Create In Me A Pure Heart
by Steve & Kathy Gallagher
When I first started this study, I almost quit, thinking it was only for women struggling with sexual addiction. I'm so glad I stayed—it truly changed my life. I thought the problem was in my head, but it was actually in my heart. I highly recommend this book and its accompanying workbook. Every man and woman should read it—it's liberating!
Nearly every young woman has an intoxicating dream of being swept off her feet by Prince Charming. Hopes of romance can be strong that she may spend hours fantasizing. These daydreams seem harmless enough, but sadly they can tear down a young woman's resolve to remain emotionally pure. Emotional purity is reserving your affections by refusing to give your heart and thoughts over someone to whom you are not married (or committed to marry.)
I wanted security, and I thought that it was to be found in a man who would draw me to himself, lay my head on his chest and become my protector, my sustainer for life. This ideal was the epitome of life. It was all I wanted.
Throughout this book we will discuss how a Christian woman can break free from what can be a powerful "need" for a man's affection through the experience of repentance and maintaining a life in the Spirit.
When a child doesn't feel as though she's receiving the love and acceptance she needs, a sense of inferiority begins to develop within her. This so-called "inferiority complex" is reinforced each time she experiences rejection or is emotionally hurt in some way. The child - who is only doing what comes naturally- gradually develops defense mechanisms to cope with being hurt in life. Unfortunately, these defense mechanisms are the embryos of pride that begin in childhood, are developed in the teen years, and are perfected in adulthood.
The more inferior the child is made to feel by the rejection of others, the more she will attempt to compensate for that lack of security by employing some outstanding feature to make herself look better than - or at least as good as - the other girls around her.
Pride is the devil's solution to emotional pain.
"The heart is primarily the realm of a person's emotions, feelings, affections, motives and attitudes. Just as the physical heart pumps life-giving blood throughout the entire psysiological being, so too the inner heart of man functions as the nucleus of all that goes on in a person's life. It is the breeding ground for all one's thinking. It's creator said,"For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts." (Mark 7:21)