Deep Dive with Alex & Ingrid

Porn is Progressive. But So is Sanctification.

Welcome to the Deep Dive! In this episode, we unpack Alan Sharpe's powerful devotional, "Porn is Progressive, But So is Sanctification," found in his book Make No Provision. Sharpe presents a stark, binary choice: life is never static; you are either progressing deeper into sin or actively advancing in holiness. He grounds his argument in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, which he sees as God's "explicit non-negotiable directive" for sexual purity, leaving "no room for subjective interpretation". Sharpe describes progressive pornography as a spiraling escalation, functioning like an addiction where users require "harder forms" of content. This progression moves from men's magazines to pornographic websites, then to the dark web, ultimately culminating in "acting out on their fantasies," potentially leading to criminal acts like voyeurism, exhibitionism, rape, or child molestation. Conversely, progressive sanctification is an "active, continuous verb," a "process of advancing in holiness" and "continuous advancement". This path requires "daily discipline" and "intentional disciplines" such as prayer, scripture study, and self-control, leading one to be "set apart, holy, obedient". Sharpe argues there is "no neutral ground." The ultimate consequences are eternal: continued progressive pornography leads to "eventually end up in hell," while daily pursuit of sanctification means you "will progress in holiness and not be ashamed at Christ's coming." He emphasizes personal responsibility and "daily preventive action" as essential for navigating these paths. This episode is based on the book by Alan Sharpe, Make No Provision: 365 Kicks in the Pants for the Christian Man Who Wants to Conquer Porn Biblically.   Read the devotional discussed in this episode on Medium [https://medium.com/make-no-provision/porn-is-progressive-but-so-is-sanctification-ee1ec8b77910]. Buy the book on Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/Make-No-Provision-Christian-biblically/dp/B0C1JGTSS9].

Put Lust to Death

This episode dives into Alan Sharpe's impactful devotional, "Putting Lust to Death," from his book Make No Provision. It tackles the deeply personal struggle against intrusive, inappropriate thoughts and destructive desires. Key Takeaways: • The battle against sexual immorality is fundamentally internal, fought within our own minds, not just against external triggers. Moving to a cave won't help; the "kindling" is already inside us. • Drawing from Colossians 3:5, Paul issues an uncompromising command: "Therefore, put to death your members which are on the earth." This is figurative language, meaning to utterly annihilate your fallen earthly nature – the sinful thoughts and desires, not physical body parts. • Specific "members" to put to death include fornication (sexual immorality, fantasizing), uncleanness (impurity, mental filth), passion (lust, intense longing), evil desire (cultivated harmful inclinations), and covetousness (greed, which Paul calls idolatry). These are internal states that demand control and dethroning. • The practical strategy is to "change the subject". When an unwanted thought or image arises, actively replace it immediately with something holy and pure, a cherished memory, scripture, or a virtuous image. This starves the negative thought of attention. • This is not a one-and-done action; it's an ongoing, lifelong campaign requiring constant vigilance, as "your baptism didn't drown the devil." It's about developing mental and spiritual muscles through consistent effort. • These principles extend beyond sexual immorality to other destructive desires like anxiety, resentment, self-critical thoughts, or covetousness for status. This episode is based on the book by Alan Sharpe, Make No Provision: 365 Kicks in the Pants for the Christian Man Who Wants to Conquer Porn Biblically.   Read the devotional discussed in this episode on Medium [https://medium.com/make-no-provision/put-lust-to-death-1f95b2baceda]. Buy the book on Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/Make-No-Provision-Christian-biblically/dp/B0C1JGTSS9].

What to Say When Tempted Sexually

Dive into a challenging but vital topic: conquering sexual temptation from a biblical perspective. This episode explores Alan Sharpe's devotional, "What to Say When Tempted Sexually," part of his larger work, "Make No Provision". Sharpe confronts the "seeming addiction" and "seeming powerlessness" many experience, describing it as an "endless loop" of "sins of defeat" where fleeting pleasure leads to profound despair. His solution is a direct, biblically-focused strategy: memorize and recite scripture when temptation strikes. The core "weapon" is Philippians 4:13 – "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". Sharpe teaches listeners to parse this verse into four powerful truths: "I can" conquer "all sins" "through Christ" "who strengthens me". This "bankable truth" transforms powerlessness into a pathway to victory, offering strength and encouragement. The key is not just knowing it, but actively "using it"—engaging with Christ's provided strength through intentional action. This is a hands-on guide for a profound internal struggle. This episode is based on the book by Alan Sharpe, Make No Provision: 365 Kicks in the Pants for the Christian Man Who Wants to Conquer Porn Biblically.   Read the devotional discussed in this episode on Medium [https://medium.com/make-no-provision/what-to-say-when-tempted-sexually-13095ea12470]. Buy the book on Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/Make-No-Provision-Christian-biblically/dp/B0C1JGTSS9].

What’s Your Instrument of Unrighteousness?

In this episode, we dive into Alan Sharpe's powerful devotional, "What's Your Instrument of Unrighteousness?" from his book, "Make No Provision: 365 Kicks in the Pants for the Christian man who wants to conquer pornography biblically". We challenge the conventional wisdom that overcoming sin is "all in your head." Sharpe argues that victory significantly involves what you do with your actual body parts, your physical self. He roots this direct, almost confrontational approach in Scripture, specifically Romans 6:13, where "members" are interpreted not as passive body parts, but as active instruments, tools, or even weapons. Sharpe emphasizes the present continuous tense of "present," meaning "do not go on presenting", highlighting that offering our body parts to sin is an ongoing, voluntary choice. This shifts the battle from internal struggle to concrete, physical actions and continuous active intervention. Sharpe's "two-pronged attack" for victory over sexual sin combines devotion to Christ with daily preventive action. His ultimate message is clear and empowering: "Stop volunteering, stop offering, and you'll stop sinning." This isn't just about resisting thoughts, but actively withholding our physical "instruments" from unrighteousness. This episode is based on the book by Alan Sharpe, Make No Provision: 365 Kicks in the Pants for the Christian Man Who Wants to Conquer Porn Biblically.   Read the devotional discussed in this episode on Medium [https://medium.com/make-no-provision/whats-your-instrument-of-unrighteousness-174bb845f585]. Buy the book on Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/Make-No-Provision-Christian-biblically/dp/B0C1JGTSS9].

Are You Loyal to Lust?

Welcome to a profound deep dive exploring Alan Sharpe's devotional, "Are You Loyal to Lust?" from his book "Make No Provision: 365 Kicks in the Pants for the Christian Man Who Wants to Conquer Pornography Biblically". We confront the raw reality of struggling with pornography and sexual temptation, acknowledging the feeling of being trapped and the aftermath of feeling "dirty, ashamed, deceitful, and defeated". Sharpe argues this grip exists because we may have unwittingly allowed lust to become "sovereign" in our lives, giving orders and calling the shots. The episode unpacks the transformative shift for believers: through Christ, sin's reign has been broken, and Christ becomes our true sovereign. Drawing on Romans 6:12, "Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body that you should obey it in its lusts", the core message is that you have power over temptation. It "isn't irresistible" because, as a believer filled with the Holy Spirit, Christ is your sovereign. The call to action is to make an "act of your will"—physical, mental, relational, or preparatory—to actively assert Christ's sovereignty. Ultimately, you are "allowed to be disloyal to lust" and disobey sexual temptation, embracing the freedom Christ has won. This episode is based on the book by Alan Sharpe, Make No Provision: 365 Kicks in the Pants for the Christian Man Who Wants to Conquer Porn Biblically.   Read the devotional discussed in this episode on Medium [https://medium.com/make-no-provision/are-you-loyal-to-lust-dc7804f4601b]. Buy the book on Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/Make-No-Provision-Christian-biblically/dp/B0C1JGTSS9].