This book and movie is first and foremost about BDSM and sexual activities OUTSIDE of marriage. Premarital sex. I know this is wrong and I know this is outside of the commandments of our Lord. But I'm going to concentrate on the other damaging parts of the empire because I think it's safe to say that anyone reading this article already knows premarital sex outside of marriage is sinful behavior and carnal lust.
I'm going to begin by looking at the male character's name, Christian Grey. Now at first glance, it doesn't seem to be anything to shout out about. But, is it just a coincidence that the first name is Christian? A Christian man is the leader of the house, the strength and the wisdom. In the Bible, there are only BLACK AND WHITE instructions, directions and commandments. NO GREY areas. Right? So the character being named Christian Grey disturbed me from the beginning and coupling it with the "eroticism" of the whole theme of the sordid story, well, it appeared to not only be a pun on Christians everywhere, but also a slap in the face to the holy Book! This name was chosen CAREFULLY because Satan is CAREFULLY targeting the audience of sexual depravity against the normalcy of the Bible. The Bible has a lot to say about sex, both outside of marriage and inside of marriage. No GREY areas prevailing there. Anastasia who is the "frail, weak, timid" female role, means "RESURRECTION." These names are NO coincidences! Always know before you fall into something because Satan is a conniver and a manipulator. He makes things sinful appeal to the carnal parts of all humans.
Next, what exactly IS the definition of perversion? According to the dictionary it's 1. the alteration of something from its original course, meaning, or state to a distortion or corruption of what was first intended 2. the action of perverting : the condition of being perverted 2. a perverted form; especially : an aberrant sexual practice or interest especially when habitual 3. something OR the process of improperly changing something that is good 4. sexual behavior or desire that is considered abnormal or unacceptable.
Titus 1:15, "To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled." All of the above definitions are the exact opposite of the biblical normalcy of sex. Even the definitions are about taking something normal, beautiful and loving and turning it, or altering it, into something NOT normal, NOT loving, and NOT beautiful. Something the devil does all the time. He perverts everything pure from God. Now before I continue, I understand that everyone has their own definition of "normal" "beautiful" and "loving" sex. I get that. I understand that every individual has formed thoughts on what is considered abusive and what's considered within normal range. But, this isn't about our OWN definitions. We need to look at what God's definition is of "normal, loving" marital sex. It's about what society is trying to force upon our young men and women as being acceptable behaviors. It's about how dangerous this conditioning really IS to a society that is already mixing up the original intentions of something so amazingly beautiful to be shared between a loving husband and wife within the confines of their marriage and confusing all the lines. I've heard all the arguments about what happens between a husband and wife is OK'D by God....but is it REALLY? Does God want us to hurt the ones we love emotionally, mentally, physically and sexually? NO! All of our minds are similarly wired to be Christ-like if we choose to follow our Lord and Savior. Every argument that speaks about "consent" NEVER addresses the fact that just because someone "consents" to something, doesn't mean it isn't abuse. And it sure doesn't mean that it doesn't warrant a deeper analysis of someone's psyche that "desires" this kind of treatment, much less the desire to INFLICT this type of treatment upon someone who they claim to love. The lines have been surely blurred by Satan and his minions who are here doing his dirty deeds. Pervert what God has created and ruin families and the ideals of sex, inside and outside of the marriage bed.
Ephesians 5:25, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her," If we are to believe this Scripture to be true, and it IS, then we must look at Christ Himself in this context. Did HE abuse His church? Did HE inflict pain on His church? Did HE dominate His church as defined by this perversion? Did HE degrade His church for His pleasure? The answer to ALL of those questions is a resounding ABSOLUTELY NOT! Nor would He! In our society today, the word abuse has changed drastically because what was considered abuse 30-45-50+ years ago, is now OK as long as someone "consents." The abuse and perversions of "yesteryear" would have sent someone to prison but not now. The same things are being called "normal" expressions of love. So many lines have been blurred regarding what should be VERY clearly defined abuse that it saddens me that we have come to this point, to this bridge in our lives to think that being hit, slapped, punched, bitten to bleed, forcefully "taken," called unmentionable names, tied up in restraints, gagged, and other unmentionable acts that fall under the BDSM definition. Ask anyone who works with domestic violence victims about "consent" and if it's abuse or not. They'll tell you some horror stories. But, on the flip side, there are those women who, when it comes to sex, are people starting to make this particular argument that it ISN'T abuse, just so they can hold onto their own fetishes, thereby justifying their turn-ons. Someone needs to write about those same women and see where their sexual ideals became skewered, and if there was abuse in their own backgrounds. Physical, sexual, mental or emotional. I would wage there were definitely. The women who defend the book and/or movie just because they mistakenly think it spiced up their sex life are, in my opinion, being painfully selfish and moreso negligent by refusing to think about how this book and movie could inevitably and adversely affect other women in different situations, as well as our young and impressionable girls. Let's also not forget our young and impressionable boys who will think it's OK to become a "Christian Grey" and that it's OK to treat women in the disrespectful, disobedient and violent way as he does. There are no words to describe the disgust about the fact that MILLIONS of dollars have went to support this travesty. And this tells me a lot about the direction of the world. What would have happened if all of that money that was spent on seeing a borderline pornographic movie about abuse went to all the domestic abuse shelters and wards that are trying to make a difference in the lives of all the women, children and men that have suffered abuse? WOW! But instead....well, need I say more.
Let's take a little break here and see what the renowned porn researcher and sociologist Dr. Gail Dines has to say in his own words:
"In his book on batterers, Lundy Bancroft provides a list of potentially dangerous signs to watch out for from boyfriends. Needless to say, Christian [Grey of 50 Shades of Grey] is the poster boy of the list, not only with his jealous, controlling, stalking, sexually sadistic behavior, but his hypersensitivity to what he perceives as any slight against him, his whirlwind romancing of a younger, less powerful woman, and his Jekyll-and-Hyde mood swings. Any one of these is potentially dangerous, but a man who exhibits them all is lethal.
The most likely real-world ending of Fifty Shades of Grey is fifty shades of black and blue. The awful truth in the real world is that women who partner with a Christian Grey often end up hightailing it to a battered women's shelter with traumatized kids in tow. The less fortunate end up in graveyards."
His words, not mine. It's pretty clear that Hollywood and Satan, who runs that horrid place, are capitalizing on the suffering of REAL people and DESENSITIZING the others who find nothing wrong with this type of behavior or who is just curious about experimenting with something a little different. BDSM is never really broken down by any of the commentators, reporters, or writers who are promoting this way of life. If they did, they could no longer make the repulsive claim that "love" or "intimacy" have anything to do with it. Oh it sure doesn't. What does that mean, while we're on the subject? Bondage, domination, sadism, and masochism. Those words alone couldn't even be claimed as "love" or "intimacy" sounding! Let's just look at ONE definition before moving on: Sadism - the definition of sadism is "the enjoyment that someone gets from being violent or cruel or from causing pain, especially sexual enjoyment from hurting or punishing someone…a sexual perversion in which gratification is obtained by the infliction of physical or mental pain on others." And THIS is considered a turn-on? This is considered OK? Far from it! And this is just ONE part of the BDSM that we speak of here! People who are into this lifestyle "commit" to using what they call a "SAFE WORD" that if, or when, it gets a little TOO rough, they say the "SAFE WORD" and it stops, or eases up some. If ANYONE needs a "SAFE WORD" then it's already gone too far and it's already NOT a normal action. The other problem with using "safe words" is that they can only really be utilized AFTER the action that causes them to use it in the first place. Using safe words doesn't PREVENT harm from taking place, it only prevents FURTHER harm from happening. And in some cases, the damage has already been done and it's too late. This just solidifies the enemy is behind this perversion.
This book and movie empire and the sadism it openly and proudly promotes are an assault on human dignity, an assault on Christians, and their biblical values, everywhere but mostly it's an all out assault on the worth and value of girls and women all over the world. The portrayal of Christian Grey as a dominate, abusive, emotionally void man being somehow erotic goes beyond anything that my mind can comprehend. It's deplorable really to think that these authors are suggesting that women in a loving, intimate, sexual marital relationship crave this kind of treatment from their husbands concerns me greatly. It's the minority, not the majority, and those who do crave this kind of behavior, as I've said above, there are deep seated reasons why. There is a motive to portray abuse as eroticism. Satan. He is roaming around seeking those whom he can devour, to consume their souls and the more vulnerable one is, the more targeted they become. The more targeted they become and the more desensitized they are, the easier they fall into the trap set to sin. The enemy is nothing but darkness and sin is darkness and sin is what gives these people who are pushing this abuse as normal and OK the desire to do so. The author of the book that inspired the movie promotes the idea that if women want intimacy, they need to be submissive and a slave to vile, manipulative men. They portray men as vile and manipulative and those are two words I can easily identify Satan with! So who's behind these shades of grey? Indeed it is Satan. He wants everything "Grey" so all the lines of purity and good and loving BLURRED. He doesn't want us to see black and white.....
 |
| No GREY Areas |
I heard a commentator say of BDSM that so long as it doesn't hurt anyone than it's all OK. Well, ironically the whole purpose of BDSM is TO hurt and BE hurt. This promotes the practice that totally encourages lust for power, humiliation, degradation, manipulation and violence, These are the things that are never talked about. And many abused children who have been traumatized to some degree in their little minds do equate "pain with love." They grow up to seek this out. Or the little boys grow up inflicting those "weaker" with pain as their way of showing love. Those same commentators never really truthfully address the underlying issues revolving around those who participate in this activity. There are many. If this is normal, why isn't everyone in the world on board with this treatment when our minds are primarily wired the same? Why isn't this exciting to everyone on both sides, the inflicted and the one doing the inflicting? This isn't the majority of the population but the way it's being introduced through movies, books and tv shows, not to mention through some songs, one would tend to believe that everyone is doing it. They're not. BDSM is NOT loving. It is NOT intimate. It is NOT gentle. Some have said that a little bit of this isn't harmful, but some experts also said that a little bit of alcohol isn't harmful either. A little bit of "sin" still is sin. A little bit of "wrong" is still wrong. A little bit of "grey" is a gateway to more intense, more escalating thrills. Every sin has a "gateway" drug, if you will. BDSM is no different. And if we are honest here, there are also 50 shades of BDSM too! So no surprise the name was chosen to represent MANY things dark and sinister. I'm in shock that this took off in the way that it did but on the other hand.....the Bible says that in the end days, these things will be more prevalent. And prevalent they are!
People lost in BDSM are lost in the vice of lust. BDSM is demonic. Period. It mixes violence with sex. There is an element of darkness that goes way deeper than many care to talk about or realize. Sometimes, when you're in the grips of something as dark as this, you don't realize it's darkness or how deep it goes, much less how harmful it is to you, your spirit and your mind! True love and intimacy are found in seeking, knowing and surrendering to Our Lord. When this is the CENTER of your marriage sexual relationship, the spirit will soar, the physical union will flourish in all the right ways and will be the pure, gentle, loving, oneness that God created it for! We are not called to physically, mentally or emotionally abuse another human being. We are called to be GENTLE, KIND, LOVING and GOOD towards others. Somehow, BDSM doesn't have ANY of those qualities attached to it....and no matter how you want to dissect it, it will always come up as dark, evil and painful. All the opposite of what God intended. But isn't that what Satan tries to do anyway? Turn everything around, make all things confusing, blurring all the lines, then stepping back laughing as he watches people fall victim and stumble in their walk? That's the sad demented character of Satan and in these days we are living in surrounded by so much darkness, it's time that everyone start seeing things for what they are and from WHO they come from!!! Danger ALWAYS lurks around the corner so be careful where you drive......This movie or book is NOT a romance novel for the masses. This isn't about intimacy. It's NOT about LOVE. This is the one thing I want everyone reading this to walk away with! The truth is in the Bible and I want that truth to reach your hearts! Value yourself more than succumbing to something as harmful as this.
As Christians, we shouldn't even desire to see something like this or read the novel. When something as CLEARLY EVIL as this becomes a temptation so intense to desire such viewing or reading, then step back and try to look at it through the eyes of Jesus!!! As Christians, we need to be the example TO the world, NOT become LIKE the world. We need to pay close attention to the conviction of the Holy Spirit and stand clear of anything He is trying to keep us away from and obey. Be mindful of the eyes which watch your steps. This "empire" is designed to "seduce" people into things that are harmful, some potentially deadly. When you look at this through the eyes of Jesus, would this be something to glorify Him? Would you be embarrassed by it if Jesus was standing beside you? If you aren't a Christian, you can still know this is not a normal, loving, pure act of intimacy between two married people. What God designed for a married man and woman to enjoy has NO perversion mixed in with it. And for the record, NO...a woman or man who calls themselves a Christian does NOT have the "right" to do whatever they want with their own bodies. For as Scripture notes "For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s." in 1 Cor 6:20. Our bodies are the temple of God. Let's not poison it with this evil nor poison entire relationships.
Fifty Shades of Grey is classified as erotic fiction. According to one online dictionary, this genre of literature is defined as that which has "no literary or artistic value other than to stimulate sexual desire." Marriage is defined by God and throughout the Scriptures as being between a man and a woman. No exceptions. So, there should only be ONE person to stimulate sexual desire in you and that's your husband or wife in a loving, God-centered marriage! Since that’s God’s plan for sexual desires, anything other than a husband or wife creating arousal in the other one, would be greatly missing the mark of God’s intention! Basically, it's sin. Jesus said it this way in Matthew 5:27-29, "You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ v28) But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." The same holds true for a woman watching, looking at or reading erotica about a man. I believe reading erotica is sinful just as much as watching it or pornography is sinful. Erotica, to some people, is considered borderline pornography that hasn't quite crossed over yet and there are many arguments out there regarding it. However, anything that elicits sexual feelings or desires is sinful and we should stay clear of anything that would cause us to stumble. Let's make sure that is clear!
If you know what the definitions to BDSM mean, then you should also know and understand that the most damaging part of this whole twisted empire is that God created sex to be a marriage partnership that’s totally fueled by love and self-giving, NOT inducing or receiving pain and humiliation. This is more like punishment than reciprocation of love. It’s not just that this book and movie misuses sex and distorts it, it actually tries to redefine it into something exceedingly evil and transgressive as the lead character dominates in a hurtful, unloving and unkind manner. This reminds me of the "lead character" of the world. Satan himself. Sounds just like him, now, doesn't it? Keep in mind, too, that going to a movie that promotes something as twisted as this, or reading the book, can potentially open you up to whatever is being promoted. This goes back to being mindful of whatever you take in through your senses, you take into your heart. The mind's thoughts become your heart's actions and who you become is a reflection of those together. So when something like this is allowed to permeate the mind and heart, then it deforms, desensitizes and distorts the heart which will eventually play out in your relationships. People are enjoying it, Christians and non-Christians alike, calling it everything from harmless fun, to recreation, to entertainment, but in reality, it's a mockery of God, His creation and His Word. We, as Christ believing Christians are children of God and we need to always remember that. So, if we watch movies or read books that promote evil on any level, it becomes a slippery slope of where the mind loses its ability to discern right and wrong, good and evil, and what's clean and unclean. This is spiritual warfare. Plain and simple.
So was it also accidental or "coincidental" that the movie was released on VALENTINE'S DAY!? Now, please understand, I know the origins of Valentine's Day, but it's still a celebrated day of LOVE between couples in love. All around the world. Many proposals come on this day. Many intimate moments take place on this day. So then, this movie was released on THE ONE DAY when "sexual behavior" both outside of wedlock and by married couples will be taking place. No, not a coincidence at all. This was also one of the planned timing devices of the devil himself to titillate, tantalize, tempt and intrigue the masses of "lovebugs" to instigate more fornication but also to instigate experimenting with this "lifestyle" to spice up the relationship. What will this lead to in the end? Sometimes, in the heightened passion of a union, one can't control their full actions and this can lead to hurt bodies and hurt feelings and hurt minds. But more than that.....hurt spirits. Sometimes losing control can't be helped and thus making this more dangerous. This was being promoted on a day that is not only full of "supposed" love, but full of carnal LUST. More to think about and digest. Nothing is ever really accidental, is it? Romans 1:28-30, "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; v29) being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, v30) backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents," Not in God's eyes....
This empire promotes the veneration of premarital sex and promotes sexual deviance. As Christians, we're admonished by Scripture to guard our hearts because it's deceitful above all things. This prescribes our choices in entertainment as well as anything we allow into our thoughts and minds through our eyes, ears and touch. I strongly plead with all of my brothers and sisters in Christ to avoid any so-called "entertainment," whether it be via movies, music or books, which would lead any of you away from what Philippians 4:8 tells us, "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." Anything that remotely uses the kind of abuse depicted in the movie and book to glorify being dominated reinforces false stereotypes that women are to be used as objects to fulfill male fantasies. Same is true with any type of movie or books with the explicit message that women need to find their self-worth through their sexuality are nothing more than exploitative. God doesn't place our value in our sexuality, but rather in who we are as people and our relationship to each other and to Him. Satan is putting so many different lustful thoughts into the minds of men and women all around the world that are definitely not healthy in relationships. They're blurring the lines of what God created to be pleasurable, within a monogamous, loving, God-centered marital relationship between a man and a woman, and these lustful thoughts is an ongoing battle we must continue to fight.
The movie has grossed over 100 million dollars! This is not only terribly sad, but terribly wicked. The reality to this through my spiritual eyes, is every dollar spent on this trash, is another dollar given to promote and instigate domestic violence. Let's call this as it IS....it's not intimacy. It's not love. It's not gentle, kind and loving. It's not entertainment. It's DOMESTIC VIOLENCE and it's being wrapped up and packaged as erotic entertainment and pushed to the masses for the purpose of perverting what the Lord God made to be a beautiful gift between a married husband and wife. Domestic violence also has many shades from control all the way to death and this is something that NONE of us should promote. The dollar amount this movie grossed told of another story about the depravity of the society. People are seeking more and more intensity to keep their minds and desires fulfilled. The "normal" stuff isn't working anymore. It's becoming an elevated, heightened society and we all better watch the direction this is taking because, if you aren't aware then you won't see anything coming. Be alert. Be vigilant. This really can be likened to a war on women, or shall I suggest, AGAINST women. This is a dangerous movie and book. Domestic violence is abuse. Abuse is domestic violence. They are interchangeable and should not be celebrated with 100 million dollars and counting!
1 Corinthians 6:18, "Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body."
Romans 1:24-25, "Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, v25) who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen."
A movie and book series whose entire message is basically glorifying fornication, domestic abuse and semi-rape is not to be applauded, nor should money be spent on promoting it. Of course, since Satan is the god of this world, we know that it has long been understood that "sex sells." Blurring lines all over the place as it does so too. It's just that in the days gone by, sadistic sex used to be only something that a few were involved in and were hidden well. Hidden. Yes. Because anything done in the secret places, hidden, is unrighteous, and not for good. Actions are hidden for a reason. If there wasn't anything wrong then there isn't a reason to hide it. We have a movie sensation that came from the book sensation that is promoting brutality around the world and people are paying to encourage it. Here is a prophetic warning to take heed of found in 2 Timothy 3:1-4, "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: v2) For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, v3) unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, v4) traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,"
The 50 Shades empire is a book series and movie centered in and about distorting pleasure. Distorting the lines of demarcation. Although the story purports to be elevating, or heightening genuine love, it is instead destroying it. It's just a gimmick used by Satan to lure you into his web of deceit. Instead of promoting and uplifting a beautiful relationship between two married people, the way God intended, this horrid series advertises a male-dominated, abusive, and sadomasochistic relationship. It promotes the destruction of pleasure. It promotes the destruction of relationships. It promotes the destruction of marriages. Yes. Marriages. Impurity starts to create an "impure triune connection" because sex is meant to be an exclusive experience between a husband and wife that equals the body, soul and spirit. Any other deviations from this are purely cheap substitutes with no substance. Remember that our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit. He is always there with us in whatever we do, whatever we watch and whatever we read. So could we then do some of those things we read about or seen without conviction if we realize this? No. Not if you're honest with yourself. And I know that's sometimes hard to do, but we must still strive for the purity that God intended.
In closing, I just want to suggest to all of the Christians who are tempted to go see this movie or read the books, not to enter into the lion's den. The roaring lion is waiting for you and by opening up this door to a darker portal than you anticipated, you are opening yourself up to being attacked by the enemy, not to mention opening yourself up to experimenting with things that will only lead you down an even darker path! I implore you once again, please don't dip your toes into this messy way. For the unbelievers, I invite you to receive Jesus Christ into your life, repent of your sins, acknowledge your need for a Savior, ask for forgiveness, know that Jesus was born of a virgin, died for your sins, paid your sin-debt in full, died on the Cross and rose three days later and is now sitting at the right hand of the Father God! He will receive you and give you the best life you will ever know! One full of love, kindness, goodness, and peace. But more importantly, He will give you eternal life! Forever more! AMEN! Submit yourself unto the Lord and be transformed. All those things that you desire in the dark that have tempted you by the devil can be washed away and cleansed. It's not too late.....Don't be part of the 50 Shades of Grey perversions.......There are no grey areas in Christ!
Top Blogs
No comments:
Post a Comment
All comments are welcomed but please keep it PG rated.