Some of us think that we should be allowed to wear whatever clothes are fashionable because God loves us just how we are. It’s true that God loves us, but I can tell you now that He is NOT happy when we use our bodies. The bible would class it as ‘sexual immorality’ because whether you think it’s harmless or not, wearing skimpy clothes and showing off what shouldn’t be for sale is a sign of sexuality.
COVER UP
Seriously, cover your private parts. There’s a reason they’re labeled as private. Show me a verse of scripture that says “use your body to make other people look at you”, or “be sexy so that during church boys are peeking at your legs and cleavage”.
Here’s what I read in the bible:
“ ‘Food for the stomach and the stomach for food’ – but God will destroy them both. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.” 1Corinthians 6:13 [words of Paul]
“But among you there must not even be a hint of sexual immorality or any kind of impurity, or of greed, for these are improper for God’s holy people.” Ephesians 5:3 [words of Paul]
A Pastor told me a story about a time he was in a group praying for a young man.
A girl knelt down to lay hands on the youth and pray for him. The Pastor could not help but notice that he could see right down her low-cut shirt and see EVERYTHING. Her lacy bra, the shape of her boobs. He felt incredibly uncomfortable knowing that any young man standing in the group would be able to see exactly the same thing.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery’. But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:27-28 [words of Jesus]
Read that verse in light of the Pastors’ story.
So these good kids are praying to the Lord and hey ho, one guy accidentally gets an eyeful of a pretty girls’ chest. He’s a good kid, so he looks away, but the damage has been done. Boys are visual. They get a glimpse of you, they’ll never get it out of their heads. He will struggle to get that image out of his mind when he’s lying in bed. He might make up graphic scenes in his head about touching you. And congratulations, you just made him sin. YOU did.
This doesn’t mean we all have to wear a nun’s habit. It just means thinking about these things when you throw on an outfit or buy new clothes:
1. What is my motive with this outfit? (wanting to look nice or cool or rock is fine – wanting to draw attention to certain body parts isn’t)
2. THE CLEAVAGE TEST: Stand in front of a mirror and bend over. This is what everyone else sees, and not just when you’re picking something up. People taller than you will get a peep of that all the time. Wear a higher singlet under your shirt if it’s too low-cut or top-baggy.
3. THE SHORT SHIRT TEST: Stand in front of the mirror and reach up. Belly showing? Bend over. Back or butt showing? Try to buy a couple of really long singlets to wear under shirts. Not only do layers look really cute, but it avoids some serious plumbers’ crack.
4. How short are your shorts? Does your skirt resemble a belt rather than an item of clothing? Why not just walk around without pants on? It’s the same effect. Guys know they are getting to see almost all of you and they’ll fantasize about the rest in their minds. Shorts and skirts are great, but be aware of the effect of your legs on guys around you. I personally don’t go any higher than an inch or so above my knee.
Remember that we’re not saying every girl should turn into a frumpy turtle-neck-wearing, baggy pant-ed prude. You can still express your personality through your clothes. Just realize the destructive impact your clothing (or lack of) DOES impact young men. A survey of guys even showed that some of them are turned on just by seeing your shoulders. Imagine what happens when they see all of your thighs, your belly or your chest? And here’s another gross thought – there might be some cute guys in your youth group you want to impress, but there’s also a whole other sphere of males in the world. There’s perverts, rapists, icky old men. Do you want them thinking that stuff about you at night too?
We’re so serious about this issue. It makes me sad to walk into youth groups and see girls with everything on display. It isn’t honoring to them, their future husband, or to God.
Take the challenge with us. Check out your wardrobe. Check out your motives. Impress guys by being in love with the Lord rather than giving them a visual eyeful that costs more than you can imagine.
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