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The picture
that may come to mind when a person says the word "prostitute" is
the image of a sensually dressed woman walking down a dark city
street in the wee hours of the night. Although, the poor soul
represented in this image certainly merits our prayers and efforts
to reach her with the Gospel (the news that Jesus saves from all
sin), this picture of a prostitute is not what this article is
addressing. As a matter of fact, this article has very little to do
with sex and the exchange of money for sexual favors. Further, this
article is not directed to a particular gender (male or female).
You see, in The American Heritage College Dictionary (Third Edition
Copyright 1993), the number two definition of a prostitute reads as
follows: "One who sells one's abilities, talent, or name for an
unworthy purpose." In the Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary we see
that a prostitute is "a person (as a writer or painter) who
deliberately debases himself or his talents (as for money)."
More importantly, the Bible speaks (e.g. Ezekiel 15:28) of God's
chosen people as becoming like a harlot (prostitute) and a whore for
their giving worship to the idol gods of surrounding nations.
You may ask: "Where are you going with this?" Well, let me share
some true experiences with you that might provide some illumination.
Some time ago, I was sitting in the front row at a "Gospel" concert
where the featured guest (at one time called the Prince of Gospel
music) began to share how he and his choir attended a big birthday
shindig for James Brown -Yes, the Godfather of Pop&Soul music known
for songs such as "Cold Sweat." And, don't ask me to explain the
connotations of "Cold Sweat." In any event, the featured guest went
on to do voice impersonations of James Brown. This featured guest
then wrapped up this portion of his "Gospel" presentation by
performing one of James Brown's biggest hits - the same exact music
with the words only slightly altered. Having listened to James Brown
music before coming to Christ, I recognized the song as did some
others in the audience. This song represented a message which was
quite contrary to the message of holiness. However, to add insult to
injury, the featured guest began to verbally assault those who did
not stand to their feet, clap their hands and pretend to enjoy this
warmed-over James Brown song. This featured guest may be making
millions by compromising to the point of pushing warmed over Pop
songs as Holy Praises unto God. However, God's Holy Word says: "Love
not the World, neither the things that are in the world. If any man
love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."- (I John
2:15). We are not to sell our talents for unworthy purposes such as
promoting Pop&Soul songs. When we do this, we are like the chosen
people in the time of Ezekiel who promoted the idol gods of
surrounding pagan nations. These chosen people were viewed in God's
eyes as Whores (Ezekiel 15:28).
While at yet another concert given by another "Gospel" artist (who
at one time was known as the sexiest Gospel singer) I was shocked as
the choir began to perform "We Want the Fonk, Gotta Have Some Fonk."
The band played the same exact notes as this old popular Funk song,
while the artist sang the lyrics. The catch was, that the artist
changed "Fonk" to "Praise," and thought he could put the song over.
I am not pushing that contemporary styles of "Gospel" music are
necessarily evil or wicked; The problem here is that we have
"Gospel" artists singing and playing the music that we Christian
used to enjoy at wild parties, while doing dope, while carousing,
and other such wicked acts - All this before we got saved.
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