The Spirit of Prostitution

PROSTITUTION. Definitely not a word you'd expect to see on this blog. Read the following and you'll probably understand it further.

The Spirit of Prostitution

Jennifer Ashely

In today’s society, prostitution is looked down upon. It’s not something you want in your family. What do you think about the following statements? “I am a prostitute. And my husband married me willingly. He picked me out of hundreds of women. He’s handsome, brave, and he chose me. Even though he knew my tendency to betray him, he asked me to join him for the rest of his life.”

And I have news for you: you’re a prostitute, too.

How does this make you feel?

Hosea was a prophet sent to show Israel its unfaithfulness to God. And God asked Hosea, a guy with an upstanding reputation, to marry a woman named Gomer – a locally known prostitute. Gomer continued to be unfaithful to Hosea throughout their marriage. Why would God ask Hosea to do something so humiliating? Because He wants us to be convinced He would do the same. We are Gomer. And God takes us as His bride.

God chose us, even though we repeatedly turn our backs on Him. We doubt. We hate. We’re jealous. God knows the darkness in our hearts. Yet His love is brave and flawless, grand enough to engulf our past, and even our present. He wants to be married to us, a public, permanent act – a covenant.

Prostitution may not be our occupation, but we may be selling ourselves to everything but God. God’s charge against Israel was their “spirit of prostitution” – their rebellion against God.

What are you “selling yourself” to? What are some idols you have in your life? Reflect on them and share with your group so you can pray together, asking for guidance, strength, and accountability.

We have given ourselves to things, thinking they’d bring us more pleasure than God offers. We have adored, longed after, and worshipped things other than Christ. God still wants you. God forgives and cleanses so you can worship with a new heart.

In Hosea, God pronounces to Israel: “I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the Lord” (Hosea 2:19-20).

Betroth means "to commit," so God will commit to the relationship He has with you. Will you do the same? How will this commitment influence your life?

REFLECT: C. S. Lewis states in his book, The Problem of Pain, “"God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world."

After reading about the connection between Christians and prostitution, do you agree with C.S. Lewis’ statement? Are the idols in your life still in control of you?

Take Home Lesson: God accepts the sinner, but not the sin. That is a true depiction of His perfect love and justice.

This was just a devo that we did today at fellowship. It's VERY strong and VERY powerful. It really sticks for sure. :) Something i wanted to share.