I Delight to Sit in His Shade: The Power of Safety, Desire, and Character in Relationships (Sex, Love, and God Series)

Aug 14, 2017

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How desire, vulnerability, and sacrificial love shape authentic intimacy and emotionally safe relationships. Mike Erre continues the "Sex, Love & God" series by diving into Song of Songs 1–2 and Ephesians 5 to examine what it means to delight in the "shade" of another—how trust and character matter far more than superficial attraction. This deeply personal and honest reflection invites conversation around biblical sexuality, gender roles, healthy submission, and what makes love truly safe, satisfying, and Christlike.

Key Takeaways: • "I Delight to Sit in His Shade" – A profound image from Song of Songs that shows how emotional and relational safety form the basis for attraction and intimacy. • Physically Attracted, Spiritually Anchored – How beauty, desire, and character intersect in a relationship that honors God's design. • Reframing Ephesians 5 – Why mutual submission, not domination, lies at the heart of biblical love and marriage. • Redefining Headship – What true love and leadership look like when modeled after Christ’s sacrificial headship of the church. • Sexuality and Character Formation – How marriage isn’t an escape from lust but a context for refining selflessness and faithfulness. • Dating Wisdom – Don’t settle for “he’s hot”—date long enough to learn someone’s character, or their real “name.” • Masturbation, Porn, & Intimacy Gaps in Marriage – Vulnerable listener Q&A dives into real-life questions about unmet needs, sexual shame, and holistic faithfulness. • Single but Not Alone – Encouragement from the Psalms and pastoral honesty for singles navigating sex, longing, and worth without shame.

Resources Mentioned: • Song of Songs 1–2 – [Link to Song of Songs] • Ephesians 5 – [Link] • Psalm 17:8 – “Hide me in the shadow of your wings” • Psalm 68:5–6 – “God sets the lonely in families” • Genesis 38 – The story of Onan and “spilling seed” • EV Free Fullerton – Original hosting venue for the series • Vox Community Counseling & Story Resources – voxpodcast.com

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Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

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As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.

We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV.