Don't Stare at Me: Reclaiming Body Image, Beauty, and Identity (Sex, Love, and God Series)

Aug 21, 2017

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How confronting the cultural lies about body image, beauty, and identity can free us to live in the restored image of God. In episode three of the Sex, Love & God series, Mike Erre takes us deep into Song of Songs 1:1-8 to unpack the powerful truth behind the phrase "Do not stare at me," exposing our culture’s toxic standards of beauty and inviting listeners into a radically different story rooted in image-bearing, not performance.

Through biblical reflection, historical context, and raw personal engagement, Mike invites us to rethink what it means to be human, to be loved, and to be seen—not as objectified bodies but as divine image-bearers in a world of Hellenistic distortions.

Key Takeaways: • What Song of Songs Teaches About Insecurity – Exploring the ancient woman's plea, "Do not stare at me because I am dark," and how her vulnerability speaks directly to today's struggles with body image and cultural beauty norms. • The Legacy of Hellenism on Body Image – Tracing the history of “ideal beauty” from Alexander the Great to modern celebrity culture, and how ancient Greek ideals still shape our perception of worth. • The Broken and Reconstituted Image of God – How Genesis and New Testament passages point to the core truth that our value is rooted in being image-bearers, not our looks or sexual performance. • Healing from Shame and Objectification – Understanding how Jesus doesn’t just make us feel “pretty enough” but destroys the entire false system that promotes shame, comparison, and commodification of people. • Learning to Be Fully Known and Loved – Strong reflections on insecurity, sexuality, and porn addiction—not from judgment, but from personal experience, grace, and the hope of transformation. • Community as a Site of Resistance and Healing – A powerful moment from the live event where women are prayed over by men, inviting a revolutionary countercultural act of honor, accountability, and restorative love.

Notable Quotes: • "Only the beautiful are loved. To not be beautiful is to be unloved. That’s the lie of Hellenism—and it’s wrecking us." • "We take our beautiful people and modify them. That’s how sick culture has become." • “Jesus doesn’t want to improve your self-esteem, he wants to destroy the thing that makes beauty a measuring stick of worth in the first place.”

Resources Mentioned: • Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/voxpodcast • Watch Voxology on YouTube: VOXOLOGY TV • Join the Vox Community Group on Facebook • Email questions or feedback: hello@voxpodcast.com

Join the conversation, share this episode, and help spread a better, truer story about beauty, community, and restoration. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow Voxology Podcast on social media.

We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV

Our Merch Store: ETSY

Learn more: Voxology Podcast

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon

The Voxology Spotify channel: Voxology Radio

Follow Mike on Twitter: @mikeerre

Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford – Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.

We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV.

Our Merch Store! ETSY

Learn more about the Voxology Podcast

Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify

Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon

The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio

Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre

Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy