No, I am not talking about hunting for black bears that occasionally make their way down from the mountains. However, with warmer temperatures approaching, it will soon be the season for exposing (because of summer temperatures) bare or nearly bare bodies. Christians, young and old, must give thought to how we should dress, lest the "bare" season claim us as casualties. We need to guard carefully against being seen in public in the immodest, unchaste, and ungodly attire associated with the summer season.
Please be reminded, our clothes do send a message. The promiscuous woman who set a trap for the "simple" young man who was "void of understanding" knew what kind of clothing would entice her victim. She met him wearing "the attire of a harlot." (Proverbs 7:10) Is it any wonder that we have been influenced by the humanistic philosophy that so dominates our society? Lewd, sexually enticing commercials are used to sell everything from toothpaste to cereal, from health-spa memberships to automobiles. Displaying near-nudity has become so commonplace that children view it as a normal part of life. When you oppose something they want to wear, do they ever argue: "well, I don't see anything wrong with it," or "everyone else is wearing that?" Don't think Christians aren't influenced by the society that surrounds us. Surely, this is a problem we must address.
After God finished His creation, He said it was "very good." (Genesis 1:27-31) Remember, God made the bodies of man and woman attractive to each other. He also created in each a sexual desire for the other. However, from the beginning, God placed boundaries around man and woman, limiting their desires for one another and permitting their fulfillment only through marriage. Only in marriage can they become "one flesh;" only there is the "bed undefiled;" only there shall a man "look upon a woman to lust after her." (Cf. Genesis 2:18-25; Hebrews 13:4; Matthew 5:27-28)
God made man responsible. When men and women dress in such a way as to promote inordinate and unlawful urges, they promote lasciviousness. The apostle Paul said, "Those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." (Galatians 5:19-21) The one who either carelessly or callously displays his/her body in such a way as to invite and provoke lust commits sin and shares responsibility for sin committed by others. No Christian who is interested in his or her soul's welfare, or the welfare of others, would wantonly jeopardize that soul.
What should a Christian do? Rather than become upset, think soberly and righteously. When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, they sowed fig leaves together to make for themselves aprons (hagorah), meaning they made loin coverings for themselves. At that time, Adam was as well attired as many today would consider themselves in their swimming attire. Yet, when God approached him and Eve in the garden, they hid themselves because, as Adam said, "I was naked." Adam was not totally unclothed, for he wore the apron he had made, but God, not denying that he was naked, said, "Who told you that you were naked...?" (Genesis 3:10-11) The Lord made for Adam and his wife "coats of skins and clothed them." (Genesis 3:21) God did not do this to protect them from thorns and elements; He did it to cover their nakedness.
Consider also Peter's reaction when he learned that Jesus was on the beach (John 21:7ff). Peter had laid aside his outer garment while he was working at catching fish. Though he had on his inner garment (tunic), he was regarded as "naked." Yet, because of his eagerness to see the Lord, and unwilling to wait until the boat came to shore, Peter put his outer garment back on, dove into the sea, and swam to shore. When Peter swam to present himself before the Lord, he put on more, not less, clothing. Evidently, he did not want to approach his Lord in improper attire. These principles are timeless, and we need to teach and be taught that human attraction is a powerful thing, and that the generated appeal must be respected and carefully treated. When women adorn themselves in clothing that reveals the most alluring parts of their bodies, or when men dress so as to provoke impure thoughts, surely we are not thinking and living soberly.
"Not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things. For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age." (Titus 2:10-12)
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith." (Romans 12:2,3)
"In like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works." (1 Timothy 2:9,10)
Brother Galloway has discussed a serious subject with which many Christians appear to have a problem during the summer months. Summer and warm weather do not change our duty to God and our responsibility to be good influences and set proper examples before others. The fashion of the day and the hot weather do not determine the proper clothing for Christians to wear.
How can Christians honestly say they can go to public swimming places, water parks, or swimming with males and females and see no danger of sending improper messages! How do you control the minds of other individuals who will be seeing more of you then they should? One of the constant arguments presented to me has been: "If they lust at the way I'm attired, they have dirty minds, and they have the problem, not me."
"Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way." (Romans 14:13) Knowing that a man is excited ten times more easily by sight, wouldn't a godly woman always dress in a way that does not provoke lustful thoughts? And wouldn't a godly man, knowing how easily he can be drawn into lustful thinking, take certain precautions not to place himself in a position where he is tempted to lust? Sadly, during the past few years, many Christians have dismissed their responsibilities to conduct themselves so as not to cause others to stumble. How does such reasoning manifest their love for God and concern for their souls?
Brethren, let us take seriously the God-given duty to avoid presenting a stumbling block in another's way by dressing immodestly or engaging in sinful activities. While others may "shed clothes in the heat," let's not lose our sense of propriety in our manner of dress during the summer months. Dear reader, would you want to cause another brother or sister to be lost? Think soberly! (KMG)