How Abuse Shaped a Woman’s View of God

And then we come to a movie like 50 Shades of Grey. For some, it seems harmless fantasy. Others are concerned for its effects on relationships between men and women. But equating violence with love or romance is about more than confusing girls about what to expect from an earthly relationship. It creates a perverted view of the One who is described in 1 John 4:8 as the embodiment of love itself.

This is no coincidence. God is a God of relationship; He established that from the beginning when He would come down to walk with Adam and Eve. What better way for His enemy to keep people out of relationship with Him than to twist the meaning of love until they can’t recognize it when it’s right in front of them?

You can avoid the movie, and encourage your friends to do the same. But that’s not enough. This is a full-frontal attack on the purposes and love of God. We must act. But not in the way the enemy wants, by turning on each other with judgment and condemnation.

Instead, become a real threat to the enemy. Become the embodiment of love yourself. Take whatever time it requires to become so consumed with the love of God that no one can deny it’s the real thing. Let your every fear, heartache and grief be crushed by the overwhelming love of God until you begin to rise and crush those things in the broken hearts around you. No movie can threaten the tangible experience of the goodness of God. Let it begin with you.

Karen Ramsey is a teacher for special needs children and a blogger.