Tags
America, Celebrities, Cultural Engagement, Culture, Faith, Feminism, Holy Spirit, Repentance, Salvation, Sanctification, Sexual Immorality, Sexual Revolution, Society, Truth
One of the performers of the disgraceful Super Bowl half-time show has recently been in the news responding to critics. Her response was not, of course, apologetic; this is not the sort of thing that one is expected to apologize for in mainstream American culture. Instead, she defended her behavior, and referred to criticism as “silliness.”
So goes the blithe dismissiveness for those who would object to the objectification of women.
As expected, defense of the performance was based on feminism and appeal to culture: “a celebration of women and our Latino culture.” Further, we should trust their character: “Both of us are really respectful performers.” Respectful of what?
But the most interesting statement was this: “that small fraction of people who want to be negative about it, I can’t even let in.”
I think what she means is that she won’t let these critics and their criticism–framed as negativity–into her mind and heart. She won’t let them impact her perception of herself and what she has done.
That is one of the mantras of the (post)modern pop-therapeutic mindset. Keep negativity out. Be yourself, and don’t let others’ judgment impact you. Well, sometimes this is the right attitude; but other times it’s not. And, in this case, what is being kept out is, at least in part, the conviction of sin.
We cannot be made whole if we do not let conviction in. If we close the door against conviction of sin, we close the door against repentance–and ultimately against God’s saving work in our lives. It is a terrible and tragic thing to resist the Holy Spirit. This takes discernment, for there are all kinds of messages floating in this world, many of which we must reject. But we must not reject the message of righteousness, repentance, and healing.
We must let God in.
