“It doesn’t matter.” How many times have you heard or said that phrase? We say this so often that we never stop to think what we are saying. …but when it comes to matters of principle, Truth in God’s Word, then it matters.
Over the last number of years in America, and where or when it happened, I don’t know, but somewhere along the way “things” just started not to matter so much to us any longer. Doesn’t seem to matter to us any longer how we dress, our speech has become careless, what movies we attend, what music we listen to, what television shows we view, what magazines we read, what books we read, who we vote for, who our associates are, the places we go, and on it goes…… There is even web site about how people dress when they go to Walmart. I can certainly say people are careless in their dress at that store. I see women scantily clad, tattoos all over them and in places that they want you to see, abbreviated clothing, see through clothing, low cut clothing. Exposing themselves to the world and enticing men to lust. I have heard men at work speak of women being scantily clad as they bring their children to school. I have seen on the campuses where I live young ladies wearing pajamas. I am simply amazed at that. Who would have ever believed this? In America? Within the Lord’s church? What parent would buy, much less allow their daughters to be so scantily attired?
“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of life is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” I John 2:16-17
We have allowed Hollywood and the music world to dictate and influence us as a people and even within the Lord’s church, in some places, I have heard that elders have had to caution women in their attire. Men serving the Lord’s supper were seeing all manner of dress.
“To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the Word of God be not blasphemed.” Titus 2:5
“But ye are a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light.” I Peter 2:9
In my hand I have a Jury Summons that states, “Proper Clothing Required: All persons entering the courtroom should be dressed in clothing reasonably befitting the dignity and solemnity of the court proceedings. Shorts and tank tops are not allowed.”
How sad that in our society some have to be told to dress appropriately for any event. A couple of years ago when I was summoned to court a young woman came into the courtroom dressed in a Mickey Mouse t-shirt and short, shorts. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. They sent her home with the warning to come back appropriately attired.
One of the saddest quotes on the state of America is:
“When you’re young, you look at television and think. There’s a conspiracy. The networks have conspired to dumb us down. But when you get a little older, you realize that’s not true. The networks are in business to give people exactly what they want. That’s a far more depressing thought. Conspiracy is optimistic. You can shoot them! We can have a revolution! But the networks are really in business to give the people what they want. It’s the truth.”
Steve Jobs, Apple Computer
Sobering and eye opening, if not embarrassing, Steve Jobs assessment of our culture in America.
“It doesn’t matter. Say that often enough, and pretty soon your whole life becomes, “It doesn’t matter.”
Eileen Light