Clothing and Lust

[joshuabgood]

Can what is adequate "covering of the body" in the various contexts/cultures be one conversation. Can "modesty" in clothing be a different conversation. And sexual perversions, also a different conversation.

That is the way I would lean.Coverage is one thing...and context makes a big difference. And full nudity is appropriate in some contexts. (ie changing a diaper). Modesty is another thing and one can be fully covered and be extravagantly appareled. Same as a house can be immodest. Sexual perversions are not constrained or caused by modesty or coverage and should be another conversation.

In Adam and Eve's case, they were married, presumably, and presumably no one else was even there, and yet, it was fitting that they be covered.

[anndet92]

Boys should. I know of men who are tempted to lust whenever men are not dressed appropriately.

Boys aren’t told to protect their sisters. Boys are not constantly harassed about their clothing.

I think they should be told to protect their sisters. I think they should be regularly instructed about their clothing.

Please don’t. Teach them instead to dress appropriately for the activity they’re doing.

But don’t put their sisters purity on their shoulders.

[Ernie]

Boys aren’t told to protect their sisters. Boys are not constantly harassed about their clothing.

I think they should be told to protect their sisters. I think they should be regularly instructed about their clothing.

Please don’t. Teach them instead to dress appropriately for the activity they’re doing.

But don’t put their sisters purity on their shoulders.

Western society began taking this path about a hundred years ago, and there is nothing that has resulted from this emphasis that has produced something more valuable, IMO. I consider this a reaction that has resulted in worse problems, not less.

Again, there is a huge difference in my mind between putting the purity of others on someone else's shoulders, vs. dressing in a way that does not cause unnecessary temptations. A person can get up in the morning and think about dressing in an appropriate manner so as to not call attention to their bodies and then forget about it the rest of the day. No feeling of burden or needing to shoulder the responsibility. If children are feeling burdened, it has to do with the way it is presented, not with the inherent principles or values that support the practice.

[anndet92]

My mom told me I needed to keep my ankles covered so that men don’t lust.

If she indicated that men won't lust if they don't see ankles, that is indeed a problem.

But why would it not be appropriate to dress in such a way as to make it easier for some men (not all men) to be unnecessarily tempted to lust?

“Easier?”

It is extremely confusing for girls when we are told that God made our bodies good, but simultaneously told that are bodies are tempting to men. Especially when James says that God does not tempt anyone, and that man is tempted when he is drawn away by his OWN LUST.

[anndet92]

I think they should be told to protect their sisters. I think they should be regularly instructed about their clothing.

Please don’t. Teach them instead to dress appropriately for the activity they’re doing.

But don’t put their sisters purity on their shoulders.

Western society began taking this path about a hundred years ago, and there is nothing that has resulted from this emphasis that has produced something more valuable, IMO. I consider this a reaction that has resulted in worse problems, not less.

Again, there is a huge difference in my mind between putting the purity of others on someone else's shoulders, vs. dressing in a way that does not cause unnecessary temptations. A person can get up in the morning and think about dressing in an appropriate manner so as to not call attention to their bodies and then forget about it the rest of the day. No feeling of burden or needing to shoulder the responsibility. If children are feeling burdened, it has to do with the way it is presented, not with the inherent principles or values that support the practice.

I can’t change your mind.

But don’t be surprised when the girls/boys are raped by church members, and eventually walk away from church and God.

[Ernie]

My mom told me I needed to keep my ankles covered so that men don’t lust.

If she indicated that men won't lust if they don't see ankles, that is indeed a problem.

But why would it not be appropriate to dress in such a way as to make it easier for some men (not all men) to be unnecessarily tempted to lust?

“Easier?”

This is maybe wording it better.

But why would it not be appropriate to dress in a way that makes it easier for some men—not all men—to avoid being unnecessarily tempted to lust?

It is extremely confusing for girls when we are told that God made our bodies good, but simultaneously told that are bodies are tempting to men. Especially when James says that God does not tempt anyone, and that man is tempted when he is drawn away by his OWN LUST.

Girls do not need to be told this. They will experience this at some point in life without any teaching. Many ladies have wished someone would have told them. Why not give them a heads up at some point so they don't need to find out the hard way by experience?

Again, this does not excuse men for not thinking the way God wants them to think.

[Grace]

Modesty is about self-respect and being pleased and feeling blessed to be a woman (or man). It also means to not dress in a way that confuses your gender with a man (or woman).

And the Bible does teach self-respect, and mutual respect. Depending how we dress our appearance can affect fellow believers.

1 Corinthians 10:31–33: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God—even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.”

Women should be aware of how their dress and how their appearance affects their brothers in Christ,

Every person is responsible for their thoughts and heart, making sure those aspects are at the right place. But as Christian women shouldn’t we have enough of respect for ourselves and fellow believers to be an encouragement to our brothers in Christ, versus a detriment, by the way we dress.

Many women say they want to dress like they want, no matter what. But I view that as self-centered and ungodly. As Christians when can we do anything in life, just as we please without regard for others?

[ken_sylvania]

The Genesis account about Adam and Eve discovering their nakedness is, I believe, instructive for us.
They hid from God, not necessarily from one another, because they were ashamed of their nakedness. Maybe if we had a better concept of God and a better sense of the shame of nakedness we would have more of an incentive to dress modestly.

[anndet92]

If she indicated that men won't lust if they don't see ankles, that is indeed a problem.

But why would it not be appropriate to dress in such a way as to make it easier for some men (not all men) to be unnecessarily tempted to lust?

“Easier?”

This is maybe wording it better.

But why would it not be appropriate to dress in a way that makes it easier for some men—not all men—to avoid being unnecessarily tempted to lust?

It is extremely confusing for girls when we are told that God made our bodies good, but simultaneously told that are bodies are tempting to men. Especially when James says that God does not tempt anyone, and that man is tempted when he is drawn away by his OWN LUST.

Girls do not need to be told this. They will experience this at some point in life without any teaching. Many ladies have wished someone would have told them. Why not give them a heads up at some point so they don't need to find out the hard way by experience?


Thank you for admitting in that last paragraph that girls/women are sexualized regularly in the church.

Earlier in this conversation, someone didn’t like that I put Hollywood and conservative Christian culture in the same box.

[Grace]

It is extremely confusing for girls when we are told that God made our bodies good, but simultaneously told that are bodies are tempting to men.

Girls can be taught that God made their bodies good, also they can be taught the biology, hormonal responses, and hardwired neurological systems of men's brains, without denigrating their bodies.