Create In Me A Pure Heart: Answers For Struggling Women

by Steve Gallagher, Kathy Gallagher

She who gives herself to wanton pleasure, observed the Apostle Paul, is dead even while she lives. These ominous words perfectly articulate the living hell in which many Christian women are currently living. At first glance, one might think that there are only a few women involved in sexual sin scattered throughout the Body of Christ. But statistics penetrates much deeper than anybody might have imagined.For instance, experts believe that 17% of Christian women are addicted to some form of sexual sin. Internet professionals claim that women account for 28% of all visitors to pornographic websites.The truth is, Christian women are not only becoming increasingly involved in traditional forms of sexual sin such as fornication and adultery, but they are now branching out into new activities such as lesbianism and cyber-sex. According to a recent report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 11% of women surveyed have had a sexual experience with another woman, compared with only 4% of women in a similar 1992 survey.Clearly, sexual sin is no longer only a man?'s dilemma. However, the root causes for sexual sin differ between the sexes. While men are apt to be aroused visually, women tend to become stimulated through their emotions. Women almost always attach emotions to their sexual activity. Very few women can become intimate with a man without some kind of emotional bond being in place. It has been said that men give love to receive sex in return, while women give sex to receive love in return. This desire for an emotional connection with another person is one of the primary motivations for women who become involved in sexual sin. Another contributing factor can be the craving for male attention. The recent explosion in popularity of cosmetic surgery is evidence of a growing trend among women to be considered sexually desirable. Other women become promiscuous as a result of indulging themselves in romantic fantasies. The huge numbers of women viewing soap operas and reading romance novels are a telltale sign of how this fantasy life has entrenched itself in female America. Many of these women become so fixated on the hope of finding Prince Charming that they end up having sex or committing adultery with multiple men. Moreover, this trend is not limited to adult women. Young girls are being reared in a culture which continually pushes promiscuity. Girls learn early on that the primary source of their value as a human being comes by way of their looks and sexiness and act provocatively. Teen icons, such as Britney Spears, teach young girls to think sensually, dress seductively and act provocatively. Fashion designers market sexy lines of clothing with risqu ads. Television producers teach girls to associate free, unrestrained sexual expression with success, happiness, power, and love. Considering all of these growing trends, it is little wonder that sexual sin has dramatically increased within the female population of the United States. What then is the answer for these struggling women? True Christianity has always provided both a clear-cut path to victory over sin, and a life of fulfillment.Create in Me a Pure Heart offers candid wisdom, sensitive counsel and unvarnished truth. It instantly connects with the heart of every struggling woman, affirming that there is freedom from the shame of sexual sin and a path to purity even in the midst of our sexualized culture. Packed with sound biblical truth and the God-given answer to overcoming habitual sin, every chapter breathes hope to the reader.Steve Gallagher?'s best-selling book, At the Altar of Sexual Idolatry, has helped thousands of men overcome sexual sin. Create in Me a Pure Heart extends this liberating legacy to struggling women.

Genres: Christian, Counselling

272 pages, Paperback

First published September 13, 2007

About the author

Steve Gallagher is the Founder and Chairman of the Board of Pure Life Ministries. He is a prolific writer, having authored 12 books, including the best-selling At the Altar of Sexual Idolatry. He is also a regularly featured columnist in both print and web media. Steve holds an Associates of Arts degree from Sacramento City College and a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Ministry from Master’s International School of Divinity. He is also a certified Biblical Counselor through the International Association of Biblical Counselors (IABC) in Denver, CO.

Reviews

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a mixed reaction to this book and I'm still processing how best use this material as I minister to certain women. It's diagnosis and prescription is sound but it's tone could potentially cause some women to put it down before they're able to grab hold of the truth of what is said. There are times when it feels condemning versus redemptive and yet, I know that redemption is it's ultimate goal and continuing in the material makes that clear. Holiness is held in high regard and sin is cast in the damning light that it deserves. Scripture is applied soundly and wisely as the root of sexual sin and the path to overcome it is explored. I could feel God's presence as I read this and I could see how God has worked in people to bring them to freedom through the process examined within. And yet, I do still have some reservation.

[Deborah Hodgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing and honest read about the sexual sin that women face today. Things that I never felt I could ask or talk about are mentioned in this book and has guided me to seeking out the community I needed in order to fight and win against the sin of my flesh. Highly recommend any women or women who counsel other women that struggle sexual sin!