BBD 11.03.05 Self-Exploitation
Posted by: wrather <wrather@...>
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The Burning Bush Devotional
11.03.05
Self-Exploitation
Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven
anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ,
lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his
devices. - 2 Corinthians 2:10-12.
Abercrombie & Fitch is a clothing retailer that has experienced criticism in
the past for its marketing techniques, which included partially clothed
models in their "magalog" in 2003. The new controversial marketing technique
is aimed at teenage girls. The company is selling T-shirts with slogans on
them, which are demeaning and even mean spirited in some cases. One example
is the T-shirt that has the statement, "I had a nightmare I was a brunette,"
and another one even more inappropriate states, "I'd look great on you." One
Psychologist, commenting on all of this says that the shirts can be mentally
detrimental to teenage girls who may already be struggling with their
self-image.
There is a group of girls in Pittsburgh who have started a boycott against
Abercrombie & Fitch although they are calling it a "girlcott." Watching a
story about this on NBC's Today Show I was particularly impressed with one
young lady who said that they were already exploited enough by others and so
why should they exploit themselves by wearing these T-shirts. Looking up
exploitation in the dictionary, I found this definition: "utilization of
another person or group for selfish purposes." Therefore, self-exploitation
(Did not find such a word in the dictionary.) must mean that you facilitate
your own exploitation by purchasing products or participating in activities
that further someone else's or an organization's selfish purposes to the
detriment of your own.
We have an enemy who is constantly looking for any kind of opening in our
lives to attack us and exploit us for his evil purposes. He will use groups,
organizations, individuals, whoever or whatever is available to try to take
advantage of us. To wear a demeaning or mean spirited T-shirt would be doing
the devil's work for him. We would be exploiting ourselves on behalf of the
enemy and causing pain to others, which would bring a smile to the faces of
demons. In doing so we would be having fellowship with demons (1 Corinthians
10:19-21).
How else can we exploit ourselves? Watching immoral shows on television and
then buying the products of the companies sponsoring them would be
self-exploitation. Buying books or magazines that are immoral or
inappropriate for Christians would be self-exploitation. Using addictive
substances, which are damaging to our health and testimony as a Christian is
self-exploitation. Going with your friends to a party that will have an
immoral flavor and participating in it is self-exploitation. I think you get
the idea. Why are these things self-exploitation? Because you have a
choice - you do not have to do it.
The apostle Paul says about Satan, for we are not ignorant of his devices."
You do not have to be ignorant any longer of Satan's desire to take
advantage of you for his own selfish purposes and of how he wants to use you
to exploit yourself. You do not have to allow this to happen! Join the
"girlcott" and say "NO!" to Abercrombie & Fitch along with all the other
countless attempts to push you into self-exploitation.
Copyright © 2005. Ed Wrather. Permission is given for use of the devotionals
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