Prostitutes Everywhere!

Who are the Prostitutes in Unlikely Places?

Richard Hollerman

We generally think that a prostitute is a harlot or whore who sells her or his body for sex. Yes, it is this—but it is much more.

Let’s define the word before we discuss it. The Random House Webster’s College Dictionary says that a prostitute is “a women who engages n sexual intercourse for money” or “a man who engages in sexual acts for money.” The American Heritage College Dictionary” says that a prostitute is “one who solicits and accepts payment for sex.” Yes, it is this—but is there something more?

It is the second definition that is of concern to us here. Thus, a prostitute is “one who sells one’s abilities, talent, or name for an unworthy purpose” and prostitution is “the act or an instance of offering or devotion one’s talent unworthily” (The American Heritage College Dictionary). Then, according to Random House Webster’s College Dictionary, a prostitute can be “a person who willingly uses his or her talent or ability in a base and unworthy yes, usually for money.” And prostitution would be “base or unworthy use, as of talent or ability.”

I think that we can see in this additional definition that prostitution is broader than physical sex. It includes the “prostitution” or use of one’s talents in an unworthy way, particularly for money! It can be used of one (a male or female, young or old) who uses one’s body, mind, talents, or abilities to attract or entertain others in a sinful way!

Do you know of anyone who does this? Yes, it is very, very frequent. It is all around us. Every day we are enticed to hear or to watch something sinful that generally will cost us something. Prostitution is all around us. It is ubiquitous. If we are honest, we must say that it is far more prevalent than we might imagine!

If prostitution is found all around us, what are some examples of the prostitutes that we might know? For one, movie stars are almost always displaying their body, their appearance, and their talents for money. And we, the viewers are willing to pay to see and hear their wicked displays! What about books written about certain individuals—even authors who are willing to display their talents to receive the praise and acclaim of the reader?

What about the hundreds—or thousands—of personalities who are willing to display their talents on the TV? Whether this would be drama shows, or talk shows, or shows that display one’s musical ability or any other talent—wouldn’t this also be a form of prostitution? Yes, definitely. And what about magazine and newspaper articles written about certain personalities? What about the writer or reporter who manifests a prideful display of his or her talents?

Can we see that, in a sense, all of this is a form of prostitution? It is a subtle and malicious form of prostitution! These people are displaying their talents and expertise for money. They are “selling” themselves and their bodies for sinful purposes. Thus Scripture is right when it says, “the love of money is a root of all sort of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10a). Would it not be true that many (most?) of those who prostitute their talents, abilities, beauty, or physical prowess to gain financial rewards are demonstrating the truthfulness of this Biblical maxim?

Are you and I contributing to this waste of one’s talents? Did God give a woman her physical beauty or give a man his handsome appearance in order to display this before others? We do well to go to the Bible verse that asks, “Who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not receive it?” (1 Corinthians 4:7). Ask yourself: Did God the Creator give a woman or a man their physical attractiveness in order to draw attention to self? Did He give this to a man or a woman so that they might win awards, receive public approval, or be given adoring support?

Would God do anything that would promote this sort of adulation when He has already plainly said, “Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; assuredly, he will not be unpunished” (Proverbs 16:5). And let’s lot overlook verse 18: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling.” Pride is anathema to God! Surely He would not approve anything that would promote a prideful attitude—the very thing that these public forms of “prostitution” will do—whether on TV, or in movies, or in books or magazines, or on musical venues, on the internet, or anything else!

When will we all cease promoting prostitution in any form? We may not drive into the city and look for pimps or hookers who would engage in actual physical prostitution. But let’s not think that other forms of prostitution—such as we have been discussing—are fine. No, God looks on the heart and will judge us rightly for promoting or condoning every form of prostitution. What about you?