When Tommy was in kindergarten his dad said with a nudge, “Hey, that Katie is pretty cute isn’t she?”
When Tommy was in the 6th grade he went to his first school dance. His older brother told him when he’s slow dancing to touch her butt. He did.
When Tommy was in 7th grade he watched porn on his buddy’s phone. It was all he could think about.
When Tommy was in the 8th grade he went to the movies with a girl who let him go up her shirt.
When Tommy was in the 9th grade the guys in the locker room bragged about sleeping with girls. They rode him for not going all the way yet. The next Friday he met a girl at a party after the game. She was drunk and flirtatious. Tommy had sex with her.
This is the story of The American Boy.
Friends, we have set this ball in motion. We have made masculinity dependent on sexual prowess. We define boys with girls. We have allowed the objectification of young women. Girls have become something to look at rather than someone to cherish. We have purposed women by their ability to arouse. Lust is fed. Sex is expected.
So what? Why does it matter? It matters because God says:
Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Col. 3:5
It isn’t about safe sex. It isn’t about preventing STDs or reducing unwanted pregnancy. This is ultimately about obeying a God who created the universe. It is about surrendering to an Almighty. It is about pursing holiness because the Eternal says, “Be holy for I AM HOLY.”
“I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman.” Job 31:1
We have created a generation of lewd, raunchy, unholy children. So what do we do now? We need to:
1. Stop It
Stop asking our little boys if they think little girls are cute. Dad’s and brothers, stop winking and nudging when a hot girl walks by. Stop making what a girl thinks the measure of success. Stop judging women by their breast size. Stop expecting that they are going to do it because boys will be boys.
2. Protect
We have to intentionally protect our boys from sexual immorality. We need to protect horny, hormonal teenage boys from temptation instead of leading them to the slaughter. Protect them from porn. They don’t have to search for it. It searches for them. Protect them from the school gym where the lights are low and they are encouraged to press their bodies against sweet-smelling girls. Don’t count on chaperons to do your job. Protect them from the lure of a dark room alone with a girl. They aren’t safe just because they are just watching a movie in your basement. Protect our sons from girls who will aggressively pursue and offer themselves.
“So she seduced him with her pretty speech and enticed him with her flattery.” Prov. 7:21
3. Nuture
Men grow men. Our sons need strong men telling them they’ve got what it takes. Our sons need us to tell them they are strong, smart and capable. Our sons need to know they are real men because they have integrity not because they conquered the challenge of an illusive female.
4. Adventure
Feed his need for excitement. Let him live a real adventure. Show him the thrill of following Jesus is totally better than the thrill of chasing some girl.
5. Intend Him For Marriage
Speak highly of marriage. Let him see you live a fun, fulfilling marriage. Purpose him for one woman. Purpose him for holiness. It is possible!
Solomon says it best.
Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you. Rejoice in the wife of your youth.
She is a loving deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts satisfy you always.
May you always be captivated by her love.
Why be captivated, my son, by an immoral woman, or fondle the breasts of a promiscuous woman? Prov. 5:18-20
Amen
The American Girl: Princess to Promiscuous… Why Our Daughters Are Having Sex