"Wake Up, Sisters!"
[Editor's Note: The article below did not come with a title; therefore, a line was selected from the text. It was published in the May/June issue of World Evangelism in 2017. These thoughts are from a sister who has devoted her life to serving God—and still is even though she could be "retired." The wisdom, as well as her service, is greatly appreciated.]
Summer is here, and with it comes the heat and the exposure of far too much of some peoples' bodies— both men and women. Recently I posted the following comments on my Face Book page. May I share it with you?
Those who feel free to approach God as though He is a casual "buddy-buddy" need to read the minute requirements He made to Israel when they were to come into His presence at Sinai (Exodus 19). We are greatly mistaken when we presume—in our attitudes or our dress or in any other way—that God has lowered His opinion of Himself or the reverence He is due under the New Covenant. Leviticus 10:3 says, "By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people I must be glorified." When people show more respect in their manner of dress to people being married or being buried than they do to God, alarm bells should go off in everyone's heads.
I am increasingly shocked by the immodest clothing women choose to wear. At the rate things are going, public nakedness will be acceptable in the not-too-distant future. (I guess, for some, it already is acceptable, because I am hearing about a "National Nude Day/Week/Month.") How sick! The clothing of these stupid women cries out, "Here I am! Lust for me!" But then if a man looks at them sideways, they scream that they are victims of sexual crimes.
That's horrible, out in the world, but as I watch some women coming into the assembly of the Lord's church, I wonder, "What are they thinking???" Short, short dresses, skin-tight pants, skin-tight tops and dresses, spaghetti strap tops, wedding dresses that are scandalous —is this the way we are to show reverence for God and respect for our own bodies as Christians, sisters?
Stand in front of a mirror and look at yourself. Do you see every nuance of your body shape under that tight "new skin"? Do you see cleavage, or worse, revealed by your low-cut top? Do you have to pull at your skirt to keep from showing everything when you sit down or bend over? Would you dare to walk up to our Lord, dressed as you are?
Ask your husband or father if your clothing would create lust in the hearts of men who would look at you. I don't understand husbands and fathers who see the provocative dress of the women in their households but say nothing about it.
Where are the elders who are supposed to be looking after the spiritual welfare of the souls entrusted to their care? What has happened to the lessons on modesty that used to be preached from our pulpits?
Wake up, church! Let's be the shining light God has instructed us to be, not the half-converted souls following along behind the corruption in the world around us. God tells us where the world is going, ultimately. Too many of us are blindly following even to that end.
And don't be angry at me for saying this. It needs to be said because we love each other, and Christians need to be listening. We are called to live pure lives, examples for Christ—not betrayers!
Yes, every minute of every day we must remember that the name Christian says to the world that, if Christ were here, He would dress like this or talk like this or behave like this. Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, but many Christians today are betraying His good name for nothing—not even the world's praise; they are just drifting along, following the corrupt culture around us without even thinking. Wake up, sisters! Wake up, husbands and fathers and elders and preachers!