I grew up as a wrestling fan. You always knew the good guys from the bad guys. So imagine my surprise when I was visiting family in Kansas one summer, and I came across their local wrestling program on television. Into the ring stepped a villain, as confirmed by the round of boos from the crowd. But when I looked closer, I recognized this guy. Back in Houston, this particular wrestler went by a different name. And in Texas, he was a good guy.
The possibility that professional wrestling just might be scripted wrecked my world. Say it with me: “Professional wrestlers are a bunch of hypocrites.”
Jesus was not a wrestling fan. We know this because he condemned hypocrisy (Mark 7:6).
Recovery Step: “Hypocrite” means actor. Pro wrestlers are a bunch of actors. Disappointing, I know! But let’s learn from them. I will never be a 6’6”, 300-pound beast. But at least I’m real.
Mark and Beth Denison, married for 36 years, launched There’s Still Hope as a national movement to call men and women into lives of sexual integrity. Their ministry offers 90-day recovery plans for addicts and one-on-one and group coaching for addicts and their spouses. TSH also produces resources for pastors and churches to confront the porn epidemic that is destroying so many lives.
Dr. Denison was a senior pastor for over 30 years, NBA chaplain, and board chairman at Houston Baptist University three times. With a Master’s Degree in Addiction Recovery, Mark is a certified PSAP and active member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.
Mark has written four books on recovery: Porn in the Pew, 365 Days to Sexual Integrity, A 90-Day Recovery Guide, and 40 Days to Porn-Free Living. His latest book, Jesus on the 12 Steps, will be released later this year.
