How does our view of God shape our experiences of desire, sexuality, and freedom? In this raw and emotionally honest continuation of the "Sex, Love & God" series, Mike explores the sacredness of sexual desire through the lens of Song of Songs while unpacking the dangerous spiral of lust, idolatry, and self-worship outlined in Genesis and Romans. This episode – titled "The Tornado of Death" – offers a deep dive into the difference between holy longing and destructive craving, revealing the power of God's design for intimacy, restraint, and healing.

As Mike leads us through poetic affirmations in Song of Songs and the brutal honesty of Romans 1, we explore how desire becomes corrupted when it disconnects from gratitude and reverence for God. He unpacks the devastating effects of lust – not as mere sexual temptation, but as the loss of sensitivity, agency, and joy. Whether you're single, married, struggling with addiction, or questioning your faith, this episode offers soul-piercing honesty, powerful biblical insight, and compassionate perspectives on how to break free from the prison of self-worship.

Key Takeaways: • Understanding the Spiral of Lust – From ingratitude to idolatry, from self-worship to captivity, Mike maps out how distorted sexual desire emerges from a misaligned view of God. • Lust vs. Sexual Desire – Differentiating between healthy, God-honoring romantic longing as seen in Song of Songs and the soul-deadening craving of lust. • The Role of Worship – Why battling sexual temptation begins not with behavior modification, but with reorienting worship from self to God. • Lost Sensitivity and Slavery – How lust enslaves us by numbing joy, increasing craving, and replacing healthy intimacy with compulsive behavior. • Healing Through Truth and Community – Freedom begins with honesty, vulnerability, and the willingness to come out of hiding in safe spiritual communities.

Resources Mentioned: • Song of Songs 1–2 – Exploring Biblical romance, affirmations of beauty, and desire with restraint. • Genesis 1–3 – The roots of ingratitude, idolatry, and human fall through disobedience and self-rule. • Romans 1 – Paul's warning of God "giving us over" to our lusts when we refuse to glorify or thank Him. • Ephesians 4 – The call to reject sensuality and reclaim God-honoring desires through the renewing of the mind.

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Music by Timothy John Stafford – Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

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Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

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