Paul says that not everything is beneficial or necessary. I have the right to do anything,” you say–but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”–but not everything is constructive. 1 Corinthians 10:23. That is how I feel about “mommy porn” or as I like to call it smut. I never thought about it like that when I was reading romance novels but it is definitely like that. If my husband was watching porn I would definitely feel bad. I started wondering how he felt about me reading romance novels or books with graphic sex scenes. He didn’t like it. He thought I wanted my life to be like the books I was reading. That isn’t true. It was entertainment but then I started to thinking about the image I was portraying to others. I hadn’t published this blog yet but it seemed hypocritical of me.

I didn’t feel comfortable with the books I had on display in my living room and if I didn’t feel right about telling people what I was reading, then that was a problem. The books you read are a reflection of you. It lets people know your interests and how you spend your time. If I’m spending more time with God shouldn’t my hobbies reflect that? So I went cold turkey back in August. I sold almost all my “smut” to half price books and I started to delete them off my kindle. Then I fasted fiction books for 21 days in September. It was really hard for me but good because it opened me up to different genres. I can honestly say I haven’t missed it. It has made me do more research into what I’m reading and really assess what I’m taking in. My biggest weakness in smut would probably be tv or music. It’s hard to get away from them but even in things that are supposed to be family friendly they is still cursing and sexual innuendo. Music will always be hard because I enjoy a trap beat every now and again. I think moderation is ok. I work in a high school and I think it’s important to know what they are listening to and watching. I read more than I listen to music or books, that’s the area I felt most convicted in, so that’s what I cut out.

I know people are wondering what’s the big deal with reading books with sex scenes or cursing. For you they that may not be a deal and that’s great. However, think about how your spouse or significant other would feel. Including outside images in your relationship is never a good idea and if your single, it definitely may not be a good idea. That’s another conversation for another day.  Plain and simple God doesn’t like it and in spiritual growth you want to do more of things that God likes and not just the things that you like. That can sometimes be difficult but certainly better for you in the long run.