At the Altar of Sexual Idolatry

I read "Every Mans Battle" and "Out of the Shadows." They may help a normal guy with regular temptation, but they did nothing for me. But in this book, Gallagher reveals his personal story of escape from enslavement to lust. He used the sacred scriptures to understand the truth about himself, sin, and GOD. My lack of self-control and obedience to God has destoyed two marriages. Due in great part to Steve's book, I now truly believe that Christ offers freedom and hope. God's grace enables us to abide in Christ. And just as the illustration Steve used to close his book, when we get off track, God's grace tells us to get right back on.

I work with crack-addicted homeless men in Washington, DC. For three years I've used the book "Every Man's Battle" by Steve Arterburn along with other materials to teach a class in sexual purity. Last year I began incorporating "At the Altar of Sexual Idolatry" into the curriculum. This year I've thrown out the "Every Man's Battle" book, not because it's no good, but because it's not good enough. Whereas "Every Man's Battle" just touches the tip of the iceberg and is useful for men who are not sure if they've crossed the line, the population I work with has gotten so far over the line they don't even know where it is anymore. Time is of the essence, and "At the Altar of Sexual Idolatry" saves valuable time by rapidly focusing on the core problem and identifying factors. Over and over again men have remarked "I really understand what you mean by the sex problem" after reading 'Sexual Addiction' (the first chapter). Sexual addiction, especially among the drug addicted population is getting worse. Ninety percent of those who relapse back into drugs start with a hook-up with a female. For those I work with it's an epidemic. Any tool that will save a life is worth using. For some, Steve Gallagher's approach may be overwhelming, but for those who have been risen from the dead it is a breath of fresh air.

Steve Gallagher is to be highly commended for his willingness to write this book. For far too long men have been patted on the back and told that Jesus loves them all the while they are living in sin and clear disobedience against God (Hebrews 10:26). Mr. Gallagher paints no pictures of easy, cheap grace answers for sexual addiction. He paints an ugly, sinful picture of someone bound for hell unless they repent (Luke 13:5; 1 John 2:3-6). In this book you will read chapter after chapter of heart griping tales of sexual addicts in the Church. Many of them looked like upright men but all the while they were living in sexaul addiction (or as Gallagher puts it, "at the altar of sexual idolatry" since sexual addicts worship sex). Gallagher shares how God's Word can set men free if they are willing to lay down their pride, admit their sin to themselves, God, and their families and become accountable for discipleship, prayer, and holiness. Truly "without holiness no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14). We are to make sure that we avoid sexual sins at all cost (1 Corithians 6:19; Hebrews 12:16) for truly, the sexual immoral will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Galatians 6:7-9; Revelation 21:8).

Where do I start with a book of this calibre!!! I have been a christian for 10 years now and I have had a troublesome life, in terms of my brother dying and my mother having a breakdown... I can go on but I don't wanna bore you to death. Since these tragic events took place, I was not the same person. I basically fell head over hells into depression and I did not realize it until later on in my life. This is when I began to dabble in porn to keep me satisfied and keep me from losing my mind and devling deeper into depression and suffering. "I am in no way justifying myself just telling you how it is". As the months and years went by my descendance into porn and fetishes etc became obsessive and become the focal point of my day. No matter what I was doing or who I was talking to My mind and feelings were in a place of sexual fantasy. I have accumulated £6000 > $10,935.70 "I am from the UK" of expenses on internet sex, fetish, sites and also video's, CD's. <br /> <br /> I became entralled with it and my life was about sex and my sexual fantasies. Not My family, GF, or Friends. <br /> <br /> I was a very selfish and arragant so and so because all I wanted to do is get off and explore the world of sex and fantasies. My Lust and Urges were only satisfied momentarily. <br /> <br /> I believed this was a good therapeutic ritual of destressing myself and saisifying my monsterous urges. <br /> <br /> This went on and on. <br /> <br /> I knew I was going to far into my obssessive behaviour when I started to explore the darker side of sex. I was getting into things of which I would neverever be excited by if I was in my sane mind. I tried to stop and even went without indulding in my fifth for a week or so, but the temptation and seductive nature of beautiful women and sex etc, always pulled me in and then spat me out. I was a slave to my desire. Visting Prostitues, Mistresses. <br /> <br /> This is when I knew I had no control over my obsession, I was very much a fully fledged sex addict. <br /> <br /> Now This is the point where I tried to stop and exit this world. <br /> However this was an impossible task for me as I have conditioned myself with this lifestyle to such a degree that all I ever knew on how to get comform, destress and feel a temporary kind of love is by doing these things. I became very lazy, didn't want a relationship at all. I just wanted what I wanted. I was battling with myself all the time trying to come out of this mess I have created. <br /> <br /> I didn't realize how far away from god I was until I even thought about him. All I ever thought about was myself and needs. <br /> <br /> This is when I began to pray and ask for forgiveness, to repent my sins. It worked. The pull of my sexual deseries became tolerable. However I fell foul of my sin again and again and again. As the Devil knew my weaknesses and my fantasies etc. <br /> <br /> I was weak and lost in the world of darkness and emptiness. <br />

When push came to shove and my back was up against a wall, God used At the Altar of Sexual Idolatry to change my life. Not only did this book expose my sexual addiction for sin, and lead me to true godly repentance, but it taught me how to be an actual DOER of God's word and walk in the Spirit (which is where the ONLY true victory over sexual addiction is!). Steve has a special ability to communicate the hope that DOES exist for those of us who are struggling, because he has been there himself and has allowed God to conquer him. He's not some stuffed shirt telling you his "theory", but rather leading you into God and out of sin. Now, after two years of solid victory over sexual addiction, I continue to watch men's lives change because of the powerful truth this book contains. If you are a Christian man who struggles with sexual sin, a wife who has been victimized by this hideous sin, a pastor or Christian counselor, this book will bring healing and restoration through God's word. I stand as a living testimony that God IS able to set the captive free and heal a broken life. I encourage you to look no further. If you are searching for a book that will deal directly with sexual addiction from testimony and God 's word, you have found it right here. God bless you.