"They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator--who is forever praised. Amen. |Romans1:25-26|
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The Diddy documentary has left a sour taste in my mouth. The video I saw of him abusing Cassie was enough to not listen to his music, but the wickedness was far worse than what that video portrayed. The domestic violence is a manifestation of far greater horrors that she experienced.
I remember when the abuses of R Kelly came out, I’d hear and read of people saying they want to separate the artist from the music; some people wanted the liberty to still enjoy the music, differentiating the artist whose music they could enjoy, and still hold the man accountable. I’m not going to debate that, however, spirits don’t decide to make that separation of man and artist, or woman and artist. What’s diabolical is that, because we lack discernment, or have FOMO, or don’t know any better, we consume these artists’ lives, their music, holding them up to be some beacon of light for the community. However, when you weigh it against the truth of the horrors they have [allegedly] perpetrated, all their seemingly good deeds shatter to pieces.
Was what Diddy “did for Hip Hop” worth it? Was the human cost, careers stolen, stagnated, and the achievements that he is celebrated for worth it?
And for us, the consumers, where do we draw the line to guard ourselves against these people’s influence?
I recall reading an article about R Kelly’s alleged abuses a few years before everything came to light, and feeling disgusted. I was fully convinced that what I’d read was true. But “the music is so good” I told myself. And I was willing to compromise, until everything became more public. The human cost seemed inescapable at that moment.
And it feels like such a loss, to forsake music that, often is more than just instruments and beats, but represent entire shifts in culture, and black pride. But the loss of our souls is greater than the loss of these supposed heroes we prop up because of their achievements for the community.
And the compromises that we are looking to make, if we don’t repent, will replicate in other areas of our lives. We’ll find ourselves protecting people who harm us because of the contributions they have made to the family, or community. There’s no sense of accountability; certainly, no justice. If all of this did not require shedding of blood, and dirty money, and abuses of all sorts, then possibly it would end with the removal of an individual. But what’s horrifying about it all is that spirits don’t die. And we open ourselves up ignorantly to a lot of things, assuming them to be harmless, and they work through us, manifesting in subtle but spiritually harmful ways in some people, and full-blown deviancy in others.
But no one is spared.
I’m certain these exposés will continue on big names. But as they continue to roll out, what are we going to do on an individual level? These revelations have to spark a change. Media is able to manipulate lies as the truth for the sake of money. But we have to take back our souls from them, cast out their manipulation from amongst us. They have a monopoly on spreading darkness, casting lies as the truth, deceiving, and changing what is true into a lie. When I say that we need the light of God, it’s not just for “religious” reasons. There is a game being played, and the stakes are much higher than we realize. We can’t continue acquiescing for the sake of culture, or whatever “freedom” is being offered. Freedom is supposed to set a people free, not keep them bound in chains.
All the people that “mysteriously” died in this documentary are not coming back. But a lot of us, because of ignorance are also walking around spiritually dead. I saw a comment that said that artists went to Diddy for their careers to die. And I wonder what also gets killed in our lives for aligning with these dark spirits. In the documentary, no one’s life was untouched in a negative way. So, we the consumers, do we think just because we’re not in proximity therefore we’ll go off unscathed?
We have to guard our hearts and our ears. What is exposed about R Kelly, or Diddy, or Weinstein doesn’t end there. We buy, endorse their music, films, fashion, lifestyle. They’ve tainted all of us, and made us complicit in a way. We have to renounce this stuff and decide to separate ourselves from it.
“Those whom the son sets free, is free indeed.” It’s time that we sought freedom from the entertainment that has kept us and our communities bound. Jesus offers true freedom; and gives divine empowerment to stand up against the very things that in our own strength, and in our infirmity cannot do for ourselves. Imagine if the men and women around Diddy had had enough boldness and fearlessness to stand up. Would this documentary had been created?
We criticize, myself included, people who don’t stand up to people in power. But the truth is, the loss of income, prestige, of dreams, is too great, so compromising oneself is inevitable. But if we had true, Holy Ghost filled power flowing through people, we’d never hear of such things. We need this in the church too.
