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GUEST ARTICLE
NAKEDNES
When I was in Berlin a few years ago, I was traveling
on the underground commuter train with my American missionary
host. I was startled and grieved as we entered and exited
various trains to see little shops by the tracks with gross
pornography being displayed. Some of this was full frontal
nudity prominently positioned to catch the eye of every
traveler.
As social mores decline more and more toward hedonism and
moral degradation, we ought not to be surprised to see more
and more nakedness. Pornography has now made it to the worldwide
web. Sales of x-rated materials and movies are exceedingly
popular. Purveyors of filth sell millions of their so called
magazines to an insatiable public with a voracious appetite
for more. One wonders what shocking sights lie ahead in a
world that seems to be in a moral free fall.
Regardless of how the world undresses and exhibits flesh,
a committed believer must be aware of the shame of nakedness,
and seek to dress modestly. Our dress, demeanor and deportment
must be holy and different from our world.
OUR APPEARANCE SENDS A MESSAGE
Even as a member of the armed forces is immediately recognized
by his distinctive uniform, everyone sends a message or makes
a statement about who they are by what and how they wear
clothing. Even in the days of the Old Testament, a harlot
was known by her distinctive dress which set her apart from
women who dressed modestly:
Proverbs 7:10 "...there
met him a woman with the attire of a harlot..."
When Tamar conspired to lie with her father-in-law Judah,
she put her widow's garments off from her." (Genesis
38:14). Because of her distinctive dress and actions, Judah
took her to be a harlot and treated her accordingly.
In the above instance, Scripture presents a woman whose
flesh was covered, but who was distinctively seductive, and
whose attire told the world around her she was of wrong moral
character. On this basis, how can we condone our wives and
daughters wearing clothing that may well cover their bodies,
but by its fashion, cut or material used; the outline of
portions of the body are so highlighted and accentuated as
to cause a seductive, alluring appearance.
IGNORANCE OR DELIBERATE ACTIONS?
Tamar knew what she was doing when she appeared in such
a distinctive way. She intended to tempt and allure Judah
to compromise his morals.
Because men are tempted through what they see, (Prov. 27:20;
Job 31:1), Tamar's plan was eminently successful. If you
do not believe men are drawn to look at seductive and alluring
women, start watching their eyes in the presence of such
women.
A question that begs to be asked is, “Why would any woman
who professes to know Christ as her Savior dress in such
a way as to be seductive and alluring?" She may protest
her clothing covers her body and the hem is below her knee;
but does it highlight or accentuate parts of her body that
only ought to be seen by her husband? Slit skirts are specifically
designed to tease a mans' eyes and appeal to his lower nature;
tight, formfitting designs shamelessly publicize body parts
and contours that ought to be private; clinging or translucent
materials also are specifically designed to be provocative
and revealing. If a sister is honestly unaware of how her
dress is defrauding every man who views her, she ought to
listen to a Godly, older woman (Titus 2:3) in the flock,
or the Pastor's [sic] wife concerning her dress. But from
what most women tell me, this type of seductive fashion is
usually not accidental or ignorant. How tragic! Many like
Tamar, set out to deliberately attract the carnal eyes of
men and tempt them to wrong desires even though they could
technically say their bodies are "covered."
AN OVERWHELMING TEMPTATION
A Godly David was compromised by viewing a young woman in
a state of nakedness (II Samuel 12:2). The powerful impact
of nakedness on a man's libido and carnal nature is so compelling,
wise men will take steps to avoid such sights if at all possible.
Our Lord categorically told Satan it was unlawful to tempt
God (Luke 4:12); that is, put him to the test. Any man purposely
viewing pornography, X-rated materials, racy novels, or looking
on wrongly dressed women to lust after them is tempting the
Lord. He is putting himself deliberately in the pathway of
temptation. No man can lightly face this temptation. As the
Scripture says, "Many strong men have been slain by
her" (Prov. 7:27), where does this leave ordinary and
weak men?
COVERING: A SYMBOL OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
For fallen man, nakedness is a moral problem, and God provided
coats of sins to cover his nakedness (Gen. 3:21). This act
necessitated the shedding of blood of an innocent victim,
and provided "robes of righteousness" for man.
Note, what God provided was a "coat," not a bikini
or skimpy dress. According to Genesis 37: 3, a "coat" is
just what the name implies: a large outer covering for the
whole body.
It seems plain that God wants most of our flesh covered.
Leviticus abounds with warnings against uncovering "nakedness" of
people (Lev. 18), because this sign of intimacy was only
for legitimate, lawful marriage partners.
WITH WHAT IS NAKEDNESS ASSOCIATED?
Habakkuk 2:15 implies that drunkenness and nakedness are
associated. When under control of a wrong spirit (intoxicating
liquors), one will do shameful things that the Holy Spirit
would never prompt us to do (Eph. 5:18). Noah did the same
(Gen. 9).
It is also of note that the Gadarene demoniac was naked
('Wore no clothes" Luke 8:27). When however, he was
delivered of evil spirits he was "clothed and in his
right mind" (Luke 8:35).
Nakedness was also a sign of degradation and debauchery
the people of God learned from the world (Egypt). While Moses
was communing with the Lord, several fell to idolatry and
evil actions which included various stages of undress: "Moses
saw that the people were naked" (Exodus. 32:25), and
this nakedness was a shame! "...for Aaron had made them
naked unto their shame" (Exo. 32:25).
Such shame concerning nakedness is of great concern to God
if not to us. It was important enough for Ham to be cursed
over seeing his father’s nakedness (Gen. 9:22).
As if to add to their humiliation, prisoners in the Biblical
world were sometimes marched away naked so their "shame
would be public and magnified" (Isaiah. 20:4). Again
and again, the Scripture portrays nakedness as a shame: Rev.
3:l8, 16:15. Note, it was the Laodiceans who were naked (perhaps
in both a spiritual and physical sense), and did not realize
how shameful they were (Rev. 3:18). It was obvious to God,
but not to them. carnal, lukewarm professors are capable
of various stages of nakedness It is no compliment to a person's
spirituality that they wear revealing fashions, go mixed
swimming, or in other ways flaunt their nakedness. Modesty
is always in style (I Tim. 2:9).
COVER THE OUTER MAN,
DEVELOP THE INNER MAN
Godly, modest clothing, that covers a person's body sends
a message about Godly inner character (I Pet. 3:4). "The
King's daughter is all glorious within!" (Psalm 45:13).
Conversely, formfitting dresses, gauchos and pants, and various
forms of nakedness as "swim suits," shorts, sun
suits, bare chests, slit skirts, mini skirts, unbuttoned
shirts and blouses, etc., send a message about wrong inner
character. Why would anyone professing Christ appear in a
state of dress that Scripture associates with: a fallen nature,
drunkenness, demon possession, debauchery, degradation, idolatry,
loose morals, being a prisoner, being carnal and shameful?
POPULARITY VS. HOLINESS
My friend, you may be fashionable, but you are not spiritual
in your nakedness. You may be in the majority, but you are
not a part of the remnant. You may have the world's smile
of approval, but you are not holy. You may get many to see
your thigh (hip to knee -- Isa. 47:23), but God's Word calls
it nakedness and shameful! The Lord Jesus has counsel for
those in various stages of nakedness: "That thou mayest
be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear
... be zealous therefore and repent!" (Rev. 3:1819).
Ronald Williams
Hephzibah
House
508 School Street, Winina Lake, IN 46590
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