyes only on you. I pray that you send your angels to protect us and to close the enemies mouth. I ask you to help us to not find ourselves wondering in the lion’s den. I pray that we do not feed this monster. I pray that we look beyond the flashy signs and the click baits, and see the hurt and broken lives that are eaten away at as we get our moment of pleasure.  I pray that we rely only on you when we feel alone. Deliver us from ourselves and our ways.

In your Sons name, Amen

If you are having struggles with porn addiction, it’s not too late to ask for help. Consider me an ally. I’d love to pray for you. Feel free to reach out.

Please check out these resources that can also help you.

Covenant Eyes – Our Accountability service is designed to help you overcome pornography by monitoring your screen activity and sending a report to a trusted ally who holds you accountable for your online choices.

XXX Church – Porn addiction is one of the most difficult addictions to overcome, but XXXchurch is your resource online for pornography addiction help.
We prevail over sex and porn addiction through awareness, prevention, and recovery.