Summer is here! Gone are those ole bulky winter clothes and all those layers! The ultra freedom of summer clothes surrounds us again. This summer, women will go to the beach wearing bikinis or something even skimpier. Probably that same woman would never consider parading around on the beach wearing only a bra and thong-type underpants, but I ask, “What is the difference in the amount of body she would be revealing?” None! The only difference is in the fabric used to make the garments! It would be scandalous to go out in public dressed only in one’s underwear – wouldn’t it?

Leaving the beach scene of near-nudity, look at the offering for relaxed outings: the briefest of stretch pants, topped with a knit, spaghetti-strap shirt. Another possibility is a one-piece stretch top that will barely cover the torso – breast down to upper thighs. Oh, this blueprint is better; it’s a little longer, and at least it does have spaghetti straps! Then, there is the blue knit top, also with the spaghetti straps. Of course, the degree of immodesty is the choice of the wearer: will it be a top that is loose and exposes only the upper part of the body, or will it be three sizes too small so that it is stretched like a second skin? Then, there is a subdued choice: a black straight skirt. Should we wonder what folks will see when the wearer sits down or bends over? Another offering are shorts for the hot-natured woman. The manufacturer invested very little in the fabric, but, sadly, the price tag doesn’t reflect that savings.

With the lowering of all standards of honesty, integrity and modesty in the world, we know that the downhill spiral of morals for the general populace is likely to continue. There are reports that nudity is accepted in some public situations in Europe, as well as on TV. Since those countries seem to be the model we are following, we can accurately project what we will see on American streets in the near future.

What the world is doing is not nearly as alarming to me as the transformation that is taking place in the Lord’s church. Sometimes I am afraid to look up to see incoming attendees for worship because of what some of the women are wearing: short, tight skirts; spaghetti-strap dresses; see-through fabrics; low-cut tops that reveal cleavage. Some among us could walk out of the church buildings and blend harmoniously with the women of the world! Shame! Shame! Are there no sermons or Bible class studies anymore on modest apparel for Christian women? Are there no elders sincerely looking after the flock? Do the husbands and fathers of these women have no eyes? Does no one remember the connection between exposure of the physical body and the resulting lust in the hearts of the beholders?

“Politeness” may silence leaders and fellow-Christians in the church, but God loves us too deeply to be silent. What does He say?

• “Do not let your adornment be merely outward – arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel – rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands” (1 Peter 3:3-5 NKJV).

• “…that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works” (1 Timothy 2:9).

• “…whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28).

• “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2).

The choice to wear clothing that will create lust in the eyes of those around us is wrong in itself; the resulting lust in the hearts of the beholders is sin on the part of the one who causes it as well as the one who is lusting. Lust can literally lead to immorality, infidelity, lies, abandoned children, broken homes and more. When Satan gets a toehold, he will continue to add to the temptation until – far too often –  he succeeds in destroying the souls involved.

Mothers, please don’t train up your little girls to dress like the world. From the start, teach them modesty by the choices you make in their clothing.

Dear Christian sisters, please remember that the first death was God taking the life of animals to make modest clothing for Adam and Eve after they realized their nakedness. He cares what we wear! [A little observation: Besides their tragic decision to disobey God, Adam and Eve’s choice of clothing fabric – fig leaves – was quite an itchy one!]

Betty Burton Choate

[Editor’s Note: Especially the current fad of women wearing leggings without additional clothing over them is a little less defining of every part of the female form than complete nudity. One can’t imagine that the same women would have any inhibitions of parading around literally naked. Clothing originally served primarily two purposes: (1) to conceal the features of one’s body and (2) to protect a person from the weather. Immodest apparel today does neither! ~ Louis Rushmore, Editor]

They’re called deacons and, just like our shepherds, they have a special role in the Lord’s church.

“Deacons likewise must be men of dignity…holding to the mystery of faith with a clear conscience…let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach” (1 Tim. 3:8-10).

I’ve always thought that the men who assume this role are remarkable because they are willing to be servants. I realize that all Christians are to serve (1 Pet. 4:10), but deacons are probably the first to be called on to work in various situations. They’re also usually put in charge of a particular area of service (like fellowship, education, building maintenance, youth, transportation, evangelism, etc.). This requires long-term commitment, patience, humility, and a good attitude about helping others. Deacons give up their own time for all of us!

In addition, their families are often serving right along with them! Their wives and kids help them set up for events, host people in their homes, help plan activities, clean up, make copies, cook food, deliver items, or any number of other things.

Your church bulletin probably includes a list of those who serve as deacons. It could have 8 names or 20. Let’s encourage them this week by thanking them for the essential tasks they carry out in the Lord’s church!

For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.

(Hebrews 6:10)

We all enjoy things that smell good, and we do our best to avoid anything that smells bad. We buy things based on how they smell and make many decisions using our nose! No one, to my knowledge, prefers bad odors to the pleasant ones. The Bible mentions fragrant spices and oils used to make things more tolerable to the olfactory senses. Mary anointed Jesus’ feet with a costly oil that filled the house with its fragrance (John 12:3). At the burial of Christ, John further records that Nicodemus provided the mixture of spices bound in the linen around His body (John 19:39-40). We are told this was the Jewish custom. The women also brought spices to the tomb on the first day of the week (Luke 24:1). We understand that dead flesh stinks, and these spices help to mask those odors. However, the body of Jesus did not stay in the tomb long enough to amass much smell since He rose from that grave! Physically speaking, much of our lives are concerned with the odors our senses encounter, but what about our spirituality? What do we smell like?

How Christ Smells

Ephesians 5:2 tells us that Christ smells good to God: “And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma” (NKJV). Those thousands of sacrifices over the centuries that were “a sweet aroma to the Lord” (Leviticus 1:9) all pointed to Jesus. That phrase is stated numerous times in the Old Testament, especially in Leviticus and Numbers. Some translations use the words “soothing” (NASB) or “pleasing” (ESV, ASB, HCSB, NIV, RSV). Christ’s sacrifice was well-pleasing to God as He was the spotless Passover Lamb, fulfilling all of those Old Testament sacrifices (Luke 24:27, 44-47; 1 Corinthians 5:7; 1 Peter 1:19). Jesus selflessly followed the Father’s will on earth (John 5:30; 8:28). In times of temptation, He remembered His purpose and submitted to God’s will, not to His own desires (Hebrews 2:18; 4:15; 5:5-9; Matthew 26:42). This is why the Father could declare, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).

We should realize, though, that Jesus was not always a pleasant odor to those He encountered who rejected the Truth. His teachings divide the humble – those willing to obey from the heart – from the stubborn, rebellious ones. Thus, Our Lord’s message also separates families (Matthew 10:34-39). We are told that many of His disciples “went back and walked with Him no more” when they became offended at His Word (John 6:60-66). The apostle Paul put it this way: “We preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness” (1 Corinthians 1:23). Jesus does not smell good to the self-seekers in this world.

How We Smell to God

The life of Christ is the example every Christian should be striving to follow in order to also be well-pleasing to God. Firstly, we should want to be a sweet aroma to our Heavenly Father by obeying the Gospel. The Father is glad to see souls turning from darkness to light (Luke 15:7-31). God looks favorably upon the sinner who turns from wickedness and in faithful obedience submits to His plan of salvation (Ezekiel 33:11). God has given us His complete Word in order to know how to be well-pleasing to Him (2 Peter 1:3). We must believe that Jesus is Deity, repent of our sins, be willing to confess that Jesus is the Christ and submit to immersion for the forgiveness of our sins (Mark 16:16; Matthew 10:32; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-6; 10:9-13). In becoming a Christian, we smell good to our Creator!

Secondly, Paul tells us that in reconciling the world to God through Christ’s blood, our Lord presents His followers “holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight” if we “continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel” (Colossians 1:19-23). As followers of Christ walking in the light, Jesus’ blood keeps on cleansing us (1 John 1:7). That sanctification involves us “continually offering the sacrifice of praise to God” and not forgetting to “do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased” (Hebrews 13:12-16). Paul told the church at Philippi what they had sent to him in prison through Epaphroditus was “a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18). Even the smallest good deed may impact someone richly in Christ. As Christians, we are to be an example of good works, bearing fruit for the glory of Jesus’ name and influencing souls for Him (Titus 3:8, 14; Hebrews 10:24; 1 Peter 2:11-17). However, if a Christian is living like the world, he or she will smell like the world, and to God, that is not a good odor; it is contrary to Him (1 John 2:15-17). One who has obeyed the Gospel and then returns to the ways of the world is pictured as a clean pig going back to the mud hole and a dog returning to its vomit (2 Peter 2:22). We understand the ugliness of these images and can imagine the smells also would not be pleasant! Peter penned “the latter end is worse for them than the beginning” (2 Peter 2:20). Let us take heed as Christians and strive to smell good to God by living faithful, fruitful lives in service to Him!

How We Smell to the World

Being a well-pleasing, sweet aroma to the Lord, sadly, though, does not always make us a pleasant smell to those around us. Just as was the case with our Lord, when we live and speak out the truth of God’s Word, the world does not look on us favorably. Again, Paul wrote that through Christ’s followers, God “diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge.” To those being saved, we are the fragrance of Christ, the aroma of life, but to those perishing, we stink like death (2 Corinthians 2:14-17). To those living by the standards of the world, the Christian life is strange, and it often ridicules or even calls us evil (1 Peter 4:3-5). This should come as no surprise to the child of God. Our Lord was treated terribly by those who rejected Him, and we cannot expect any better response from the world (John 15:18)! The flip side to this, once again, is that if we are not living as we should as Christians, we will be a bad stench to those who may otherwise be won for Christ. “But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints… for it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret” (Ephesians 5:1-12). How many souls have been turned off from Christianity because of how their “Christian” neighbors were living? If we smell rotten to the world, let it not be for our hypocrisy but for our righteous living according to Christ’s law.

But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. (1 Peter 3:15-17).

Emily Fisher

Jesus had just delivered a powerful rebuke to the Pharisees. When He finished, they asked Him for a sign. He did not accept their challenge, but rather used Jonah as an example of the power of God to show that the “signs” had already been shown for hundreds of years.

While Jesus was speaking, His mother and brothers were seen standing outside. Someone told Jesus that they wanted to speak to Him. His answer was, “Who is my mother? And who are my brethren?” Looking to His disciples, He declared that they were His mother and brothers. He is trying to make a point. The spiritual relationship is greater than any physical relationship. Jesus had already said this once in Matthew 10: “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” This is a simple interpretation—“Love me more.”

This simple interruption resulted in a powerful lesson for the Pharisees, the disciples, and anyone else who happened to be listening. This was not the first time God used an interruption to teach a valuable lesson. We read examples of this over and over again throughout Scripture. One such example is in the text between the Pharisees’ request for a sign and the interruption. Jesus spoke of Jonah and His miraculous three days and nights in the belly of the great fish.

Jonah was minding his own business, going about his daily activities, when he had an interruption. The Lord said. “Go to Ninevah, that great city, and cry against it.” But Jonah was not in any mood to go to see an entire city of heathen people and try to persuade them to change their ways. His solution was to run! And run he did, onto a ship headed in the other direction. Once again, the Lord interrupted his plans. He sent a storm as a sign that he needed to fulfill his spiritual obligation over his own personal feelings; and to get His point across, He put Jonah inside a great fish to think things over. After three days and nights, Jonah went to Ninevah and changed the entire city.

Noah had a similar experience. He was living his life, raising a family, and doing things God’s way. The Lord looked down on the earth and said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.” Noah found grace in God’s eyes, and He determined that He would save him and his family. So, Noah’s life was interrupted to build a boat—not just any boat; but one big enough to take animals of every kind. On top of building a boat, he had the responsibility of trying to persuade the people to repent. For some 120 years, Noah preached and built until the Lord finally put him and his family on the ark with the animals to be saved.

Acts 8 finds a man named Philip, having been called into service to care for the Grecian widows, going about his daily routine. An angel of the Lord spoke to him and told him to go to the desert and there he would find his assignment. Like Noah, Philip didn’t question his mission; he just went. On the way, he found a man, a treasurer of Queen Candace, riding along in his chariot reading from the book of Isaiah. The man saw Philip, invited him into the chariot, and asked for help in understanding the prophecy he was reading. Philip taught him about Jesus; and, seeing water, they stopped so Philip could baptize him. The man left Philip and went on his way home, never to see this evangelist again.

These are three stories out of many in Scripture which show God interrupting daily lives and pressing someone into His service. Jonah didn’t want to go. Noah and Philip showed no resistance but were called into service and obeyed.

God’s interruptions are for a purpose. They fix the attention, not on us, but on the task. We don’t always know why our lives get interrupted, but there will always be a reason. Jesus used the interruption of His mother and brothers to fix the attention of the hearers on the spiritual rather than the physical. The same was true in each of our examples. They will surely be the same with us today.

Sandra Oliver

All Christians (men and women) should be adorned inwardly and outwardly with only what is fitting for one of God’s children. Our outward appearance should neither shame the name of Jesus or our Heavenly Father, and nor should we have moth-eaten clothes or nakedness instead of the spiritual clothing God has intended. We know that man looks on the outward appearance while God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart’” (NKJV).

So, where should our focus be? Should we think only about our outward appearance? Why do we spend so much time thinking about “what we shall wear”? What should we do? Why?

Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:25-34)

Christian women know we brought nothing into this world, and we will take nothing out. “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition” (1 Timothy 6:7-9).

Most women want durable clothing, but what is it, and how do we get it? We know that only eternal things will endure. “And her merchandise and her hire shall be holiness to the Lord: it shall not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise shall be for them that dwell before the Lord, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing” (Isaiah 23:18 KJV). When men or women are subject to the authorities that God sets over them, it is a beautiful thing before Him. Being subject to authority is being subject to God and not men (Romans 13:1-7). That is durable clothing.

Christian women should choose between outward adorning and the hidden heart (1 Peter 3:1-4). When seeking the favor of God, the Christian woman will rend her heart and not her garments (Joel 2:12-13). Our Heavenly Father sees particular beauty in meekness. Fasting, afflicting our physical bodies or tearing our clothing is not what God wants; He wants us to turn to him and tear away every worldly thing from our hearts.

The Christian woman will be adorned like the holy women of old (1 Peter 3:1-6). She also will adorn the doctrine of God (Titus 2:9-10). We notice that good fidelity (faithfulness) adorns, and in that way, we can be an attraction to God’s doctrine. Notice other things that may be bound on our hearts (Proverbs 6:20‑23; 7:2‑3). We must believe the promises and have faith that God’s laws are good. That is beautiful in God’s sight. Fulfilling the covenant that we make as Christians is beautiful. Knowing and keeping His laws is also beautiful in God’s sight.

The Christian woman binds God’s words like frontlets between her eyes (Deuteronomy 6:6-9; 11:18). Knowing and following the commandments of our Heavenly Father makes us beautiful in His sight. Knowing the Word and keeping It ever before us is also beautiful in God’s sight.

The Christian woman is clothed with humility (1 Peter 5:5). God particularly favors those who humble themselves to submit. The humble will find more of His favor.

The Christian woman is clothed in strength and honor (Proverbs 31:25). Spiritual strength is standing strongly for what is right and good. God praises (honors) those who are good in His sight.

The Christian woman avoids spiritual nakedness; she keeps (guards) her garments (Revelation 16:15). This was something the Laodiceans had not done. Will we guard our spiritual clothing so that we are not naked and shamed? “Can a man take fire in his bosom, And his clothes not be burned? Can one go upon hot coals, And his feet not be seared?” (Proverbs 6:27-28). This may be understood in both a physical sense and a spiritual sense, too. We must guard our spiritual wardrobe.

How must we buy white raiment from Jesus (Revelation 3:18)? The Laodiceans were not clean and white. They were lukewarm and unconcerned for true holiness. They trusted in their own riches and had not clothed the inner man of the heart.

How does a bride adorn herself (Isaiah 61:10)? What is the wardrobe of the bride of Christ (Psalm 45:10-15)? The picture of walking in white is typical of a wedding ceremony. We know that faithful, worthy children of God will marry Christ. How can the Christian woman expect to walk with Jesus in white (Revelation 3:4)? White clothing indicates purity of heart and mind. White clothing is also symbolic of what is clean and pure. What else must we do or be to walk with Jesus in white (Revelation 3:5)?

As the bride of Christ, will we make ourselves ready (Revelation 19:7)? Christ’s bride must be fully clothed in righteousness. Will we be prepared and adorned to be the bride of Christ? The bride of Christ also is arrayed in fine linen. Let us note what the “fine linen” of the saints really is (Revelation 19:8). “And to her was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteousness acts of the saints.” Notice that righteousness is the right acts or deeds of the saints. Will we be dressed in a fine linen wedding garment? May God help us all to accomplish that goal!

Beth Johnson

It’s a grim outlook if you watch the news to see how we’re measuring up as a nation. For the past couple of weeks, I’ve seen several studies-have-shown reports covering such topics as mental/ social/ physical health of children and adults, the education system, anger management, social media, etc. None of them have been positive. Reports are also coming in daily of the latest commodities to experience cost inflation, political scandals, and terrorist activities. I have no idea how accurate what we’re being fed actually is, but I’m not surprised that many around us seem to be affected by it.

Perhaps in your congregation you’ve experienced an increase in people showing up and looking for something. Neal pointed out to me that many of the Bible studies and baptisms here have been young adults from the community. They seem to be searching for solidarity and truth. One young woman even said, “I want to believe. I just don’t know what to believe.” She simply wanted to know about God and the Bible. Another word that keeps coming up from searchers is “community.” People are tired of disconnectedness and superficial relationships. They’re looking for family, support, and a good place to belong.

I imagine every generation thinks the condition of the world during their lifetime is the most ridiculous. Think about what our parents, grandparents, and great grandparents experienced! But no matter what is going on out there, the church stands secure (Daniel 2:44), has a solid foundation (Eph. 2:20), is full of purpose (Eph. 2:10), and is all about community and support (Rom. 12:5). What a contrast to the senselessness around us!

Let’s keep our eyes and hearts open to the souls who are hungering for more than what the world has to offer.

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. (Eph. 2:19-21)

By Kathy Pollard

Ephesians 5: 13- 14a “But the light makes clear how wrong those things are. Yes, everything is made clear by the light”

Gotta be honest –I’m not a fan of winter. Darkness prevails long after my first cup of morning coffee. Darkness returns long before the first inkling of a dinner plan comes to mind. But thankfully, my favorite season has arrived: SPRING! Behold the beauty of new life in radiant color. I am ecstatic! That is, until all the glorious sunshine rushes through the windows and displays to the world my entire vintage collection of winter dust!

And just like that, my favorite spring season collides with my least favorite: spring-cleaning season. All that visible nastiness destroys my, “Out of sight, out of mind,” peace and I feel compelled to head to the cleaning supply aisle at the store – the aisle I successfully rushed past all winter long.

But spring-cleaning is scriptural. Chapter 5 of Ephesians instructs us to rid the filthiness from our lives and clean out all the nastiness of evil, greed, unwholesome speech, and sexual sin.

Like the bleakness of the winter season, our lives without Christ are filled with darkness. But the light of the Lord shines and exposes the dirt in our lives. When evil is exposed by God’s light, it’s time to roll up our sleeves and get to work purging any speck of sin from our lives. Once clean, we can redecorate ourselves with good deeds, clean living, encouraging words, and thankfulness.

Yes, spiritual spring-cleaning is hard work and exhausting. But like spring-cleaning, the transformation is worth the effort. So, let’s dust off our Bibles and disinfect every hint of sin from our lives as we prepare to reap incredible joy in God’s light.

Father God, may we always strive to live a life that is clean and spotless in your light. Thank you for the grace to forgive the stains we fail to remove.

HELPFUL HINT: Leave it to my sweet mother to find a positive in the winter season. Understanding that low lights can hide dust, she enjoyed entertaining by candlelight all winter long. Her guests thought her to be a romantic, when in reality, she just didn’t have time to dust. You’re welcome!
Blessings for a glorious spring,

Rita Cochrane

Is my name written there?
My destination is where?
Each day of the week, yes seven,
Mark my daily journey to heaven.
No amount of bragging
No foot dragging
No denial
No trial
Will improve my odds,
As this journey requires many foot trods,
To reach this life’s destination.
I am on my journey to my heavenly nation.
With God to help me all along the way,
I will joyfully arrive in Heaven one day.

Mary A. Wright

The writers of the Bible weave a theme of purity from the beginning of time and throughout the New Testament. There is a reason God put so much emphasis on purity. In order to see God, we must be pure in heart (Matthew 5:8).

The roadblocks for being pure in heart are those things of the world—lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. They are not of the Father, but they are of the world (First John 2:16).

Adam and Eve were the first to be faced with the sin of pride. Satan’s subtility provided the perfect approach to the woman. Though she had been told not to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, Satan convinced her that it was not only good for food, but it would make her as wise as God. God’s warning, “You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die” (Genesis 3:4) didn’t stand against the devil’s promise that Eve would know “good from evil.”

Eve ate the fruit, gave it to Adam, and they immediately knew they were naked. They made themselves aprons of fig leaves. They recognized that they were not appropriate for God’s presence. Before this, they were naked but unashamed. In verse 10, Adam tells God that they hid because they were naked and ashamed. After God pronounced His punishment on Satan, Adam, and Eve, verse 21 says that He (God) made them “garments of skins and clothed them.” Obviously, the fig leaves weren’t sufficient.

The sins that involve the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eye are apparent through Scripture as well. When Moses climbed Mount Sinai to receive the law, God had some instructions for him. “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments” (Exodus 19:10). God was about to come into their presence, and He wanted them to be unstained and holy. They had to come before Him purified in body and spirit. Sadly, their fear and unbelief led them to make an idol, and their lusts overshadowed their memory of their life of slavery in Egypt. Led by their own sinful hearts, they worshiped the idol and were found partying when Moses came down from the mountain.

King David, a man after God’s own heart was confronted with nudity. He saw it, he liked it, and he acted on it. He committed adultery in his heart even before he committed the physical act. His adultery caused him to lie and even commit murder. When Nathan, the prophet, confronted him, David admitted his sin, but the enormity of his sin came with a price.

God condemns lustful intent in Matthew 5:27-28. Just looking at a woman in a lustful way is sinful. What about the woman’s part? Will we be held accountable for our dress? When we appear in clothing (or lack of clothing), and a man has lustful thoughts, who is responsible? He is, of course. The Bible says so. But can we say our hearts are pure when we wear clothing specifically designed to entice?

Paul, speaking in Second Corinthians 6, says that he had put no obstacle in anyone’s way so that no fault could be found with his ministry. Paul didn’t want to do anything that would cause someone else to stumble. We should feel like Paul. We should not want to do anything that would cause someone to stumble.

Paul exhorted Timothy to “be an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (First Timothy 4:12). In his second letter to the young Timothy, he says, “If anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.” Then he tells Timothy to flee youthful passions. To do this, one must pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, and “those that call of the Lord from a pure heart.”

It’s that time of year when the birds are nesting, the flowers are growing, and the women take off their clothes. Nothing is left to imagination. Christian women cannot participate in immodest dress and expect to see God. Immodesty is a sin. Then there is that big question, “Just what is too short? Just what is too tight? Just what is too low cut? Just remember that the heart determines our choices. Those that are pure in heart will make good choices, and they will see God.

Sandra Oliver