Daily Devotional for Monday August 14, 2006

The Destruction of the Adult Entertainment Industry

(2 Timothy 3:13; Isaiah 1:22; 2 Peter 2:20; Galatians 4:9)

Let me say this right up front so there is no misunderstanding. The adult-entertainment industry DESTROYS LIVES! This is NOT harmless entertainment. Going to strip clubs is NOT a "fun evening out." Visiting X-rated bookstores is NOT a place you should be. Watching porn on your TV, computer, or looking at it in magazines IS a big deal! Visiting massage parlors, lingerie shops, calling escorts or picking up prostitutes will damage your life, even kill you! Swinging is NOT something any husband and wife should ever consider. My friend, the adult entertainment industry sells a perversion of God's beautiful gift of sex which was designed for a man and women in the bonds of marriage, PERIOD!

IT DESTROYS THE LIVES OF THOSE WHO WORK IN THE ADULT INDUSTRY AND IT DESTROYS THE LIVES OF THOSE WHO ARE THE CONSUMERS OF WHAT THE ADULT INDUSTRY PRODUCES!!!

The inverted "L" from Tampa, Florida east to Orlando, east to Daytona Beach, and then south through the Palm Beaches, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, and Key West has the highest concentration of adult establishments than any other place in the nation. Florida has long been known as the capital of strip clubs and adult entertainment businesses. I realize that every major metropolitan area has their fair share, but Florida boasts more of these adult entertainment establishments than any other place in the country.

During the nearly 4 years the TV program has been on, most of that time in Tampa and the State of Florida, I have been amazed at the number of women and some men who work in the adult industry who watch the program. They routinely call and email, usually at a place in their life where they want to leave this dark world that they realize is destroying their life. They become addicted to the fast money, they become addicted to drugs and alcohol, and they become addicted to the lifestyle. However, like in all addictions, they wake up one day and realize that they are trapped and don't know how to get out.

The vast majority of the time when this industry is discussed, it is dealing with those who work in these adult businesses. While I do want to address these women and men, I also want to address the other part of this industry that rarely gets looked at...the customers! There is a business side to the adult industry, and like any business, it can only exist if there are people wanting to buy what they are selling. I have no illusions since due to the depravity of man there will always be a demand for these types of businesses, but I also know that a big part of this industry that is never fully addressed are the men and women who consume what these businesses are selling.

Just like the women and men who work in these industries are destroying their lives, make no mistake about it, the customers of these businesses are destroying their lives as well. We deal every day here at Liveprayer with mostly men but some women as well, who have had their marriages destroyed, relationships with their children compromised, lost their jobs, and ruined their finances because of these adult entertainment businesses. Not to mention the spiritual destruction these businesses do to a person! Don't be fooled, the customers of these businesses have their lives destroyed just as much as those who work in them.

For those women and men reading this today who are working in the adult entertainment industry, even if you reject Christ and don't believe the Bible, you know deep down inside this is not something that you should be doing with your life. Let me ask you a question. Would you be happy if YOUR daughter came home and told you she was a stripper, an escort, or working in porn movies? We both know the answer to that question. Here is another good question. How would you feel if YOUR husband or wife was visiting these establishments and spending money on the women or men working there? Again, we both know the answer to that question.

I am fully aware of the biggest arguments those who work in these businesses always make, and that is about the money. The fact is, those who make this type of money rarely if ever end up with any of it. It goes to keep up a high flying lifestyle. It goes to buy drugs and alcohol. It goes to support some worthless man that in most cases doesn't work and is abusive in many different ways. In the end, the money is always gone. The arguments that you have to do it to live, to support your children is nonsense. 99% of the women and men out there don't take their clothes off and still support their family. It really boils down to whether you trust God or not. Do you trust that God will supply your every need as He has promised.

For those men and women who frequent these businesses, I have a special word for you today. STOP NOW! You are involved in an evil, destructive world that lures you in via your fantasies, and ends up destroying your very real life and all of those around you. Those who frequent these places are sexual addicts, they are in bondage to sex and these businesses are their drugs. They destroy their marriages and real life relationships because of these fantasies. The vast majority end up also getting in bondage to alcohol/and or drugs. Most end up ruining their finances. Many lose their job because of these adult businesses. The list of the destruction to a person's life because of these adult entertainment businesses is endless.

The bottom line is that there is not ONE positive thing that comes from these adult businesses, not one! There is nothing positive about these businesses for those who work in them, there is nothing positive about these businesses for the people who go there, and the circle of destruction extends into the lives of families and friends of the workers and customers, and even to others in their lives who end up getting hurt because of their involvement with these type of adult businesses. The only ones who look as if they win are the owners. But how can anyone really win when what they do is responsible for the destruction of so many lives? They lose just like everyone else does!

I love you and care about you so much. I will be praying today for those who are in any way involved in the adult entertainment world, as well as the families of those who are part of that world. For those who own these types of businesses, don't think for a second it is an accident you are reading this today. God is speaking to you this moment as loud and clear as if He was bellowing from the very sky to "shut it down." Not sell the business, SHUT IT DOWN. I will pray for you today to not only hear God, but obey God! Shut it down, sell the property with the contingency it cannot be used for an adult business, or better yet, give the property to a church!

I will also be praying for you women and men reading this today who work in the adult entertainment industry. God NEVER intended for you to sell your body. The fact is, He created you in His image, He loves you, and He wants the best for you. You are worth more to God than any man or woman could ever pay you. God is saying to you today to quit now. Not tomorrow, or next month, or next year, but NOW! Don't worry about what you will eat, or what you will wear, or where you will live. God already knows you need these things. Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and He will take care of these things. Honor God with your life, that includes your body, and He will honor you.

Lastly, I will be praying for the men and women who go to these adult businesses. They are a bondage in your life and will eventually destroy you. They are no different than crack is to a crack addict or alcohol to an alcoholic. God is a God of deliverance and will deliver you from this bondage you are into these adult businesses if you are ready to quit. He will give you the strength and courage to never set foot in one of these places again if you will ask Him. God is speaking to you today and is telling you to stop now before you get in any deeper, before you bring any more destruction to your life and the lives of those you love. Turn to Him today and He will help you see victory over this weakness if your life.

For the wives, husbands, moms, dads, children, siblings, other family members and friends of people who work in or go to adult businesses, I will also be praying for you today. Praying with you as you stand in the gap for the one you love to leave this perverted world and turn their hearts and lives completely to the Lord. I will also be praying for God to bring healing to your life for the pain your loved one has caused you by being part of these adult businesses. Never forget that God is a God of redemption, and He can bring your loved one out of this bondage and change their heart, while bringing healing to your life and to your relationship. Our God is able!!!

Satan is usually very subtle in how he works. The fact is there is nothing subtle about these adult businesses. They are clearly and blatantly in complete rebellion to God and are like neon middle fingers pointed to the heavens. If you own one of these places, if you work in one of these places, if you go to one of these places, YOU ARE AN ENEMY OF GOD! You have taken sides with satan who we know in the end will be destroyed and cast for all eternity into the Lake of Fire. Sadly, those who are involved in any way in the adult entertainment industry will also see their lives destroyed. God is speaking to you today and giving you the opportunity to escape. I pray that you take advantage of it.