Are you a gardener?
The distortion of Eros love is indeed a widely distorted love which much of society struggles with. Modern media promotes the pleasures of lust, even claims it as a natural, healthy instinct. In its original intended purpose it is, as God had planned this type of love to be shared between a man and woman in mind, body, and spirit. And this is exactly where society differs, for the activities related to the distorted version of Eros love place sole focus on the physical and psychological pleasures of lust. Eros was meant to be an externally focused love, whereas society places it within an internally focused or selfish motive to whet our physical appetites. The lust of society reduces the human to an object of pleasure, a selfish pursuit of satisfaction. This devaluation of others made in the image of God is a sin. Therefore I should stop my feelings of lust right now immediately. It makes sense in my mind of why it’s a sin, it’s disgusting, and should instead be realigned with God’s original intention for Eros love. End of story.
Unfortunately, making this sudden decision to refrain from being tempted or exposed to the distortions of Eros love is not easy. These distortions are all around us, from the temptations in our minds to the television shows and movies that we watch. Even secular humanism today not so much promotes sexual satisfaction but pushes the pursuit of self-gratification. In a sense, go after and enjoy whatever floats your boat! All of these ideas influence us and affect the way we respond to our struggles with lust.
With this realization, we must do our best to cling onto God, praying for grace and purity with which to help us persevere through our struggles. God gives us the grace with which we can overcome our internal challenges so we should never give up in our struggles.
“ So dear brother and sister, you have no obligation whatsoever to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you keep on following it, you will perish. But if through the power of the Holy Spirit you turn from it and its evil deeds, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. “
Romans 8:12-14
Great closing Bible verse! It is very true that it is always going to be a fight, for all of us. I agree with you that in order to perservere against the pressures of lust in favor of Eros, we must turn to God. Through prayer and the work of the Holy Spirit, we certainly can overcome any struggle that comes our way.
ReplyDeleteYou're dead on when you talk about the way todays media and culture views Eros love. What's sad about this is even though I know lust and selfishness of this kind is wrong, I've been bombarded by it so often that it's starting to seem normal. No I don't agree with everything I see on TV or hear on the radio but I just let it slide and move on. Is this type of thinking going to affect me long-term? probably...
ReplyDeleteThis post is really insightful, although I think that we should define lust a little more clearly. Lust defined as a physical urge is not always bad. Lust as a physical urge outside of a healthy married relationship is not good. But longing for someone who your are married to is a gift from God.
ReplyDeletein all a incredibly challenging post: 'let's stop what is wrong!'
ReplyDeleteEasily said, difficult battle to win. However, it is the starting point of any action. May the decision to do so encourage us to find others in the same battle who can help us and help us to not get distracted of the real issues: be a shining light for the Creator of all good things...
Adriana