In the 1980s, self-help books popularized the term “codependent” to describe dysfunctional relationships in which an individual excessively relies upon others for worth, approval, and self-identity.

As image bearers of God, desiring intimate relationships is in our spiritual DNA—yet only God can offer us unfailing love. We can have a taste of love like this in human relationships, but spouses, parents, children, friends, siblings, and mentors are supposed to point us to God’s love, not hijack our heart’s devotion to him.

So if you’re stuck seeking love, attention, and affirmation in a codependent relationship, how do you build relationships that are Christ-centered?

In today’s episode, Ellen Mary Dykas encourages us to look to the Bible to understand what’s really going on in our hearts and why the gospel offers us all that we need to grow into healthy and holy people in our relationships.

Read along → https://harvestusa.org/codependent-no-more-encouragement-for-keeping-christ-central-in-our-relationships/

Why should I tell my spouse about past sexual sins?

Today’s episode from Caitlin McCaffrey encourages men and women who have sinned against their spouse sexually to take an important step in their journey of repentance: writing, with thoughtfulness and prayer, the nature and history of your sexual sin to share with your spouse. We call this a full disclosure.

She discusses why writing a full disclosure is so important for your marriage and pursuit of repentance, how a full disclosure serves your spouse even though it’s painful experience, and how the promises of Jesus give you strength and courage to take this costly step.

If you’ve sinned against your spouse sexually, Jesus is inviting you to walk in the light.

Read along here → https://harvestusa.org/full-disclosure-why-should-i-tell-my-spouse-about-past-sins/

Have you ever felt the tension between what God says about himself and your daily, lived experience? Have you wondered if the comfort God provides will truly be enough for you in your temptation and pain?

Caitlin McCaffrey offers a simple encouragement for those of us wrestling with these questions: call upon Him and see.

Today’s episode of the Harvest USA podcast encourages us to forsake false comforts and relinquish control so that we might receive the comfort offered to us in Christ. And as we learn to trust in God’s promises by faith, we discover that God really will comfort us.

Read along as you listen to today’s episode → https://harvestusa.org/will-god-really-comfort-me/

In Harvest USA’s parents and family ministry, we continue to hear the same painful refrain from parents whose children identify as LGBTQ+: “I don’t know who I can tell.”

They feel alone and isolated, carrying what can feel like the most devastating news of their lives. Many are sinking under the weight of grief, fear, and confusion, yet they hesitate to turn to the very place where they should find refuge—the church.

Today’s episode from Joy Worrell offers a call to the church to bear the burdens of these grieving parents. She offers simple and practical steps you and your church can take to care well for parents through humble companionship, compassionate listening, long-term presence, and regular prayer.

Read along: https://harvestusa.org/walking-alongside-parents-of-lgbtq-identifying-children-a-call-to-the-church/

How do your childhood experiences relate to your current struggle with sexual sin?

Our childhood experiences impact how we all think, desire, believe, and act as adults. At Harvest USA, we believe that understanding where we’ve come from, what has influenced and shaped us, and how to apply the gospel to those experiences is absolutely vital for repentance and growth amidst our current struggles.

Today’s episode from Harvest USA President Mark Sanders offers two ways in which a growing understanding of the shaping influences of your childhood can help you battle sin and temptation today.

Read along: https://harvestusa.org/your-childhood-experience-matters/

Dads…talking to your son about his body is one of the most important jobs you have. Silence is not an option.

The world is eager to tell your son what his body is for and how he should use it. Often in ways that displease God and ultimately harm him. But God placed you in his life to tell him a better story about his body and how to use it for God glorifying purposes.

Today’s episode from Stephen Moss encourages to engage these crucial conversations with their teenage sons. He shares five false stories the world is already telling your son about his body and the better story God tells. The story that will help become the kind of man who offers his body in sacrificial love for others out of love for God.

Read along → https://harvestusa.org/talking-to-your-son-about-his-body/

Every day we are tempted to lust after people.

It can be discouraging to feel overwhelmed by attractive people who pull your heart in unhealthy directions. But what causes lust?

In today’s episode, Mark Sanders reveals that there is more going on when we struggle with lust than what we see with our eyes. Covetousness, insecurity, and how we understand ourselves in comparison to others all factor into how we’re specifically tempted by lust. Mark teaches us that the solution to our struggles with lust require not only the guarding of our eyes, but faith to embrace who Christ if for us and our secure identity in Him.

Read along with today’s episode: https://harvestusa.org/the-insecurity-of-lust/

Should I enter a residential treatment center to deal with my porn addiction?

This is a question our Founder, John Freeman, receives fairly often. Seeking residential treatment for pornography or sexual addiction requires a lot of wisdom.

Today’s episode offers seven criteria to think through if you (or someone you love) are considering a residential treatment option.

Read along → https://harvestusa.org/when-is-a-residential-treatment-center-appropriate-for-pornography-or-sexual-addiction/

What do you do when someone attends your youth group who openly identifies as gay?

What do you do when students and parents in your youth ministry have different opinions about sexuality and gender, especially when those opinions contradict the Bible?

How do you create a culture in your youth group where young men and women who are struggling with sexual sin, same-sex attraction, or gender distress feel comfortable sharing those struggles with trusted disciplers and mentors?

If a youth pastor isn’t prepared to address tough topics related to sexuality and gender, questions like this can throw his ministry into turmoil and confusion.

Today’s episode from Harvest USA founder John Freeman offers a plea to youth pastors to take up the serious responsibility of equipping students, youth leaders, and parents how to understand biblical sexuality and compassionately minister to struggling youth.

Read along: https://harvestusa.org/youth-ministry-isnt-for-the-faint-hearted/

How can the church help people with intersex conditions?

The sexuality conversation in the church often revolves around topics that are more mainstream than intersex conditions. Battling the pornography pandemic, holding fast to a biblical view of marriage and relationships, and raising kids in a tech- and AI-saturated society provide much to keep us busy. But we must study, learn how to walk alongside, and teach and disciple our people to think biblically and minister compassionately to people with intersex conditions too.

Today’s episode from Ellen Mary Dykas helps churches care for and understand those with intersex conditions using the word of God as her guide. She defines why intersex conditions are different from cultural gender categories, shares why those with intersex conditions often experience suffering, and shares four steps to help churches expand their application of the gospel into the lives of families and individuals who need care.

Understanding the medical condition is one thing; loving the person is another. If your church wants to grow in understanding and caring for those with intersex conditions, listen to this edition of The Harvest USA Podcast!

Resources mentioned in today’s episode:

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Klinefelter and Other X and Y Chromosome Variations Program → https://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/klinefelter-and-other-x-and-y-chromosome-variations-program

The Gospel Coalition’s review of Intersex in Christ: Ambiguous Biology and the Gospel by Jennifer Anne Cox → https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/themelios/review/intersex-in-christ-ambiguous-biology-and-the-gospel/?queryID=d1e387c4ccb1e8eb2619f80dd67f3967

The Gospel Coalition’s review of Beyond Male and Female? A Theological Account of Intersex Embodiment by Sam Aston: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/themelios/review/beyond-male-and-female-a-theological-account-of-intersex-embodiment/?queryID=d1e387c4ccb1e8eb2619f80dd67f3967

You can read along here: https://harvestusa.org/how-can-the-church-love-people-with-intersex-conditions/