Okay so let's get to it. I want to talk about romance novels and fantasy , God has placed it on my heart to talk about this not only because I struggled with it but because I know it is something that many young adults and women struggle with.
I started reading romance novels at the young age of 13. I use to go to the library with my sister all the time and I would always read the teen fiction novels until one day I got bored with them and ventured into the adult section. There I picked up my first romance novel, I can't remember the author but nothing about the book cover seemed inappropriate. As I read the back of the book, I thought "wow. This is about love, I can't wait to read it." ( I wasn't saved at this time)
So that one book became the 1st of probably over 500 romance novels that I've read. It became an addiction. But it seemed harmless to me. As I got older, I noticed that the books not only caused me to look at love through the eyes of man (not God ) but it also caused me to be lustful. Now, some people may say but it's a "romance" novel. Chile, 80% of these romance novels are about lust.
Let me break it down for you. The women is usually very meek, humble and quiet but she has a raging lust and heart for a man that is strong, powerful, and attractive beyond imagination, an alpha male. This man may be a brute, or often mean but the woman can only see the good in him and she falls in love, he tries to make her not want him, while still wanting her, they have sex , he falls in love, she "changes him" they get married, and live happily ever after. Sounds crazy, right ? Because it is. The bible tells us to guard our heart, and to be careful about what we watch and the thoughts we let fester in our minds. Don't you think that after reading these books for 7 years straight that I would believe that this is love? I would fantasize like every day about this " love" and when ever I got into a relationship, my expectations were based off of a fantasy. I began to notice this pattern in my life.
When I was in a relationship and happy, I wouldn't read romance novels. I was content and happy so there was no need for me to read about a happy fantasy when I felt like I was living one. But when I wasn't happy in my relationship, I would ignore my boyfriend and dive into romance novels every night to fill that void that my boyfriend could no longer fill. So if you're married, this could also be a danger for you too.
Sis, I just want to let you know, only God can fill these voids.
No man, no book, no porn, none of these things can fill the void, if you notice they just leave us wanting more.
If this is something you are struggling with Today I pray that you turn from the lust and unrealistic fantasies and go before The Lord and ask him for the desire for Him and Him only.
Matthew 6:24 says that No man can serve two masters, you cannot serve both god and money,
Likewise you cannot serve romance novels and God,
To some that may sound silly, how am I serving romance novels ?
Simple. You spend more time reading romance novels than you do reading your bible or spending time with God.
Our purpose in life is to serve God and if you were to be brutally honest with yourself, the feelings that you have after reading a romance novel are not Godly. They are lustful and leave you wanting.
And they could lead you to fornicate.
The bible tells us to put on the whole armor of God that we may stand against the wiles of the devil .
(Ephesians 6:11)
That means we must guard our whole body, even our eyes.
If you have tried to stop reading these books before and you continue to mess up, try something different. Throw away all the books. Or if you have the kindle app, delete it. That may seem extreme but you must take this seriously.
This fight is not physical it is spiritual. The enemy laughs when we fall and make excuses for our flesh. Make him mad today.
Love you forever,
Candice E Brown
