"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing." 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 Objectification is a term which refers to behavior in which one person treats another person as an object and not as a fellow human being with feelings and consciousness of his or her own, in other words, as without agency. Sexual objectification occurs when a person is seen as a sexual object; when their sexual attributes and physical attractiveness are separated from the rest of their personality and existence as an individual, and reduced to instruments of pleasure for another person. This is a disregard for personal abilities and capabilities.
The lure of physical pornography is in the passivity it allows in one’s sexual life. There is no commitment required. We allow ourselves to circumvent the demands of the relationship for respect, giving, and interaction and yet still experience the sexual sensations and releases of true physical contact. We objectify each other as human beings. In doing this we are lulled into addiction and a false representation of physical pleasure; a rush of euphoric sensations without the committal of intimately knowing another individual. As a part of God given to the church to come alongside in our aid as the Great Paraclete, we know surprisingly little concerning the person of the Holy Spirit. As a body we are torn between extremes of sensation and cessation of the works of the Holy Spirit. In our resistance to know the true nature of the Holy Spirit we allow ourselves to remain distant from the consequences of relationship.
By not coming to know the person of the Holy Spirit we are allowed this same sense of false pleasure. We objectify the person of the Holy Spirit, abusing the gifts and sensations without truly understanding or intimately knowing the depth of the power God has made available to us. We come to church every Sunday expecting man’s orchestration of spiritual programming to invoke for us that “feel good” experience. We fail to recognize the divine nature within us and to regularly cultivate that in growth and instead content ourselves with “quick fixes” of the Holy Spirit.
Our desire of the Holy Spirit is pure in intent but just like our earthly relationships there are conditions and requirements for a healthy relationship. Exercise of the gifts without love for the Spirit is pointless and futile. We cannot love what we do not know; therefore we must know the Spirit. When a breakdown of relationship happens, or when there is never a relationship developed to start with, then a depersonalization of the individual occurs. We begin to place value only on what can be done for us; how we can benefit from the other person instead of appreciating the actual person. When is the last time we thanked, praised, cherished or loved the Holy Spirit for the gifts and works done on our behalf?
3 comments:
Awesome post Debbie!!! I loved it. Especially your challenge at the end. Seems like we're both being challenged today. Good Job!
Smart lady: I like reading your posts. I felt like this one was especially profound and I was not expecting the comparison between objectification of other people and spiritual objectification of the Holy Spirit. Good things to think about. Thanks, Debbie :)
I always look forward to reading your posts. You write the most thought provoking things. I am amazed at just how much people do look for the instant gratification and never think to understand the one who bestows these gifts. Great post!
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