There has been a lot of publicity about the modern trend toward exposure of the human body, especially female, in the secular press and the news media but very little has been published in the church papers.
The opinion of worldly people seems to be divided according to circumstances or areas. We thank God that many do still favor modesty and decency. Sad to say, however, there is an increasing trend toward permissiveness, immorality and nudity in both dress and practice. This is bound to have an effect on our Christian homes and schools and upon us all as we live and work in the business world about us.
The world‘s view – You do not have to go far today to realize what the situation is. Newspapers and television portray blatant sex and immorality openly and boldly. These become the means to entertain a pleasure-mad world. Of course, the present extremes in openness of sexual behavior and increasing nudity are the result of semi–nudity which has always infected the fashion and activity of mankind. But sexy dress was almost always associated only with the prostitute who used it to stir up sexual desires in men. Now, however, even what used to be forbidden is condoned and even promoted in our lawless and permissive society.
In our present climate, nudity and pornography arc called artistic. Extra-marital sex is considered to he meaningful and healthy. Business is using “sex-appeal” to catch the eye and capture the dollar of customers. Sunbathing women drop their tops at the beach as part of their new rights. In one place, whether or not they would be allowed to continue to do so was to he decided by a straw vote in a last November election. This came as the decision of the city council after a stormy debate with shouts, laughter, and applause. One elderly man remarked: “If I saw a girl go topless I would take a good hot look. I am not a dirty old man, 1 am just a sexy senior citizen.” Even in schools, teachers complain that sexy dress is a temptation and invitation for sexual crime.
“Nude dancers bare up to male stares!” This was a headline recently of a daily newspaper. An accompanying article informed the readers of the beauty of nude dancing. A girl who was interviewed in the nude said that she enjoyed her naked performance.
“I really like it when they applaud,” she said. The article also stated: “Two detectives testified they attended a performance and witnessed girls providing patrons with a gynecologist’s view of female private parts as they twisted about on round, rug-covered stands in front of mirrors.” The defense contended that such displays, if presented with taste and a certain amount of artistry, should no longer be deemed obscene! The judge, who had also witnessed a performance, said it left him with doubt as to whether it was offensive to modesty or decency. He did not think it was capable of depraving or corrupting the ordinary members of the community. Webster: “decency, that which is fit or suitable in words of behavior.”
There are many places and parks throughout the world where nudity is legalized as a “health fad,” or to entertain people, or for beauty contests. Most of the performers are female. The result is that the feminist movement starts to complain and demand to see the nude male! Well, they get what they want.
The swimming suit is becoming smaller and smaller. The bikini and string suits have introduced nudism on the beaches. In many beach communities lawyers are in court defending nudity on the beaches. This goes on in spite of police reports that such exposure leads to an increase of sexual crimes. Many courts have rules that public nudity and pornographic literature are not indecent but artistic! But someone did suggest that the following sign be posted: “DANGER – NUDE BEACH!”
This phenomenon of nudism and permissiveness in our present culture did not happen overnight. Satan has worked slowly and systematically to change morality to immorality. He knows that fashion has much to do with the life style of the human race. The older people know full well that some of the sexy clothing we see nowadays is more suggestive than that which prostitutes wore forty years ago. And, whether we believe it or not, prostitutes know that suggestive sexy dress will arouse sexual desire.
It is tale that not all women who wear the modern daring fashions intend this kind of sinful reaction or may be aware of it. Even so the Devil uses the spirit of permissiveness to prepare for further nudity. Even so the devil uses the spirit of permissiveness to prepare for further nudity. The fashion makers take account of the spirit of the times. They know that the sexy dresses will sell. If anyone believes in the total depravity of the human race they do! Movie stars and models are used to attract business through use of sexy dress and other provocative measures. As a spokesman of an airline has said: “We will stick to the miniskirt for stewardesses to attract the business man.”
Sad to say, miniskirts and bare midriffs with the exposed navel are now accepted as casual and normal. Yet the statistics of the police throughout the world and the testimony in rape cases continues to show: the shorter the skirts the greater increase in rape.
Some restaurants advertise that their meals are served by topless waitresses. The owners report that this has increased their business by as much as two hundred percent. The only restriction is that the girls are forbidden to date the customers.
A sad by–product of all this permissiveness is the mass murder called abortion. In 1973 the number of abortions in the U.S.A. approached the one-million mark; 70,000 in Canada; 150,000 in England; 400,000 in West Germany! The Bible says: In the last days people will become lovers of self more than lovers of God. “They are of the world; therefore speak they as of the world, and the world heareth them” John 4:5).
Divorce, adultery, and fornication are all accepted in our society. But the terrible result is still, as the Bible declares, the wages of sin is death! As man commits sin against his own body, venereal disease, broken homes, and broken lives are bewildering this new generation.
So we could go on, bllt this article does not mean to be a complete report on present–day immorality. What is stated above is only a small part of the large package of sin in the area of sex perversion. Lawmakers take note of public opinion. We Christians have failed to influence public opinion in matters of moral standards. Let us start now, redeeming the time!
Many say that this kind of immorality is not new and that such a decline in morals has happened before. Yes it has, and we should take note of what happens to a nation where such crimes are committed and condoned. These nations have never survived! See Leviticus 18. In spite of the proclamation of some politicians who predict that the future will be brighter, God declares to His people: do not defile yourselves by any of these things for by all these the nations that I am casting nut before you defiled themselves and the land vomited out its inhabitants!
How long will God bear with this generation? The date of judgment is set. God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap. The headlines of the entertainment pages of the newspapers and news magazines are relevant to the pages of the Bible, the infallible and inerrant Word of God.
The time is at hand: Revelation 22:10. The evildoers and the filthy will become more filthy, and for those who do not repent there is no hope. God will give them over to a reprobate mind. The day of judgment is coming soon.
A peculiar people – According to Webster peculiar means: “A personal possession.” In this case that means: belonging 10 the Lord of creation, for Christ is the personal Savior of the Christian. The sign and seal is given in two sacraments. Romans 6 and I Corinthians 11. The Bible speaks to this “peculiar people” as follows: They are members of His body (1 Cor. 6:15); partakers of His anointing; witnesses to His name in words and deeds; called to show forth the excellencies of their Redeemer.
Thus God addresses His people: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people, that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (I Pet. 2:9); “Ye are the salt of the earth . . .” (Matt.5:13); “. . . But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” (I Cor. 6:11); “What! know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” (1 Cor. 6:19); “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Rom. 8:14).
The Church of all ages and places confesses the communion of saints, not because the members arc perfect and clean in themselves, but because they are washed in the blood of the Lamb!
The Christian‘s response – Again the Scriptures point the way: “For ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God‘s” (I Cor. 6:20); “As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance; but as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation” (I Pet. 1:14–15); “As free, and not using your liberty, for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God” (I Pet. 2:16); “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (I John 2:15).
We all understand that worldliness is a much broader field than the subject of this discourse hut certainly this is a part of it. The Lord calls His people to decency and modesty and has given high standards of fashion to His born-again children. They have a different destiny and a new order to abstain from worldly lusts which war against the soul. The Christian says: “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me” (Gal. 2:20).
“That everyone of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor; not in the lust of consupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God” (I Thes. 4:4–5). “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness” (II Pet. 3:11). “The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him; and He will show them His covenant” (Psalm 25:14).
The fruit of the Spirit is self-control. Our bodies arc not meant for immorality but for the glory of God. The birds arc singing today. They aren‘t waiting for some perfect tomorrow. They sing because they are thrilled that their Creator has given them this song. Are we thrilled for the great Salvation God has given us? If not, we had better examine ourselves and ask if we are a new creation. If we are branches of the Vine, Jesus Christ, then our lives will be hearing fruit in Him. As His redeemed people, we will follow Him as our example in all holy living.
The Bible on modesty – Modesty: “to be free from anything suggestive of sexual impurity; free from in decency,” Webster again.
God created man and woman and He saw all that He had made in them including their sexuality and natural desires and He said that it was very good for they bore His image of holiness and righteousness. As they came from the hand of God they were naked and were not ashamed for they were pure. They did not need clothing to shelter them from cold or heat or the impurity of sin. They had a holy mind. They appeared before God and met and spoke with Him in their naked state without fear or shame.
Then suddenly things changed radically. Sin came into the lives of Adam and Eve and their world. They discovered that they were naked and were afraid to appear before God. They immediately realized that the consequences of their sin had destroyed their holiness and purity. Depravity filled their minds. Their hearts were no longer tuned to righteousness. Their eyes were opened to know the evil that had come upon them to their shame and grief. Then they took some fig leaves to make themselves aprons and cover their nakedness. But this was not good enough for God, so God Himself clothed the first man and woman with coats of skin. It is not too much to assume that these first garments, given by the Lord God of creation, were artistic and beautiful. From all this it becomes evident that even within holy wedlock there must be modesty and self-control. When sin came into the world nakedness did not become “art” but something to be covered.
In Genesis 9:20–27 we are told how Ham was cursed for looking upon the nakedness of his father and telling his brothers about it. But the Lord blessed Shem and Japheth who covered the nakedness of their father. Again God declares: “Woe to him that giveth his neighbor drink . . . that thou mayest look on their nakedness” (Hab. 2:15). Its only proper place is within the marriage bond and bed (Heb. 13:4). Apart from that, nakedness is often mentioned in the Bible as something to be ashamed of; as adultery and prostitution. Jesus was stripped before He went to the cross to take our shame and curse unto Himself.
According to the Heidelberg Catechism in its exposition of the seventh Commandment: “all unchasity is accursed of God; and we must, therefore, detest it from the heart, live a chaste and continent life both within and outside of holy wedlock . . . since our body and soul arc both temples of the Holy Spirit, it is His will that we keep both pure and holy; wherefore He forbids all unchaste actions, gestures, words, thoughts, desires and whatever may entice one thereto.”
The Bible on immorality – This too is a broad word. Webster states the following in explanation: contrary to moral or divine law; wicked; unjust; dishonest; vicious; dissolute; licentious; depraved; obscene; unchaste; an immoral act or practice.
So God says: “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient; but rather giving thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any part in the Kingdom of Christ and of God” (Eph. 5:3–5). We must not walk as the Gentiles in “lasciviousness” (I Pet. 4:3). “Lasciviousness” according to Webster is: “looseness, wanton, free from moral control, a tendency to excite lust and promote irregular indulgences.” So the Scripture say: “Mortify, therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence . . .” (Col. 3:5). “Concupiscence–unlawful desire for sexual pleasure” (Webster).
From man’s corrupt heart – David‘s fall into the sin of adultery began in his heart when desire was aroused as he viewed a woman bathing herself. The act followed the desire of his heart and mind.
The Bible also warns that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her is guilty of adultery. This may even be when the woman is properly dressed. So some people say that those who complain about sexy dress must have a dirty mind. And they are right, for that is part of our depravity. This is what we must keep in mind so that we do not dress in a fashion simply to catch the eye of the opposite sex to lure him or her to sin. God Himself has said we are totally depraved so that every imagination of man‘s thoughts is only evil continually (Gen. 6:5). Our Lord also teaches us how great our sin and misery are in Matthew 5:27 and 28 where we are warned: you shall not commit adultery, and whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery already with her in his heart. So to look with a sinful heart is sin!
This matter deals with your heart and mine. The seventh Commandment teaches us that all unchastity is accursed of God, and that we must therefore detest it from the heart and live a chaste continent life both within and outside of holy wedlock. To be sure. not all men and women who dress provocatively have the intention of causing the opposite sex to sin. They may not be aware of, the fact that the imagination of the heart of man is only evil. But prostitutes take account of it. They are not concerned about the purity of their fellow man. To be carnally minded is enmity against God. and if you live after the flesh you shall die. We Christians, too, have by nature a terribly sinful heart. Praise God, Christ died for such sinners to give them a new heart!
As we listen to the Word of God, we find that nudity is not an art but an abomination to the Lord. It is an abomination to the Lord to be dressed as a prostitute and to advertise the body so as to catch the eye of men and cause them to sin. Such a prostitute attempts to make sin attractive (Prov. 5 and 7). To display and expose those human organs which are related to reproduction is not artistic but immoral. Even the so-called semi-nudity of exposure of the female human breast is shameful and a falling away from the normal soundness and purity demanded by God.
The great preacher and man of God, Charles Spurgeon, once spoke of “The Preacher‘s Appearance.” Some of what he said applies to all of us: “Foppish dress usually means a foul house within. Let fools wear fools’ clothing, but men who make no claim to be fools should not put on fools’ clothes. The preacher [and everyone] should endeavor according to his means, to dress himself respectably and neatly.”
The Doctrine of Balaam – In our time the word doctrine is not very popular and many do not want to hear about doctrine. But it is still true that there are only two kinds of doctrine: the doctrine of God of the Old and New Testaments and the doctrine of men. Some are trying to mix these two into one; but, as oil and water do not mix, so these two will not mix. No one can distort the truth.
We read of the doctrine of Balaam in Revelation 2:14. This is in the letter to the Church of Pergamos “which dwelleth where Satan‘s seat is.” It was a place where there was much crime and immorality. The doctrine of Balaam is to introduce immorality into the Church of Jesus Christ. Balaam was a weakling and a lover of money and a false prophet (II Pet. 2:15, 16). During the time of Israel’s journeying to Canaan, Balaam was hired by King Balak, head of the enemies of Israel, to counsel evil against rsrael so that the enemies might defeat Israel. But instead Balaam was directed by the Lord to teach Balak that they would never defeat God‘s people with the sword. It was then that Salaam introduced his doctrine of immorality. Let the young people of the enemies introduce immorality into the camp of Israel and it would surely become Israel’s downfall. So today also, immorality in the Church is an effective barrier to the progress of the Kingdom of heaven. Making the members of the body of Christ the members of a prostitute—this is the doctrine of immorality and the doctrine of Dalaam. The counsel of Balaam in the matter of Beor was to cause Israel to trespass against the Lord by letting sexual immorality mix with religion. (See Num. 25:1–3; 31:16.)
God does not condone or tolerate immorality in His church; the Bride of Christ. His wrath is sure to come upon such that practice this (Col. 3:6). Twenty-four thousand of the Israelites were slain and Balaam was also slain because of this evil. In Micah 6:5, 13 the Lord still warns: “O my people, remember now what Salak king of Moab devised, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him . . . therefore . . . I have made thee desolate because of thy sins . . .” As one rotten apple in a basket works 10 defile the whole, so this sin works tn defile the whole Church.
Jesus Himself, from heaven, warns the Church of Pergamos to repent of the doctrine of Balaam or else He himself will fight against them that practice it! (Rev. 2:16). The Lord Jesus calls immorality a sworn enemy of His Bride. Immorality will overrun the ungodly world; and when sin is heaped up to heaven it shall be that the wicked of the earth shall be burned with fire. Why is it that we Christians underestimate this iniquity? It is the work of the spiritual hosts of wickedness and of the wiles of the Devil (Eph. 6:10–18). Have you ever experienced and discovered immoral deeds in your own life? It is not too difficult to point to others. We must examine our own hearts and minds and lives. I know that my own life is colored with all kinds of horrible sins. But I also know the blessedness of him whose sin is forgiven. I was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see!
Our own involvement – Revelation 12:12 – “. . . but woe unto you 0 earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short.” As the mini-dress is the prelude to nudity, so is permissiveness the prelude to the great falling away from purity in the Church. Some church leaders are teaching that the Bible is not a book of moral standards. They claim that the Ten Commandments are only directive in character. Then sin is no trespassing of the law!
A preacher told me that I should not worry too much about sexy dress. It is a mailer of fashion, he said, which always has been and always will be with us and is so changeable. And, if you are offended by it, then turn your head. Others say: sex is beautiful, created by God; there is nothing to hide or to be ashamed of. Parents should show themselves in the nude to their children to get rid of their inhibitions. Others say: you are a pessimist; it is not all that bad. If this is so, then Moses and all the prophets and Apostles were pessimists . . . but they were not! They spoke the truth of God!
It is evident, however, that there is a difference in moral standards which also effects the conscience and thinking of the Church and has blinded our eyes. For many, it has become normal to follow the sick fashions of the ungodly fashion-makers of the world. Some Christian businessmen allow their female staff to be dressed in the same sexy fashions as this world. Some women try to justify their suggestive dress by saying they must please their husbands.
I hope that you do not have the experience which my wife and 1 had recently when we visited some old Christian friends with some other couples. Although these were good Christian parents, their children had run out of control. The boys, with their short tight trousers, practically exposed their sexual organs. The girls wore clothing which bared their mid-riff and exposed their navels while at the same time being almost topless above. Even some of the women present said: “I had to turn my head.” After this exhibition we determined not to allow it in our home. We are thinking about putting up a sign such as some business places do: “No shirt, no service.”
Teachers in some Christian schools are complaining that the sexy dress in school is a great temptation and invitation to sexual sin. With shame, we must admit that when our young people come to church or school they are not dressed much differently than those who are seen at the movie theaters. In this respect they are not showing forth that they are a peculiar people.
One other thought: is the fruit of the womb still considered to be a reward and a heritage of the Lord in our Christian homes? If so, why do our families get smaller while our prosperity increases? From all of this it is evident that am homes, schools, churches and businesses have been deeply affected by the “new morality” and much of it has been openly accepted. Must we just learn to live with it? Or must we repent to escape the wrath of God? This must be the concern of all of us for by condoning it the Church is guilty collectively. See the history of the sins of Achan and David.
Lot was vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked (II Pet. 2:17). Those were Sodomites! Are we now becoming vexed with the doctrine of Balaam that is invading our Churches? Or are we telling ourselves, and others that this is an artistic fashion and that we can live with it?
Matthew 10:15 – Truly, I say to you, it shall be more tolerable in the day of judgment for the people of Sodom and Gomorrah than for those who have heard the gospel and rejected it. Resist the devil and he will flee from you, the Bible urges.
“And Behold I Come Quickly” – He that is holy, let him be holy still. And the Spirit and the Bride say: Come! That will be a big change. We must be prepared for this great clay which we all may soon experience. After that will be eternal glory or eternal condemnation! In how many parables Jesus has taught us to be prepared! If the ungodly world shall not escape the judgment, how much less the church-goers. The sin of those who do not repent, will find them out. In that day God will do something drastic!
As apostasy rises so also must Christian courage rise. As Noah was given strength he needed, so shall we who rise to righteousness. The Lord is our strength and salvation. Come then, fathers, and mothers; boys and girls; young people, teachers, businessmen, leaders, preachers—let us join together as saints of God. If any man does not deny himself, he cannot be my disciple, Jesus said. We must all blow the trumpet of protest and heed the call of repentance.
Give the winds a mighty voice: Jesus saves! Lot was offended in his day—are you? Enoch was a preacher of righteousness and was not afraid though they sought to kill him. The Lord saved him out of their hands. Too many preachers today simply generalize when speaking of sin without naming specific evils. Great demons of evil must be cast out! If you believe you will see the glory of God!
Is your Church and its pulpit a workshop of the Holy Spirit? Or is it no more than a civic institution? Are you a hearer of the Word only, or a doer of it also? If the salt has lost its savor, it is good for nothing! But Jesus also said: If any man come unto me with a broken and a contrite heart he shall not be despised.
Come, let us stand up for Jesus and lift high the standard of godly living. Jesus said: “He who believes in me . . . out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38). This He said about the Spirit whom those who believe in Him were to receive.
Stars may ran from heaven and everything around us may be destroyed, but for God‘s faithful people:
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation, And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart. Then I shall bow, in humble adoration, And there proclaim: My God, How Great Thou Art!
Jesus the Christ! What a Savior!
Cor Groenewegen lives in St. Petersburg, Florida 33702.