Modern Disciple Magazine for Men (MDM4M), published in Canada AUGUST 2004

Cover

The Ministry of Setting Captives Free by Mike Martin

Interview: Building 429 by Ryan Richardson

Wild at Heart by Mike Martin

The Well Balanced Diet by Jeff Consiglio

Bill's Story by Phil Sweet

Review: every man, God's man by Stephen Barkley

Media Watch by David Chipp-Smith

Sleeping at Last by Justin Taylor

Review: Everywoman's Battle by Leah Behrens

Viva V by Ryan Richardson

Review: Every Woman's Battle

by Shannon Ethridge

A Review by Leah Behrens Sexual temptation and impurity-is it just a man's struggle? As a woman, I can tell you that I've noticed there's been a lot of buzz going around the local church about helping men in their battle against pornography and the lustful, wandering eye. It's become an open book, out of which much accountability and healing has sprung forth. But what about the ladies? Well, while most women aren't dealing with visual sexual temptation like internet porn and dirty movies, there is a parallel battle being waged on the feminine front. The title of Shannon Ethridge's book, Every Woman's Battle, spells out the magnitude of this conflict quite plainly-it's one that Christian women are grappling with everywhere-perhaps even the ones that are closest to you. Does that shock you? Women struggle with sexual temptation so much differently than men, that it often goes undetected. It's hidden deep in their hearts and in the playground of their minds. It may seem 'innocent' enough, but this sort of impurity can take its toll on a marriage just as badly as any physical, adulterous affair ever could. Ethridge, who admits to having had several emotional extramarital affairs before finding purity and peace, has a remarkable ability to relate with convicting accuracy. Her writings take the reader deep into the sinful heart and thoughts of a woman looking for love, appreciation and acceptance wherever and however she can find it, and from whomever will notice her. Using personal accounts from the several hurting women she's encountered in her ministry (Well Women Ministries), Ethridge cuts right to the core without apology. She lays out the deep, dark secrets that women keep and entertain in their hearts and calls it exactly what it is-sin. But during this expose, she reminds women that they are not alone in this struggle. "No temptation has seized you except what is

common to [woman]. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." (I Corinthians 10:13) The first steps towards freedom involve admitting to and addressing sexual and emotional compromise. And Ethridge is quick to point out that God has never said, "If you experience sexual temptation, there must be something wrong with you because no one else struggles with it that much." Not only does she wake women up to the battle raging in their hearts and minds, Ethridge systematically uses scriptures and gives practical advice to lead women towards a lifelong path to true joy and fulfilment, sexually, emotionally, and spiritually. I'm not sure how you could tactfully give your wife, girlfriend, sister, or mother a copy of this helpful book and encourage her to read it-but IS a valuable study-one that can bring the women in your life closer to their husbands, and especially to God. Available with Every Woman's Battle, is an accompanying workbook which would make for a wonderful weekly ladies Bible study. Perhaps as the godly reader of MDM4M that you are, you could make this a recommendation to the pastor of your church!

All articles in MDM4M are copyright the author. Opinions and views are solely those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the opinions of MDM4M.