Your Body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit
Below is an article written by a dear sister in the Lord. After reading it, I decided to cut and paste it here on my blog, with her permission. I concur with it 100%. It speaks for itself. So......................................
Where is Modesty in the Body of Christ Today?
By Sandy Wood
Therefore "Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."
2 Cor. 6:17,18
It is my prayer that you will seek the mind of Christ as you read this. I know my statements are bold and to the point, but I feel some Christians need to hear it like it is.
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Tim. 2:15
Today, there is way too much “tolerance” in Christian homes and even in our “best” churches for immodest dress. It is my prayer that every Christ-centered church in America select a godly, older woman to teach against immodesty. It is now considered acceptable to many Christians for wives, mothers, and teenage girls to wear low-cut dresses, tops, and bathing suits, as well as shear clothing leaving little to the imagination of any onlooker. Tight clothing also reveals too much and draws attention. The first and most important questions we as women should be asking ourselves is:
1. Am I bringing shame on the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ?
2. Am I being a Christ-like example to everyone that sees me including my children?
3. Is it necessary to be immodest for me to be beautiful?
Could you be partly responsible for your own son or daughter’s promiscuity? Could your son be so used to seeing you dress immodestly that he has no respect for the beauty of a woman’s body? What kind of bathing suit do you wear in front of your children—on the beach, or in your own back yard? Do you think that men are not going to look, or have sensual thoughts looking at you? Well, don’t you think that your teenage son is thinking the same thing about females that dress like this? Do you think your son doesn’t notice your immodesty? If he’s not blind, then he has noticed! What about his friends? Is that where their thoughts should be? What has your example taught him?
What about your daughter? She sees you dressing immodestly and thinks it’s ok to wear low cut and skin tight clothing, so does not think twice about dressing like you, and possibly showing even more than you. Have you thought how this grieves the Holy Spirit?
Also, have you thought of the danger she’s in every time she leaves your home? Have you ever thought about how boys, as well as men, are looking at your precious daughter in a seductive way??? Have you thought about what must be going through their minds as they look your daughter over? Does her appearance send the wrong signal to men? Moms, please examine what I am saying with an open mind to the possibility that you may need to change your style of clothing to first of all, not bring shame on the name of our Lord, and 2. for the safety of you and your daughter.
Are you and your daughter bringing shame on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ?
…Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything
that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. 2 Cor. 7:1
Have you honestly asked yourself what your own motives are for wearing revealing clothes? Or, possibly WHY it doesn’t bother you as a Christian woman? And, are you being a stumbling block to others? You might say to me, “Well, they shouldn’t be looking!” Or, “I’m not ashamed of my body!”
What does the Word of God say?
Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put (any) stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way. Romans 14:13
What has happened to the respect women used to have for their bodies? The parts that were only meant for the eyes of your husband to behold are now being exposed for the world to see, and with no shame! I remember the days when women used to cover themselves while nursing their babies, and even remove themselves to another room. Those days seem to be almost over.
... and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty,” 1 Cor. 12:23
Do you think more about covering your facial blemishes, or the grey in your hair than you do the most intimate parts of your own body? If your husband is also a Christian, does he approve of the way you and your daughter dress? Could you prayerfully bring yourself to have an open and honest discussion with him about the way you and your daughter dress in front of him and others? Prayerfully consider asking him to be completely honest with you and prepare your heart for the possibility of a negative answer. Maybe even ask your Christian friends to join you in asking their Christian husbands how they feel about this matter. If your friends don’t want to ask their husbands or change the way they dress, then you can change and be the godly example to them that they need.
Immodest dress is anything that is designed or intended to sexually attract attention to one’s self.
Why is it that Christian women would never be seen in a bikini walking in a mall or grocery store, but are not at all uncomfortable in a bikini at the beach or around a swimming pool, even at a Christian pool party? Why is there a difference? Doesn’t God see our nakedness no matter where we are? He is the One we should be determined to please? And, don’t you think that even Christian men at a pool party are looking?
Besides dishonoring the Lord, there are also dangers in inappropriate dress.
Most fashionable clothing is designed to make women AND GIRLS sexually attractive. Mothers start out buying their little girls clothing that barely covers their precious little bodies. We say, “Isn’t she adorable in that bikini or outfit.” Sexual predators are also thinking the same thing about you, your teenage daughter, and your innocent little toddler. Try watching the news for one weeks if you think sexual predators aren’t out there. Or go on the internet and see how many “registered sex offenders” live in your town or city. It will shock you, and those are only the “registered” ones—those that have gotten caught!
God had a reason for modest dress. First, He is a holy God. Knowing all things, He knew what man was capable of doing and why.
Think about it!
Sisters in Christ, when you are shopping for clothes for yourself or that precious daughter of yours, you might want to ask yourself if the clothing you are thinking about purchasing would first of all honor our precious Lord and Saviour. Secondly, would it make your husband proud to call you his wife, or proud of his daughter, or will it bring shame or embarrassment to him? Does it draw attention to areas of your body, or your daughter’s body that others have no business being drawn to? Your considerations for the type of clothing you buy could be saving your life, or your daughter’s life from a sexual predator.
God’s Word never changes.
A Christian woman should by all means be a beautiful woman that brings glory and honor to God, and make her husband proud, but can be both beautiful and modest at the same time. My husband has told me several times that the closer I get to the Lord, the more beautiful I become. He has also told me how proud he is of the way I dress and look when we are out in public. (He also thinks I look beautiful just after getting out of bed in the morning. Now, I have a hard time with that statement because I know how I look in the mirror). I like those compliments coming from him. It encourages me to draw even closer to the Lord. Make up, sexy clothes, and hair color is not the way to beauty. Loving the Lord, seeking after Him, and walking in obedience is.
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness.
Romans 6:13
Email me your comments on this subject. sandy@injesusname.org
In Jesus’ Name Ministries ~ PO Box 350 ~ Strasburg, VA 22657
ph. 540-465-4755 ~ injesusname.org
Where is Modesty in the Body of Christ Today?
By Sandy Wood
Therefore "Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."
2 Cor. 6:17,18
It is my prayer that you will seek the mind of Christ as you read this. I know my statements are bold and to the point, but I feel some Christians need to hear it like it is.
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Tim. 2:15
Today, there is way too much “tolerance” in Christian homes and even in our “best” churches for immodest dress. It is my prayer that every Christ-centered church in America select a godly, older woman to teach against immodesty. It is now considered acceptable to many Christians for wives, mothers, and teenage girls to wear low-cut dresses, tops, and bathing suits, as well as shear clothing leaving little to the imagination of any onlooker. Tight clothing also reveals too much and draws attention. The first and most important questions we as women should be asking ourselves is:
1. Am I bringing shame on the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ?
2. Am I being a Christ-like example to everyone that sees me including my children?
3. Is it necessary to be immodest for me to be beautiful?
Could you be partly responsible for your own son or daughter’s promiscuity? Could your son be so used to seeing you dress immodestly that he has no respect for the beauty of a woman’s body? What kind of bathing suit do you wear in front of your children—on the beach, or in your own back yard? Do you think that men are not going to look, or have sensual thoughts looking at you? Well, don’t you think that your teenage son is thinking the same thing about females that dress like this? Do you think your son doesn’t notice your immodesty? If he’s not blind, then he has noticed! What about his friends? Is that where their thoughts should be? What has your example taught him?
What about your daughter? She sees you dressing immodestly and thinks it’s ok to wear low cut and skin tight clothing, so does not think twice about dressing like you, and possibly showing even more than you. Have you thought how this grieves the Holy Spirit?
Also, have you thought of the danger she’s in every time she leaves your home? Have you ever thought about how boys, as well as men, are looking at your precious daughter in a seductive way??? Have you thought about what must be going through their minds as they look your daughter over? Does her appearance send the wrong signal to men? Moms, please examine what I am saying with an open mind to the possibility that you may need to change your style of clothing to first of all, not bring shame on the name of our Lord, and 2. for the safety of you and your daughter.
Are you and your daughter bringing shame on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ?
…Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything
that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. 2 Cor. 7:1
Have you honestly asked yourself what your own motives are for wearing revealing clothes? Or, possibly WHY it doesn’t bother you as a Christian woman? And, are you being a stumbling block to others? You might say to me, “Well, they shouldn’t be looking!” Or, “I’m not ashamed of my body!”
What does the Word of God say?
Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put (any) stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way. Romans 14:13
What has happened to the respect women used to have for their bodies? The parts that were only meant for the eyes of your husband to behold are now being exposed for the world to see, and with no shame! I remember the days when women used to cover themselves while nursing their babies, and even remove themselves to another room. Those days seem to be almost over.
... and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty,” 1 Cor. 12:23
Do you think more about covering your facial blemishes, or the grey in your hair than you do the most intimate parts of your own body? If your husband is also a Christian, does he approve of the way you and your daughter dress? Could you prayerfully bring yourself to have an open and honest discussion with him about the way you and your daughter dress in front of him and others? Prayerfully consider asking him to be completely honest with you and prepare your heart for the possibility of a negative answer. Maybe even ask your Christian friends to join you in asking their Christian husbands how they feel about this matter. If your friends don’t want to ask their husbands or change the way they dress, then you can change and be the godly example to them that they need.
Immodest dress is anything that is designed or intended to sexually attract attention to one’s self.
Why is it that Christian women would never be seen in a bikini walking in a mall or grocery store, but are not at all uncomfortable in a bikini at the beach or around a swimming pool, even at a Christian pool party? Why is there a difference? Doesn’t God see our nakedness no matter where we are? He is the One we should be determined to please? And, don’t you think that even Christian men at a pool party are looking?
Besides dishonoring the Lord, there are also dangers in inappropriate dress.
Most fashionable clothing is designed to make women AND GIRLS sexually attractive. Mothers start out buying their little girls clothing that barely covers their precious little bodies. We say, “Isn’t she adorable in that bikini or outfit.” Sexual predators are also thinking the same thing about you, your teenage daughter, and your innocent little toddler. Try watching the news for one weeks if you think sexual predators aren’t out there. Or go on the internet and see how many “registered sex offenders” live in your town or city. It will shock you, and those are only the “registered” ones—those that have gotten caught!
God had a reason for modest dress. First, He is a holy God. Knowing all things, He knew what man was capable of doing and why.
Think about it!
Sisters in Christ, when you are shopping for clothes for yourself or that precious daughter of yours, you might want to ask yourself if the clothing you are thinking about purchasing would first of all honor our precious Lord and Saviour. Secondly, would it make your husband proud to call you his wife, or proud of his daughter, or will it bring shame or embarrassment to him? Does it draw attention to areas of your body, or your daughter’s body that others have no business being drawn to? Your considerations for the type of clothing you buy could be saving your life, or your daughter’s life from a sexual predator.
God’s Word never changes.
A Christian woman should by all means be a beautiful woman that brings glory and honor to God, and make her husband proud, but can be both beautiful and modest at the same time. My husband has told me several times that the closer I get to the Lord, the more beautiful I become. He has also told me how proud he is of the way I dress and look when we are out in public. (He also thinks I look beautiful just after getting out of bed in the morning. Now, I have a hard time with that statement because I know how I look in the mirror). I like those compliments coming from him. It encourages me to draw even closer to the Lord. Make up, sexy clothes, and hair color is not the way to beauty. Loving the Lord, seeking after Him, and walking in obedience is.
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness.
Romans 6:13
Email me your comments on this subject. sandy@injesusname.org
In Jesus’ Name Ministries ~ PO Box 350 ~ Strasburg, VA 22657
ph. 540-465-4755 ~ injesusname.org
posted by Patti Blount @ 12:19 PM
3 Comments:
At 9/14/2008 8:26 AM ,
Anonymous said...
Sister Sandy,
As a man of God and husband, I totally agree with you on your subject of covering the body, especially more so in church. It is hard for a man to concentrate on the godly things of his mind with sin and corruption knocking at his door! I thank God for the Holy Spirit guiding me in His righteousness for my sake; to be able to endure through the enticement of the flesh!
As Cain came to Abel with murder in his heart, God said, "If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it." Gen 4:7
Everday we need to die, as in putting off the flesh and walk by the Spirit. We all know that the flesh wars against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh. It makes it harder for us to contend with the flesh when people, fully knowing what it does to the mind, dress as if they have no respect for the sight of eyes.
We must put a stop to this madness and it is the fault of the Church for allowing this wickedness to slip in. Jesus said, "If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell." Matt 5:29. I know in part, that the Church has been watchful, but for the most as you have said, the Church has been lax on many issues. The Devil is a lie! And the Church has fallen to it again.
Sisters, a woman caught up in the lie of; it's ok to dress with parts of the body barely covered does nothing but cause a brother to stumble. It burns a forever scared image in a mans mind, one useful for the enemy to attack.
I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food (or clothes enphasis mine), you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food (or clothes enphasis mine), the one for whom Christ died. Ro 14:14,15 John goes on to say, He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 1 John 2:10. How can you say you love God and do these things to the brethern? You cannot say it because if you love God then you would show love for the brethern in ALL things and ways, even to prevent a stumbling block.
Church, we have to get a "grip" on things, knowing full well that our Savior is due back at any given moment and we well be held accountable! Put away from you your desires and lust of the flesh and the worldly things... remember we are not our own we belong to God... for He is holy and we are to be holy! We are in the world and not of the world and the things of this world and those of it will soon pass away! Do not be caught up with this world, for as the chaff blows away with the wind and the branches that do not bear fruit will be burned, so will those who are caught up in the world! Let the Churches read and understand what the Spirit says!
I pray for these Christians that do those things that are unfitting and are causing the brethern to stumble. Lord that you convict their hearts of the sin they commit and bring them to repentence. Show them their wrong and bring them to Your righteousness for Your name's sake. In the name of Jesus, Amen! May God bless you and keep you. Love in Christ, Chris
At 11/11/2009 8:04 PM ,
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At 12/14/2014 4:37 PM ,
Patti Blount said...
Demon Static, I come against you by the power of the shed blood of Jesus Christ and the finished work on the cross. You are hereby evicted from the premises, never to return. Amen-so shall it be.
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