John Piper is known for provocative titles. Who can forget books and articles with titles like “Don’t Waste Your Life,” “Sex and the Supremacy of Christ,” “Don’t Waste Your Cancer,” and many others. But as I was browsing the front page of the Desiring God website today, I think I found the title that wins the award for provocativeness: “Missions and Masturbation.” Now how do you pass up reading an article with a title like that?
It turns out that the little essay was written 23 years ago on September 10, 1984. Whatever you think about the title, the substance of the piece is gold. I highly recommend this one as well as the many other resources that Piper has produced on sexual purity. Here are a few of my favorites. One of the best (if not the best) is at the top of the list:
Sex and the Supremacy of Christ, Part 2 (manuscript)
2004 Desiring God National Conference
September 26, 2004
Avoiding Sexual Sin, Part 1
Pitfalls and Protections for Christian Leaders
June 28, 1987
Avoiding Sexual Sin, Part 2
Pitfalls and Protections for Christian Leaders
July 26, 1987
A N T H E M
Strategies for Fighting Lust
November 5, 2001
3 Comments
Trace
I have been using Piper’s “ANTHEM” in my Men’s Ministry here for about a year now and, quite honestly, it has made a big difference. This is the biggest battle men face, and that article has been a help.
Trace
Nielsen
Piper has been a great model for young leadership. I’ve admired how he is willing to address issues most leaders are silent on. The Bride of Christ is being violated by this sin and we need pastors, leaders, and especially fathers, to address it as so. I wanted to post this link – it’s a men’s ministry that is specifically tailored for men in sexual sins. This ministry does not take the place of the local church but can give hope to many men in this area where the local church is wrongfully silent. http://www.freeindeedne.com/
Eric M Schumacher
Piper said that this article was the closest he had ever come to being fired.
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/ConferenceMessages/ByDate/1927_How_to_Deal_with_the_Guilt_of_Sexual_Failure_for_the_Glory_of_Christ_and_His_Global_Cause/