Toxic Desires

When my wife and I stumbled upon a movie that is right up our alley: mature couple seeks counseling for marital issues. We were intrigued and decided to watch it.

In the story, the wife feels neglected by her emotionally distant, boring husband, who prioritizes work over their relationship. His lack of interest in investing anything in the marriage leads them to live separate, isolated and lonely lives.

Starving for love and affection his wife seeks and consults a 'sex' counselor recommended by a friend. This counselor uses unconventional methods during a two-day intensive program. Thanks to the wife's persistence, the husband reluctantly joins the therapy sessions. However, he remains uncooperative and emotionally distant during their exercises at home which include holding hands and hugging while lying in bed.

Frustrated because of lack of any loving response by the husband, the following session opens as the counselor explores the husband's sexual fantasies, uncovering his client's attraction to his female neighbor. The wife was shocked!

This counseling approach; this revelation troubled me profoundly. It felt like the counselor was administering poison to the couple! Instead of promoting unity and wholeness, it encouraged infidelity and neglectected entirely the importance of relational fulfillment while encouraging self-gratification. In an era of moral relativism, this advice undermines the essence of trust, shared purpose, and genuine love that form the foundation of a fulfilling marriage.

We personally know that satisfaction and joy in marriage stem from an intimate relationship built on trust, shared goals, and love that no fetish or idol can substitute. The guidance in this film dismisses these vital aspects and encourages self-indulgence.

It is scary to imagine how many viewers fell for this message of self-gratification!

In a world challenged by moral decay, we are reminded in Titus 2:11-12 “The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people. It educates us so that we can live sensible, ethical, and godly lives right now by rejecting ungodly lives and the desires of this world.”

‭‭Titus‬ ‭2‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭CEB‬‬

Drs. JM & Anita Arrunategui / Canva pro

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