26th June 2021
BLEACHING
David Abankwah
READ: Song of Songs 1:5-6
Can the ETHIOPIAN CHANGE HIS SKIN or the leopard its spots? Then may you also do good who are accustomed to do evil.
-Jeremiah 13:23 | NKJV
The Word Health Organisation defines bleaching as ‘the intentional
alteration of one’s natural skin colour to one relatively if not substantially lighter in colour, through the use of chemical skin lighting agents, either manufactured homemade or the combination of the two.’ Bleaching which is a sin has become a fashion many people engage themselves in. It has even become a normal thing for even believers. There are many reasons that influence one to engage him or herself in bleaching. These reasons include 1. SKIN PIGMENTATION PROBLEMS: Skin problems such as vitiligo can cause the skin to develop patches that are much
lighter than the normal skin tone.
- CULTURAL INFLUENCE: In certain countries, there is a stigma attached to being darker-skinned. Many youths are encouraged by others to bleaching their skin to lighten their colour. 3. GIVING THE SKIN A GLOW: Before special occasions such as weddings, anniversaries or honeymoons, some women choose to use skin bleaching products to give themselves a glow before their special day. 4. OVER-THE-COUNTER PRODUCTS: Many skin bleaching products are sold over the counter in the form of lotions, topical solutions, creams, soaps, and sprays. There are others who have even developed an inordinate taste for such products.
- RACISM: Many Africans have for time immemorial, suffered the constant abuse of being referred to as ‘monkeys.’
The worst culprits of such abuse are the sportsmen and women who ply their trade in Europe and other parts of the world. Many African players have in the past reduced to tears by slurs from on-field opponents and spectators. Owing to the constant racial discrimination that many Africans are often subjected to, there has been a mad-rush by many Africans to look just like the white. Beauty is not defined by only the outer looks but the entirety of one’s personality. Therefore light skin cannot set the benchmark for beauty at all.
The Bible has a say about bleaching. First of all, bleaching is a sin onto God (Jeremiah 13:33). Second, it is an insult to God who created us in His own image and likeness (Genesis 1:27). God doesn’t know any black or white person, what God knows are His images and likenesses. Skin bleaching has severe health problems such as leukaemia, cancer of the internal organs, and above all, it is a silent killer too. It will shock you that, there are people who practise vaginal bleaching, thus the changing of the colour of one’s vulva/labia from dark to pink which was once reserved for pornographic stars and strippers, but now many people are practising it.
•| Prayer Diary |•
Lord Jesus, thank you for your Word today that teaches us to refrain from bleaching. Forgive me for any thoughts and actions of bleaching. Lift up prayers for the strength not to engage in any act of bleaching in the name of Jesus Christ.
Quote
“God doesn’t know any black or white person; what God knows are His images and likenesses”
One-Year Bible Reading Plan
Psalms Chapters 119
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© 2021 David Abankwah
David Abankwah 