Dear Sparkly,
I've read a lot about the big swimsuit issue in the Christian culture. As the etiquette teacher, what are your thoughts?
Covered Up
I, too, have read blogs all over the internet about the Christian fashion crisis revolving around what is to be considered modest. There are a lot of people who are choosing to let this become a bigger issue than I think necessary. So here are my thoughts on the arguments.
1) "Women need to help keep their brothers in Christ from stumbling."
First of all, there's no way to entirely hinder someone from stumbling. However, believers are called to not lead others, whether they are a believer or not, into temptation. We struggle with temptation enough without having help. We are told to "flee from sexual immorality" (1 Corinthians 6:18) so if you know that what you're wearing is going to cause a man to think of you in a sexual way, even if he doesn't vocalize it, then steer clear.
Men, if a woman you're around is wearing something that makes you think of her sexually, please address the issue. Tell her why you think her outfit is not a good choice. She needs to know that what she's wearing around you is making it difficult to avoid thinking of her in a certain way. The more you men do this, the more women will think twice before wearing that outfit again. And if she doesn't listen, and continues to wear that type of clothing, FLEE!
2) "Men are responsible for their thoughts."
Yes, they are. One of my favorite verses says "Let the words of my mouth and the MEDITATIONS OF MY HEART be pleasing in your sight, oh Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer" (Psalm 19:14). We are in charge of our thoughts, especially what we decide to "meditate" on.
This all goes back to the first section. If what someone is wearing is causing sin, then that needs to be addressed. We are supposed to be honest and point out flaws. Just be loving and kind.
3) "Modesty is different all over the world. Some countries, or religions, require women to cover up everything, while some places are fully accepting of nudity. Who's to say that what I'm wearing is or isn't modest?"
Yes, what is culturally acceptable varies. But what God considers acceptable doesn't. This isn't about a cultural thing, it's about a honoring-God-with-your-body thing.
"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
If you truly desire to honor God with your body, then think over the choices you make when selecting clothing. If what you wear is going to lead someone's thought life into sin, then that isn't honoring to God. If what you're wearing is going to make someone idolize your body, then that's not honoring to God.
In Galatians 5, there is a whole list of fleshly desires....sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies... If what you're wearing if going to cause any of these to occur, that's not honoring to God.
4) "It's my body, I can wear what I want."
Your body is not your own. "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple." 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Understanding this point is a HUGE part of spiritual growth. Our bodies are a gift from God. He designed them to do His work. Think of your body as a company car, just for a minute. If your boss gave you a really nice car then he's obviously trusting that you have the wisdom to know how to take care of the car. Imagine if your boss put one of those advertisement wraps on the car. So anywhere you go, your company and your boss, are represented. People on the road know who your work for, who you represent. If you drive like a crazy person then all the other drivers can pick up their phones and call your boss and report your awful driving.
When we promote ourselves as Christians, then it's like driving around that wrapped car. We are telling others, as we should, that we belong to God. And when we choose to misuse our bodies, who's going to want to listen to us? Even among other Christians, we should be mindful of our lives.
So that's my thoughts on the swimsuit issue.
If you have any fashion, beauty, or etiquette questions email me at sparklyinthecity@gmail.com
I've read a lot about the big swimsuit issue in the Christian culture. As the etiquette teacher, what are your thoughts?
Covered Up
I, too, have read blogs all over the internet about the Christian fashion crisis revolving around what is to be considered modest. There are a lot of people who are choosing to let this become a bigger issue than I think necessary. So here are my thoughts on the arguments.
1) "Women need to help keep their brothers in Christ from stumbling."
First of all, there's no way to entirely hinder someone from stumbling. However, believers are called to not lead others, whether they are a believer or not, into temptation. We struggle with temptation enough without having help. We are told to "flee from sexual immorality" (1 Corinthians 6:18) so if you know that what you're wearing is going to cause a man to think of you in a sexual way, even if he doesn't vocalize it, then steer clear.
Men, if a woman you're around is wearing something that makes you think of her sexually, please address the issue. Tell her why you think her outfit is not a good choice. She needs to know that what she's wearing around you is making it difficult to avoid thinking of her in a certain way. The more you men do this, the more women will think twice before wearing that outfit again. And if she doesn't listen, and continues to wear that type of clothing, FLEE!
2) "Men are responsible for their thoughts."
Yes, they are. One of my favorite verses says "Let the words of my mouth and the MEDITATIONS OF MY HEART be pleasing in your sight, oh Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer" (Psalm 19:14). We are in charge of our thoughts, especially what we decide to "meditate" on.
This all goes back to the first section. If what someone is wearing is causing sin, then that needs to be addressed. We are supposed to be honest and point out flaws. Just be loving and kind.
3) "Modesty is different all over the world. Some countries, or religions, require women to cover up everything, while some places are fully accepting of nudity. Who's to say that what I'm wearing is or isn't modest?"
Yes, what is culturally acceptable varies. But what God considers acceptable doesn't. This isn't about a cultural thing, it's about a honoring-God-with-your-body thing.
"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
If you truly desire to honor God with your body, then think over the choices you make when selecting clothing. If what you wear is going to lead someone's thought life into sin, then that isn't honoring to God. If what you're wearing is going to make someone idolize your body, then that's not honoring to God.
In Galatians 5, there is a whole list of fleshly desires....sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies... If what you're wearing if going to cause any of these to occur, that's not honoring to God.
4) "It's my body, I can wear what I want."
Your body is not your own. "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple." 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Understanding this point is a HUGE part of spiritual growth. Our bodies are a gift from God. He designed them to do His work. Think of your body as a company car, just for a minute. If your boss gave you a really nice car then he's obviously trusting that you have the wisdom to know how to take care of the car. Imagine if your boss put one of those advertisement wraps on the car. So anywhere you go, your company and your boss, are represented. People on the road know who your work for, who you represent. If you drive like a crazy person then all the other drivers can pick up their phones and call your boss and report your awful driving.
When we promote ourselves as Christians, then it's like driving around that wrapped car. We are telling others, as we should, that we belong to God. And when we choose to misuse our bodies, who's going to want to listen to us? Even among other Christians, we should be mindful of our lives.
So that's my thoughts on the swimsuit issue.
If you have any fashion, beauty, or etiquette questions email me at sparklyinthecity@gmail.com
Comments
Post a Comment