“In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments… and it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; and burning instead of beauty.” Isaiah 3: 18
The Body Image department has done an impressive job, haven’t they? Turning everyday housewives into aspiring hussies.
Even if they don’t transform themselves outwardly, most women still crave the Jezebel trappings. They can’t resist self-proclaiming clothing, male adulation, and social power. Of course they only want beauty and love, but we twist it into something heathen.
Even a sweet Christian like your subject can’t resist the pull. On poor days she will simply appraise herself in the mirror. But on good days? You can weasel your way into her thoughts. Cultivate feelings of entitlement. Suggest that she is worth more than her husband delivers. Recommend immodest clothing and marital discontent. Remind her of old beaus, or cast her eyes about for new ones.
Imagine it! An obedient, chaste woman in a healthy relationship with all the temporal comforts… and she envies the whore! It’s a brilliant scheme. And how was it done? We simply glorify the woman’s body, place it on display, emphasize all things sexual, and whisper, “This could be you.” Such an easy, stupid selling point.
But be wary. We can tempt her, but elementally she craves only beauty and love.
Don’t let the Enemy fulfill these desires. If she sees beauty and shares love, she will despise our counterfeits. The grateful, outward-looking woman is the only one who escapes our deceptions about the body.
Breed discontent at every turn. Tell her that she should diet more, exercise more, buy more. Teach her that she is fabulous, or deficient—it doesn’t matter which, so long as the obsession keeps her eyes firmly fixed on her body (at the expense of her spirit) and on herself (at the expense of her marriage).
You must also amplify social media. Women need a steady diet of body image deceptions in order to be truly self-absorbed. Make her seek lust and she will disregard love. Let her seek only to be loved, and there will be little thought left for giving love.
What in the name of satire—? Confused by the devilish tone? Intrigued by the irony? This post is part of a Screwtaping series. Check out the full story (and more Tempts) here.
