Modesty Matters

A couple of nights ago, I watched a news report that I have not been able to shake from my mind. Especially when just a short while after, I watched a beautiful video clip posted on FB about modesty from a man's point of view. The contrast is ...um....well...I'm not sure what word I could choose to accurately describe it. Perhaps 'sharp' to the point of being painful? That's how I felt, anyway. 


Before moving on, I want to make my own bold statement.


MODESTY MATTERS


It isn't a woman's choice to dress immodestly or flaunt her body that gives her power. 

I found the news story I watched on-line so I could post something here. Please excuse the graphic nature of the following photographs, but really-in this case a picture is worth a thousand words. So here is a sample of what happened on the streets of Toronto on Sunday, April 3rd:

Admittedly, on any given day on the streets of Toronto or most any other city we can see sights like this. But this display...this very public, purposeful parade of gross immodesty is a statement that absolutely contradictswhat God 's Word says. The following is an excerpt from a CBC article:

"A group of Toronto marchers took to the streets Sunday afternoon in what they’re calling a “slut walk" in response to controversial comments made by a police constable earlier this year.

"In January, Toronto Police Const. Michael Sanguinetti told a personal security class at York University that "women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized."

Sanguinetti apologized for his comments, but his apology failed to satisfy walk organizer Sonya Barnett.

"It was evident that if you're going to have a representative of the police force come out [and say that] then that kind of idea must be still running rampant within the force itself and that retraining really needs to happen to change that mentality," she said. "

As a victim of sexual assault, I believe I have something to say about this. I get why the remark made by this policeman would anger women, especially if it is understood to mean, "You got what you asked for" And I agree with their mission statement to "spread the word that those who experience sexual assault are not the ones at fault, without exception."

NO  one DESERVES to be sexually violated...EVER.

But...

I think the greater injustice is to say that women are not responsible for how men respond to the way they dress and to advocate flaunting their bodies because they believe they have the 'right' to dress any way they want to without consequences.  It shows how far this world has moved away from Biblical truth, and from any kind of moral compass for that matter.  Minus God's Word we have no true understanding of human nature. We are in the dark.  Lust is unquestionably inherent in our fallen nature. Not just a lust for sex but for all manner of fleshly appetites which God COMMANDS us to crucify.

WHY?

Because lust in control brings destruction, heartache & sickness. Not only to the one who is serving that lust in their own life but to others as well.

Believe it or not, the same lust that compels men to sexually assault women also compels the women in this parade to exalt and flaunt themselves in a manner that cares absolutely nothing about what anyone else might think. Or how it might affect onlookers. They care nothing about people who are offended or affected in any way by their nakedness. It's called pride.

Lust for anything may begin in the mind, with a thought- but looking upon the thing you lust for definitely makes a difference. Definitely adds fuel to an already raging fire. Forgive the analogy, but a provocatively dressed woman is like a sumptuous meal set down before a compulsive over-eater. Just ask Amnon, the son of King David. The Bible says that he "had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.  And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do any thing to her." The Hebrew word translated 'love' is certainly not agape in nature. The kind of love that thinks always about the well-being of the other person. Amnon's 'love' was, in fact, sexual lust that was so intense and consumed him so- that it made him sick.  This young man went to great lengths and used deception to get his sister in a place of vulnerability where he could fulfill his lustful craving for her.

"Then he said to Tamar, “Now bring the food into my bedroom and feed it to me here.” So Tamar took his favorite dish to him. But as she was feeding him, he grabbed her and demanded, “Come to bed with me, my darling sister.”“No, my brother!” she cried. “Don’t be foolish! Don’t do this to me! Such wicked things aren’t done in Israel. ¹³ Where could I go in my shame? And you would be called one of the greatest fools in Israel. Please, just speak to the king about it, and he will let you marry me.”But Amnon wouldn’t listen to her, and since he was stronger than she was, he raped her. [2 Samuel 13:10:14 NLV]

My heart goes out to any and all women who have been stung with the fiery dart of sexual abuse or sexual assault. But a parade of this nature is not the answer. In fact, it misses the whole crux of the matter by a million miles.

I guess my underlying point is that as Christian women we must not only understand about the presence of lust in human nature, but do everything within our power to not dress or act in a way that would provoke any man to lust. It is, indeed, our duty...our obligation to serve our brothers in Christ in this fashion. I'm not suggesting for a moment that any Spirit-filled women would join herself to a movement like this one.  But there may be areas of our heart, or of our mind and emotions that have not yet been surrendered to the lordship of Christ. Cravings for attention. A desire to be noticed. And sometimes, even women who know God can be seduced by the fashion trends of the world and not even realize their dress has become provocative. 


I'm going to finish up with a video clip. 


Modesty from a man's point of view: