This Morning I woke up with several song messages, and after time in prayer, The Lord has revealed the meaning and the warning. Please take heed.
I will preface by saying, unfortunately, this will upset some people who do not want to acknowledge the truth. But I urge you to take this in prayer for yourself and ask God to reveal in His word what I am sharing.
The Song Messages I received, to me, seemed strange as they are songs I have not really heard or remembered since they were popular on the airwaves, in their day. And secondly, the content is not anything I would choose to listen to in the years I have been born again. But, they are a message for a specific demographic of young, church going singles, as they speak to a lifestyle that is very accepted, but not pleasing in the eyes of God.
As I said, this will likely upset some but, I must be obedient and the body of Christ must know the truth about this...
The Song Message Puzzle:
"Lover Boy" by Billy Ocean
"Lover Girl" by Teena Marie
"Wicked Garden" by Stone Temple Pilots
The first two songs seem self explanatory and they are. They both speak about sexual relationships.
The third song is also about a sexual relationship, clearly, but I will get explain further in a moment.
I think it is safe to assume most people know that the "Christian faith" is very much against infidelity when it comes to married couples in the body of Christ. And this is truth, as we are taught clearly in The Bible that marriage in the eyes of God is sacred and very special. For God Himself designed this union between man and woman, for His plan and purpose. (See Genesis 2:22-24; Ephesians 5:22-33; Matthew 19:4-6; 1 Corinthians 7:1-16; Mark 10:6-9)
But where I think people may not understand, or rather perhaps some of the church has not been very clear, is what is expected of professing single Christians who are dating.
First I can't imagine the difficulties that young men and women are facing in the world today, especially professing Christians who are looking for a spouse. Please know that we are praying for you!!! Unfortunately in many churches, the culture of the world is intertwined with the church. Or worse, the church has assimilated with the world culture. And the result is a dangerous mixture of
truth, and lies of the world, leading to very confused and 'lukewarm' Christianity. So in this regard it is no wonder that the issue I am addressing is common and plentiful.
The issue is a lack of boundaries in courtship. I talk in detail about courtship in another post. But for now I will just say: For the Christian, courtship is designed to bring about marriage, but it must not become of perversion of the true biblical union.
If you are dating someone, you should be practicing a set of boundaries. To me more direct and specific: No sex before marriage!
I think that there may be a misconception that ( pick a scenario): 'we're practically married already'; 'well, we live together now, so it's a common law marriage"; or ' he is a Christian so I know he will be faithful'; etc, means that this lifestyle is ok. But no, it is not ok. In fact, it is not only against God's design for union-which should be reason enough to refrain- but it is has serious and
often deadly consequences.
(Read Ephesians 5:5; Hebrews 13:4; Revelation 21:8)
Read 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
In this passage, we find the apostle Paul addressing sexual immorality in the church (of Corinth), and a very stern warning about the reality, dangers and consequences of this sin. The same warning applies to the church today.
What exactly is sexual immorality?
The short version: It is sexual activity outside of the biblical marriage covenant.
1 Corinthians 6:12-20 speaks specifically about the physical act of sexual immorality but there are many verses that speak of this sin before it gets to this point (Exodus 20:14; Matthew 5:27-28; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5; Mark 7:20-23; Matthew 15:17-20; Proverbs 5:3-23; )That is, lusting after after a woman(or man), mentally or emotionally, will fall under this umbrella.
Again, I feel the need to emphasize, the modern church (as a whole) has not taught us very well about even the basics of biblical womanhood. There are many facets to this, but I'm speaking specifically to how we as Christian women are to carry ourselves and conduct our lives in relation to dating.
As recently as this year, I sat in a church service where the keyboardist of the worship band continually came dressed in revealing attire, namely skirts or dresses way above the knee! I am not speaking about fashion. I am talking about the fact that this young girl is representing not only herself as a Christian, but also her church. And more importantly she was literally on a platform representing Christ. The best thing I could say is that the platform was not any higher. And my heart went to all the young and old men who were really there to exult The Lord. Awful!
Admittedly, before I was born again- I had no regard for how I dressed. That is, if I was modeling in a fashion show and was told to wear ____, I did, because I had no moral code or conduct and nothing telling me not to present myself that way. But as a born again believer, I do have a preference and a code of modest fashion that I live by, especially as a married woman.
And while, I do not expect every Christian woman to wear long skirts and head coverings- I certainly don't expect to see a half dressed girl leading the church into "praise and worship".
But this is where it begins- how we represent ourselves as Christian women.
If you are calling yourself a Christian woman, then you must know (based on scripture) how a Christian woman lives, including the outer self.
And Christian women are not to flaunt their looks or bodies, flirt, or live with their boyfriends, engaging in a marriage-type relationship.
It is for your own good and protection that God has designed it this way.
Would you be surprised to know that having a sexual relationship with someone involves more than just your body?
The Bible says that two become one flesh in a sexual relationship, even outside of marriage.
Yes, the word flesh refers to our bodies, but it also refers to our souls (mind, will, emotions).
In essence, whatever you connect yourself to physically will also involve an exchange in the soul part of you.
In a marriage relationship this is beautiful and powerful, as it was God's design for us to multiply.
Think about how children have these beautiful characteristics and features of their parents.
This is how it was supposed to be.
Going back to the song message: "Wicked Garden"
Just looking at the title we see the stark contrast between the two words "wicked" and garden", yet here, it is one phrase.
I know the word 'wicked' has over the years been used as a positive or cool thing, but don't be fooled. There is nothing good about 'wicked'.
This song is very intense and is a perfect example of the twisted perversion of sexual relationship.
Many of 'STP's songs have sexually explicit lyrics, if I remember correctly. But this one is disturbing in it's persuasive seduction that preys on a woman's psyche and emotions.
The final lyrics beg the question: "Are you scared of life?".
As if to insinuate that not allowing (singer) to "run through your 'wicked garden'" means...you're afraid of living?!
What does that even mean?!
My understanding in this song message puzzle is this:
Lover girl + Lover boy = Wicked Garden
A "lover" does not just refer to adulterous relationships (which are obviously sinful and against God's
design).
A "lover" is someone you are intimately involved with- in this case, outside of marriage.
And if you are a professing Christian woman, the only "lover" you are blessed in having is your own husband.
As stated before, this may not sit well with many, especially if you're in a relationship.
But there is hope as you turn in repentance to God for committing the sin of sexual immorality. If you're boyfriend is a professing Christian, he too can repent. And you can take your relationship to The Healer and live life His way from now on.
If you're boyfriend is not a Christian, this may be a moment to live out you're faith by taking a bold step toward a God- turning away from sexual immorality. You may lose the relationship with your boyfriend, but what you will gain in a life that is God-fearing and Christ honoring is far surpassing. Pray for him to also turn to The Lord.
God has a special order and design for all He has created. And whether or not we agree, like it, or understand- His ways are higher than ours. And His plan, purpose and word will stand.
I am praying for everyone who is in this situation. If you are a Christian woman, please join in prayer for these young people. It is sad and unfortunate that many young women do not have the guidance they need to lead the godly lives they are called to because of a lack of biblical, 'Titus 2' mentorship that is clearly outlined for the church to adhere to. But that is another topic for another time.
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