One day Jacob was cooking a stew. Esau came in from the field, starved. Esau said to Jacob, “Give me some of that red stew—I’m starved!” Jacob said, “Make me a trade: my stew for your rights as the firstborn.” Esau said, “I’m starving! What good is a birthright if I’m dead?” Jacob said, “First, swear to me.” And he did it. On oath Esau traded away his rights as the firstborn. Jacob gave him bread and the stew of lentils. He ate and drank, got up and left. That’s how Esau shrugged off his rights as the firstborn. Genesis 25:29-34
Comment
Ian Henderson of the Naked Truth Project gave us a talk a while back about the story above and how Esau had traded his birthright for something that ultimately was instant gratification – he wasn’t actually ‘dying’ he was just hungry!
The Naked Truth project exists to ‘open eyes & free lives from the damaging impact of pornography’. Pornography is instant gratification but has long term devastating side effects to a marriage – sex can become difficult as unrealistic expectations are established (looks, behaviour etc), trust can be broken down if a spouse finds out. It’s easily accessable due to most of us having smart phones these days and not just confined to being a ‘bloke’s issue’ with the emergence of books like 50 Shades of Grey.
Are you trading the foundations of your relationship for instant gratification? This may not apply simply to pornography – we all have appetites & this can easily lead to other addictions.
Be honest here with each other about anything that could be getting in the way of your relationship being the healthy one God created it to be, then make a plan and hand it to God.
Prayer (as a couple)
Father God, we hand over any issues that are getting in the way of our relationship. Help us to commit fully to each other and you. Amen.
Prayer (for others)
Father God, we pray for couples that we may or may not know who are struggling with the issue of pornography. We ask you to shine a light into their lives and give them the courage to get the help they need. Amen
Quote
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10
GET HELP!
You can watch Ian Henderson talking about the Esau/Jacob story here and get help if you have a pornography addiction here.
