Pornography? or Just a Catalog!
January 1, 2011 Leave a comment
“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety;”
–1 Timothy 2:9a
by K. Crider
Another catalog? Father, I’m discouraged! An ordinary clothes catalog is becoming a real detriment to obedience to Philippians 4:8–whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, think on those things. These were my thoughts as I hurriedly stashed the catalog into the closet when I saw my husband walking toward the house.
When did our shopping centers do a real about-face from selling articles of clothing to displaying the bodies that are wearing the clothes?
Am I blowing this out of proportion? After finding a catalog hidden under my husband’s side of the bed, my answer is a resounding, “No!”
Am I being fanatical? After discovering pictures of women hidden in my husband’s dresser, my answer once again is “No!”
1 Timothy 2:9 says, “That women adorn themselves in modest apparel.” 1 Peter 3:3-4 states, “Whose adorning, let it not be that outward adorning . . . . But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” Does God allow catalogs, advertising the latest fashions, to be an exception to His words?
As very young (and immature) newlyweds, my husband found his ego bolstered by allowing others to see my inappropriate, sinful style of dressing. I was never “really” immodest, but how do you define that? At the point where our attire becomes immodest by God’s standards, it also becomes sin.
For the wife who claims, “I am dressing this way to please my husband,” I plead with you, live in the light of Acts 5:29, “We ought to obey God rather than men!” Ask God for wisdom as you lovingly appeal to your husband in regards to your convictions about modesty.
The memory of a Christian brother asking me to forgive him for the sin of lust is painful. Praise God for His gracious forgiveness to both of us. My sadness lies in the fact that I caused my Christian brother to stumble and fall because of the immodest way I chose to dress.
Today I reflect on my past with shame. I am deeply grateful to a relative who had enough “tough love” to confront me about my short skirts. First reactions, even to gentle rebukes, are sometimes negative. But my respect for this man and his Christlike love for me overcame all Satan’s attempts to close my ears to his godly advice.
Now if I see a man’s eyes roaming, I am thankful to know that my body is clothed in modesty. I enjoy dressing attractively, but my greatest joy is in knowing my Father is able to smile upon my choice of clothing.
My husband is growing in his relationship with the Lord and acknowledges the importance of modesty. Recently he chose not to do business with a certain company because of the suggestive pictures hanging on their walls. I was praising God inwardly as outwardly I praised my husband!
Yes, I will continue to throw away some catalogs. I will not be my husband’s conscience nor can I be my husband’s God. But with my heavenly Father’s guidance I will be his loving helpmeet!
Here are four questions we sisters can ask ourselves as we dress:
- Am I dressing as I do with an exaggerated opinion of myself? “Let nothing be done through . . . vainglory” (Philippians 2:3).
- Am I dressing modestly? Do I reveal parts of my body that should be covered? “That women adorn themselves in modest apparel” (1 Timothy 2:9).
- Am I focusing on outward beauty or inner beauty? “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price” (1 Peter 3:3-4).
- Can I wear this outfit and honestly say, “Yes, I am clothed with humility”? “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved . . . humbleness of mind” (Colossians 3:12).
© Copyright 1994, K. Crider
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