Revisiting these thoughts from a few years back … as we journeyed through the book of Colossians Joel introduced us to the idea of Consumerist Porn. Consider:
Today Pastor Joel talked about empty philosophies (Col. 2) and how we tend to take the world’s “philosophies” or systems and ways of thinking, and mix them in with our Christianity. He used several examples, but the one that stood out to me was consumerism.
He introduced to us the idea of Consumerist Porn, and how it warps our minds. It’s a strong term, but I think so accurately describes what so many of us do. Consider the magazine industry. How many of us have Pottery Barn catalogs? Crate & Barrell? Do we sit and flip through these magazines, fantasizing about things that we don’t have, in essence lusting after things we think will make our lives better? What is it for you? Joel talked about travel magazines, golf magazines. What about Victoria’s Secret catalogs or whatever it may be. What do we spend our “mindless” time doing? And is it, in a way, unhealthy fantasizing about material things?
I realized lately that without my even meaning to, God had weeded my life from some of this. As I was organizing our file cabinet, I found a manila folder with “House Ideas” on the tab. Inside were torn out pages from–you guessed it–Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrell, Restoration Hardware. The pictures were nice, I guess, but for some reason it seemed kind of silly. Why would I purposely keep pictures of things I don’t need? Just in case I forgot? Praise God I forgot! Long long ago I quit getting Victoria’s Secret or any clothing catalogs of any kind. Why? Because I don’t know I ”need” new clothes until I see them adorning some 6’2″ 105lb. retouched model. Then I realize I need them! And I am absolutely content with my body until I take a good look at that 6’2″ 105lb. model and then I realize how wide my hips are. Fantasy? Perhaps. Lust? Maybe. Unnecessary for my spiritual growth and Christlikeness? Absolutely.
I thought of this again recently as I was window-shopping in some fabulous decor-stores. Again, nothing wrong with admiring beauty, but the question is: Does this incite in my admiration for God’s beautiful creation or does it incite in me a lustful desire to have more stuff? Only we, and God, know our hearts.
So I know the term Consumerist Pornography is pretty strong, but I like it. I like it because it refuses to let us call covetousness by a nice neat name that makes us not feel bad. God gives us good gifts. He is a loving Father. He may very well bless us with a beautiful home or a tropical vacation or what have you. But perhaps too often we are guilty of letting ourselves buy the lie of this world, “If only I had that…” One of the world’s trappings that robs us of our joy …
Give us faithful eyes, Lord. Free from lust and fantasy. Pure hearts, pure motives, content with what we have. Rid our lives of consumerist pornography and give us eyes for You alone. In Jesus’ name. {Thanks for reading.}
15 thoughts on “Consumerist Porn”
Comments are closed.
I needed this today. Thanks Kari!
Yikes, baby’s awake so I don’t actually have time to stop and read, but I wanted to share that when I saw the title my first thought was “Pinterest?” Which just might be a sign that I need to spend a little less time on that website…
Lately, I catch myself thinking about things that would just make everthing perfect, but the problem is if I get those jeans, for example, my wide hips will still be there in those fab jeans, or if I get that look for my house, my kids grimy fingerprints or my disdain for dusting will still be there. A very wise person once told me that “the grass isn’t greener on the other side, it’s just different weeds.” I am so so in the thick of learning this! Thank you Kari!
“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” 2 Corinthians 10:5
Praise God for this timing. Bless you, girl!
Interesting! Confession: I have never gone on that website just because I know myself, I get sucked in. (although I’m sure it’s great for many people and wonderful for sharing ideas) Bless you taking care of that baby today!
Candi, oh girl, I understand. Especially with the season you are in — 2 Corinthians is awesome, that is the perfect verse for this! Learning with you…
Thought provoking reminder on the allure of eye candy. I too like the term. Strong. Old problem too, yes? Back to the garden. See it, consider it, touch it. You deserve it, right? Children’s song comes to mind…
O be careful little eyes what you see
O be careful little eyes what you see
There’s a Father up above
And He’s looking down in love
So, be careful little eyes what you see
O be careful little ears what you hear
O be careful little ears what you hear
There’s a Father up above
And He’s looking down in love
So, be careful little ears what you hear
O be careful little hands what you do
O be careful little hands what you do
There’s a Father up above
And He’s looking down in love
So, be careful little hands what you do
O be careful little feet where you go
O be careful little feet where you go
There’s a Father up above
And He’s looking down in love
So, be careful little feet where you go
O be careful little mouth what you say
O be careful little mouth what you say
There’s a Father up above
And He’s looking down in love
So, be careful little mouth what you say
Wow, so good, Debra. Love love love what you bring to the table. Hm… you should start a blog. 🙂
Kari, thanks for being open and real. Gods grace is evident in your life.
Truth… thank you for speaking truth!
Preaching to myself! 🙂 Bless you Tania…
I recently “unsubscribed” from all of the “Groupon” type web site emails. I found that by seeing all the “good deals” I was tempted to spend money on things we didn’t really need just because it was a good deal. I originally signed up to receive them to save us money. But found it just left me wishing I had things I didn’t really need. Or being discontent with all the good gifts God has already given us. The websites are still there and I can go to them when I am looking to steward the resources God has given us to spend wisely in a certain allotted areas, but I am less tempted to be discontent when I don’t see all those “good deals” popping up in my inbox.
So good! I love the unsubscribe button as well (I’m never even sure how they get my email in the first place!) Discount Distraction can take our eyes off what matters! Thanks for sharing this, Cassie.
Boy do I get caught up in consumerism! I totally get the heart of this message. With that said, I do have to say that I think “porn” is extreme. Assuming we are trying to make an analogy between the sex industry and pottery barn (etc), “true” porn is so much more damaging, dangerous, and degrading to women, men, and families.
Yes! Definitely. True porn is the exploitation of people, not things. But with regard to how it impacts US (not the object) — it can still be an escape from reality, a fantasy-world, and something that “incites” a sort of lust in us, just in a different way. But I certainly agree, Lisa–true porn is from the pit of hell, destructive to the very core of our beings. Thanks for your thoughts.