Not Even a Hint : Guarding Your Heart Against Lust

Rating:
Summary: A blessing!
Review: I found this book to be the best book I have read on the subject, and the material to be the best I'm aware of. Josh Harris has served the church so well in providing the biblical truth about lust: God abhors it. It is a vile, destructive and selfish sin. Joshua remedially goes through the specifics of it in an appropriate way to uncover all of its hiding places and guises. He then proceeds to lead the reader to Scripture memorization, mediation and application that is carried out in the local church as a solution.

I commend this work for being gracious, yet ruthless in its pursuit of sin. 17th century Puritan John Owen (who wrote "Temptaion and Sin" as well as inspired "Enemy Within"), would no doubt be pleased to see lust dispayed in all its ravaging and evil forms. To say that Josh is being ruthless in the pursuit of lust I think would be accurate, and would commend that as Biblical.

There is no need for exegesis in this book because it is Biblically clear that we are to be holy people, set apart for the Lord. Basing the title of the book off of a passage in the NIV was wise and within the liberty given to believers. Using the ESV translation "must not even be named" would have made for an akward title to a book. But "not even a hint" means the same thing as "must not even be named." Should you disagree, consult commentary by wise scholars and then email Josh with your wisdom. Regarding the comment that he has no support from Biblical scholars, please note the remarks in the front page of the book by Dr. John Piper (Author, "Justification of God", "Counted Righteous in Christ" and many others) as well as by Dr. Al Mohler, president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (both of whom are on the Council of Biblical Manhood and Womanhood) as well as from Jerry Bridges ("Pursuit of Holiness", and "The Discipline of Grace").

As well, Josh made no attempt to say that sexual thoughts and desire outside marriage is bad. I think a few people have equated sexuality and desire with lust. Josh serves us by devoting a good section to why that isn't true. So to those who say he discourages passionately enjoying sex in marriage because of his hatred of sin (particularily lust), I would encourage you to re-read the book with the reminder that lust is a perversion of a beautiful and glorious thing. No sin (lust, hatred, jealousy, revenge, bitterness, pride, etc) should be tolerated under any circumstance. To say that we need to let ourselves "off the hook" with our humanity is to make provision for the flesh and encourage us to gratify our sinful desires, thus offending our Holy God and grieving His Spirit.

I heartily reccommend this book to all: men and women, Christian and Pagan!

Rating:
Summary: Grace oriented
Review: I'm so thankful for this book. When I read this book I didn't finish with a weight of condemnation but a greater love for the cross and the Saviour. Josh clearly makes it not about sex but about LUST the sin of putting your desire in something other then God. I know in my own heart I often respond to lust in my life to think that I can't even notice a pretty girl.. "It's not lust to be attracted to someone or notice that he or she is good looking." Its all about letting creation point you back to the creator, not yourself.

Thank you Joshua. After my first experience with I kissed dating goodbye I knew we had a gifted author in the making. Each book he has written continues to direct me more and more back to the cross and to the life of Jesus and what he accomplished.

I recommend this book to everyone, no matter what stage of life you are in.

Rating:
Summary: Incredible book!
Review: In this insightful book, Josh Harris really explores the heart issues behind lust and related issues. He clearly shows how it interacts with the whole heart and life, and really teaches some new stuff as well! I totally agree that lust will be the defining battle of Christian men and women in our generation (I'm 22). Very encouraging, simple, and hard to put down. Feel free to jump around and read some of the chapters first...you'll end up reading the others in order afterwards anyway! I thought his IKDG was good, his sequel BMG was better, but this is by far his best book. I highly recommend this book to any young (or older) single Christian I know. Get a copy for yourself!

Rating:
Summary: Christianity affects all of life
Review: This book is a very nice read. It is very concise and makes the reader want to keep reading.

As far as content, I was proud of my fellow brother in Christ to take such a hard Biblical stand against lust. The world thinks that it is ok, but God does not.

It is time that we as Christians take stock in our personal lives and see if we are living, "...being conformed to this world's pattern, or being transformed by the renewing of your mind." Rom. 12:2

I was impressed with Joshua's dealings with this subject and his slam against legalism. If there is one thing I hate is a false righteousness, and Harris makes sure that the reader understand that this righteousness does not come from us, but from Christ.

Not only that, but he makes sure that we understand that it is our love for God because of what He has done for us that is to motivate us to good works.

Youth today are being attacked by the world, and so many in the Christian circle say its okay to have a little lust, but I would rather see what God has to say in his holy and inerrant word, keep yourselves from all sexual immorality.

Thanks Joshua for treating this subject so well.

Rating:
Summary: The best book on lust I've ever read
Review: This is a powerful book on dealing with sexual temptation. Joshua Harris does a fantastic job of setting every man's battle in its proper biblical and theological context. He is not soft on sin, but neither does he lead one to discouragement or despair. He understands that a right relationship with God is by grace through faith alone, but he knows that the faith which justifies also sanctifies. He is candid and honest, yet remains discreet, writing a book which is appropriate for and targeted to both men and women. He avoids setting hard and fast rules, advocating that we develop "a custom-tailored plan" for fighting against lust, but he provides plenty of practical ideas about how to make progress. He addresses sensitive issues (like masturbation) as well as cultural issues (like media and dress). Best of all, he encourages open accountability ("lone rangers are dead rangers") and provides an excellent chapter on how to fight the lying promises of lust with the true and satisfying promises of God. Drawing on the wisdom of John Piper's Future Grace, and C. J. Mahaney's The Cross-centered Life, this is one of the best books on sanctification I've seen, and the best book on the particular subject of sexual temptation I've ever read. I highly recommend this to both men and women, single or married. Thanks, Josh for sharing your heart with us.