I just read a post from the blog
Fundamentally Reformed entitled
What's Wrong with Bikinis, and I really liked this mans response. He said
EVERYTHING'S wrong with bikinis! I agree wholeheartedly! That we even have to have this conversation among Christians is beyond me. With all the information we have at our fingertips, how can a woman be so naive to think that there is nothing wrong with wearing a bikini... or a bathing suit for that matter. God made men to be visually stimulated,
THERE.... now you have no excuse! But we still have women today saying things like, "Well, they (men) shouldn't look if it's a problem!" It is plumb moronic! So, it's
OKAY for women to parade around in their underwear but
NOT okay for a man to look, when it is in his nature to do so? Why can't we as women make it a little easier on them by keeping our bodies covered so that we are not a distraction for them? It was God's plan from the beginning that we not look upon each others nakedness, it is to be reserved for marriage. Now don't get me wrong, just because God made men to be visually stimulated doesn't mean that they are going to stray every time a woman is immodestly dressed. It takes Godly men of character and fortitude who rely fully on God's grace and strength each and every day to be the men God would have them be. But come on women, give them a break! Let's do our part by dressing modestly. It is found in the Bible, you know! And if we are not dressing modestly, then we are clearly transgressing God's Law, or to put it bluntly,
SINNING!
To wear a bikini is not a sin. To flaunt oneself in a bikini is. God does not ask Christians to live by a specific set of rules. He asked us to live by the convictions of our hearts. If I can walk around in a bikini and not flaunt myself then I see no problem with wearing one. I feel no guilt when wearing one, and I refuse to let you (or anyone else for that matter) lay down a set of rules for me to live by. If God does not convict me of this then it is NOT a sin in any way shape or form.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, your statement is FULL of error. Second, where in the Bible does it tell us that we are NOT to live by God's rules but to follow the convictions of our hearts? The Bible tells us that our hearts are exceedingly wicked. One persons convictions may differ from another persons convictions, so which one is right? That is why the Bible is to be our standard for faith and practice. We are to be doers of the Word and not hearers only. If you feel no guilt when parading around in a bikini, then something isn't right. God's WORD is our Rule Book and I choose to follow Him, not the so called "convictions" of someones heart.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous,
ReplyDeleteThe actual point of my post, which is linked to here, was to illustrate how it is not a matter of "what's wrong" with a specific clothing item. Rather for Christians, we are to ask "what's right?" I linked to a great post at the Femina blog which deals with some objections like what you've raised. We are to be guided by Scripture and live according to God's express directions given to us. Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commandments...".
An attitude of self-reliance and autonomy whereby my own conscience reigns supreme is at best, proud and not humble. Prayerful reflection should be called for in evaluating standards of conduct. I come from a hyper fundamentalist background where legalism was a real problem, so I know there are extremes and abuse of Scriptures. But this does not mean we are not to live our lives by Scripture and be sensitive to God's call for holiness in our lives. I pray you reconsider your attitude and take some time to prayerfully consider the matter.
In Christ,
Bob Hayton