Passions of the Heart: Biblical Counsel for Stubborn Sexual Sins (John D. Street)

Passions of the Heart

Biblical Counsel for Stubborn Sexual Sins

Enticed by rage, sensuality, or pride, anyone can become caught up in previously unimaginable acts. Experienced biblical counselor John Street takes a hard look at the heart idolatries that lead even Christians to commit egregious sexual sin . . . showing how to bring lasting change by identifying the underlying motivations of the heart.

Here there is hope: any sin can be forgiven, and Christ gives men and women the grace to mortify fleshly desires and to humbly live for him.

Endorsements

“Dr. Street applies his confidence in the Scriptures from years of experience counseling those entangled in sexual sin. There is hope, and Street makes clear and practical the path to biblical freedom.”

—Dale Johnson, Executive Director, Association of Certified Biblical Counselors

“John speaks with great wisdom and unpacks Scripture in a beautifully relevant way. I commend this excellent book to all those who struggle with stubborn sexual sins.”

—Amy Baker, Instructor and Counselor, Faith Biblical Counseling Ministry

“John Street goes beyond ‘stop it’ to address the sometimes hidden or surprising inward motivations that lead to unrighteous expressions of passion.  He also offers practical wisdom for counselors.  An important resource that will help many to be set free.”

—Jim Newheiser, Associate Professor of Practical Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte

“Dr. John Street has done a marvelous job in writing a book that will assist pastors and others who counsel people struggling with various forms of sexual temptation.  I will heartily recommend it to my students and others who desire a solid biblical understanding of this increasingly common problem.”

—Wayne Mack, Director, ACBC Africa

About the Author

John D. Street (MDiv, Grand Rapids Theological Seminary; DMin, Westminster Theological Seminary) is chair of the graduate program in biblical counseling at The Master’s University and Seminary and president of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors’ board of trustees.

Contents

Foreword by Heath Lambert

Part 1: The Nature of the Heart and Its Passions

• 1) Preparing the Heart for Change
• 2) Heart Idolatry and Sexuality
• 3) Heart Idolatry and Sexual Enslavement
• 4) Heart Idolatry and Deep Passions

Part 2: The Motivations of Sexual Idolatry

• 5) Consoling the Hurting Idols of Passion
• 6) Feeding the Hungering Idols of Passion
• 7) A Biblical Stress Test

Part 3: The Characteristics of a Pure Heart

• 8) Critical Prerequisites of a Pure Heart
• 9) The Sources of Purity for the Pure Heart
• 10) The Sexual Desire of the Pure Heart

Conclusion