DRESSED TO PROTECT
In her book about her famous father, Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay), Hana Ali wrote the following. …I was wearing a little white tank top and a short black skirt... My father took a good look…. Then, he sat me down on his lap and said something that I will never forget… "Hana, everything that God made valuable in the world is covered and hard to get to. Where do you find diamonds? Deep down in the ground, covered and protected. Where do you find pearls? Deep down at the bottom of the ocean, covered up and protected in a beautiful shell. Where do you find gold? Way down in the mine, covered over with layers and layers of rock…." He looked at me with serious eyes. “Your body is sacred. You're far more precious than diamonds and pearls, and you should be covered too."
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This is wise and biblical council. “…that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation…” (1 Tim. 2:9)
Tragically, society’s trend to expose as much of the flesh as possible has infiltrated the church, particularly in summer. Some Christians attempt to justify immodest attire by claiming that it is the current fashion, or stores sell little else, or that such attire is more comfortable.
Regardless of the excuses given, we should heed three vital teachings from God.
1) (As quoted above) “…women adorn themselves in modest apparel” (1 Tim. 2:9) Modest means “reserved, humble; that which does not draw attention.” By the way, Paul’s statement was a command, not a suggestion.
2) "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matt. 5:27, 28) In other words, fanaticizing is a sinful as doing. Believe me, most men require very little prompting before commencing lustful thoughts.
3) "…whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to... that man by whom the offense comes!” (Matt. 18:6-7) Although we will give account for our own actions (Rom. 14:12), Jesus stressed that those who "cause" (lead, encourage) others to sin will be accountable themselves.
May our Christian men strive to look away from anything that incites lust. And may our Christian women avoid dressing in a way that would cause Christian men to look away…. or lust!
Jesus, always Jesus,
Dennis
In her book about her famous father, Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay), Hana Ali wrote the following. …I was wearing a little white tank top and a short black skirt... My father took a good look…. Then, he sat me down on his lap and said something that I will never forget… "Hana, everything that God made valuable in the world is covered and hard to get to. Where do you find diamonds? Deep down in the ground, covered and protected. Where do you find pearls? Deep down at the bottom of the ocean, covered up and protected in a beautiful shell. Where do you find gold? Way down in the mine, covered over with layers and layers of rock…." He looked at me with serious eyes. “Your body is sacred. You're far more precious than diamonds and pearls, and you should be covered too."
**********************************************************************
This is wise and biblical council. “…that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation…” (1 Tim. 2:9)
Tragically, society’s trend to expose as much of the flesh as possible has infiltrated the church, particularly in summer. Some Christians attempt to justify immodest attire by claiming that it is the current fashion, or stores sell little else, or that such attire is more comfortable.
Regardless of the excuses given, we should heed three vital teachings from God.
1) (As quoted above) “…women adorn themselves in modest apparel” (1 Tim. 2:9) Modest means “reserved, humble; that which does not draw attention.” By the way, Paul’s statement was a command, not a suggestion.
2) "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matt. 5:27, 28) In other words, fanaticizing is a sinful as doing. Believe me, most men require very little prompting before commencing lustful thoughts.
3) "…whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to... that man by whom the offense comes!” (Matt. 18:6-7) Although we will give account for our own actions (Rom. 14:12), Jesus stressed that those who "cause" (lead, encourage) others to sin will be accountable themselves.
May our Christian men strive to look away from anything that incites lust. And may our Christian women avoid dressing in a way that would cause Christian men to look away…. or lust!
Jesus, always Jesus,
Dennis
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