Shamed, degraded, violated. Raped.
I would say there is nothing more humiliating than sexual assault. To have something so very personal and intimate marred and stolen to satisfy a selfish, perverse desire. Often times when you hear of someone being raped, it is an incident, a one-time attack. Although there are victims who have endured this type of assault over and over for many, many years. Rape occurs in marriage or even incestuously.
In marriage, a woman can feel this same reproach if she feels her only value to her husband is in the bedroom. Forced participation in acts that bring shame or degradation is another form of this abuse. The use of pornography can also be very demeaning. Emotional abuse is as disparaging. The exploitation literally strips dignity, self-worth, character. The victim is left lifeless, robotic, functioning numbly. The most vile part is hiding behind the guise of love and marital responsibility. I would dare say the trendy, casual, sexual relationship generally leaves one of the partners feeling this way whether they admit it or not. There are other types of rape that occur without physical contact. Unwanted sexual advances, or even suggestive glances, can make one feel completely violated.
Finally, I think we can be raped spiritually. When we allow Satan to make his advances in our life, we are left with the same emotions: guilt, shame, humiliation, a loss of control. He can rob us of the very promises of the Lord, of the things we know hold true. God is faithful. He never disappoints and He "will never leave us nor forsake us." (Deuteronomy 31:8) He is our Defender, our Redeemer, our Savior.
Isaiah 19:20 "...When they cry out to the LORD because of their oppressors, he will send them a savior and defender, and he will rescue them."
I would say there is nothing more humiliating than sexual assault. To have something so very personal and intimate marred and stolen to satisfy a selfish, perverse desire. Often times when you hear of someone being raped, it is an incident, a one-time attack. Although there are victims who have endured this type of assault over and over for many, many years. Rape occurs in marriage or even incestuously.
In marriage, a woman can feel this same reproach if she feels her only value to her husband is in the bedroom. Forced participation in acts that bring shame or degradation is another form of this abuse. The use of pornography can also be very demeaning. Emotional abuse is as disparaging. The exploitation literally strips dignity, self-worth, character. The victim is left lifeless, robotic, functioning numbly. The most vile part is hiding behind the guise of love and marital responsibility. I would dare say the trendy, casual, sexual relationship generally leaves one of the partners feeling this way whether they admit it or not. There are other types of rape that occur without physical contact. Unwanted sexual advances, or even suggestive glances, can make one feel completely violated.
Finally, I think we can be raped spiritually. When we allow Satan to make his advances in our life, we are left with the same emotions: guilt, shame, humiliation, a loss of control. He can rob us of the very promises of the Lord, of the things we know hold true. God is faithful. He never disappoints and He "will never leave us nor forsake us." (Deuteronomy 31:8) He is our Defender, our Redeemer, our Savior.
Isaiah 19:20 "...When they cry out to the LORD because of their oppressors, he will send them a savior and defender, and he will rescue them."
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