At the Altar of Sexual Idolatry
This book addresses sexual sin and addiction from a biblical and pastoral perspective, focusing on lust, pornography, masturbation, and patterns of sexual idolatry. Steve Gallagher examines how sexual temptation can develop into increasingly destructive patterns and emphasizes honesty, accountability, repentance, and living openly before God. He explores underlying spiritual issues, the influence of the sinful flesh and surrounding culture, and what he describes as spiritual warfare involved in overcoming habitual sin. The latter sections focus on the process of recovery and spiritual transformation through brokenness, repentance, discipline, walking in the Spirit, resisting lust, and relying upon God’s grace. A chapter directed specifically to married men discusses marital love and sexuality. Throughout the book, Gallagher presents freedom as a process involving biblical conviction, practical discipline, separation from sinful influences, spiritual growth, and dependence upon God. The work is intended particularly for Christians struggling with sexual sin and those ministering to them.
- 01 Introduction: Living in a Sexualized Culture
- 02 Part 1: The Problem
- 03 Sexual Idolatry
- 04 Developing Convictions about Lust and Masturbation
- 05 The Spiral of Degradation
- 06 The Need to Live in the Light
- 07 The Process of Sin
- 08 Part 2: The Right Course
- 09 6. The Root Issues
- 10 7. Freedom Comes Slowly for a Reason
- 11 8. How Much Do You Care?
- 12 Part 3: Influences
- 13 9. The Sinful Flesh
- 14 10. Separating From the World
- 15 11. Battles in the Spiritual Realm
- 16 Part 4: The Way Out
- 17 12. The Place of Brokenness and Repentance
- 18 13. Disciplined for Holiness
- 19 14. Walking in the Spirit
- 20 15. Overcoming Lust
- 21 16. How to Be a Great Lover (A Word to Married Men)
- 22 17. The Power of God’s Grace
- 23 Notes
- 24 Other Books Available by Pure Life Ministries
- 25 The Walk Series
- 26 Pure Life Ministries
- 27 About the Author