GET NAKED!

        

 

 

   So, not only is this a popular topic on blogs and in conversations these days, but modesty has been a recent conviction of mine and also has been weighing heavy on my heart.  I've read multiple, multiple other people's blogs and opinions on modesty and bathing suits (being that it is summer). And the most important part of this, I've read what The Bible says about modesty and I've been praying about it.

  I do believe people have personal convictions so I'm not saying that anyone who doesn't do what I say is wrong or going to Hell. I think God convicts people differently. This is just what I've been convicted on and my opinion.

A couple summers ago, before I thought about modesty from God's point of view, I was going swimming at a friends and realized my bikini had broken, so I decided I would wear something else... a sports bra. Immediately, I was laughed at and made fun of. Why? My sports bra actually covered more of my body than my bikini did. People think there is such a huge difference in a bathing suit vs a bra but really the only difference is the material used. So why was I so embarrassed and ashamed? I felt the Lord prick me and I remember thinking of the verse in Genesis when Adam and Eve made themselves undergarments. Even in their undergarments, which covered what in my opinion were the "important parts" they still hid; why? I realized the only verse on modesty that I had personally read, was that one. Uh-oh!!
When I first started studying this whole modesty issue and praying about it, I was stuck on what my thoughts were about what "nakedness" is. The worlds opinion on what naked is, is being bare, without any clothing. But what does the Bible say nakedness is? And so begins my starting point on studying modesty.

 

 Let's get bare and without anything covering; naked, if you will, about nakedness and modesty.

 

  Honestly, I used to be ALLLLL about getting naked. Skinny dipping, streaking through the streets, being naked any time I could.

 BUT 

 

  I've learned that if the Bible doesn't talk positively about something at all,

why should I think positively of it? And if you study, you will see that the Bible, outside of a few exceptions, does not talk about nakedness positively at all. Quite the opposite actually.

The first time nakedness is mentioned in the Bible is Genesis 2:25 saying "Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame." (NIV)

  Now, reading on, the next time it is mentioned is chapter 3 vs. 7 and it says that they realized they were naked. Their eyes were opened to the fact that they were naked, and once they realized it, they made themselves coverings. Then in verse 10 Adam responded to God asking him where he was saying, "...I was afraid, because I was naked; so I hid." 
 
They were ashamed that they were naked once they realized that they were. Why be ashamed? Why were they afraid? Why should we be afraid?
  Nakedness, when mentioned in the Bible is typically presented as shameful and degrading. Genesis 9:21 says Noah got drunk and naked in his tent and his sons went and covered him up so they wouldn't see their father naked.
In Exodus 20:21 the Isrealites were told not to go up on the altar in a certain way or their nakedness would be exposed. God didn't want their nakedness discovered.

Exodus 32 they made an idol, the golden calf. Moses went to Aaron upset that they had made this statue and Aaron responded saying "they are set on mischief", (vs22) then verse 25 says "...Moses saw that the people were naked; for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies." (KJV)  
They were made naked as a punishment, so that they would feel shame.

2 Chronicles 28:19 says "For the Lord brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Isreal; for he made Judah naked, and transgressed sore against the Lord." (KJV)
and the NIV version of that same verse says " The Lord had humbled Judah because of Ahaz king of Isreal, for he had promoted wickedness in Judah and had been most unfaithful to the Lord."
  The New International version calls nakedness in the KJV, wickedness. 

Isaiah 47 is talking about the fall of Babylon and in the fall, the Lord says in verse 3 "Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen." (KJV)

Other verses it is talked about negatively are Ezekiel 16:35-36, when it talks about adultery;
    Luke 8:27 talks about a demon possessed man who was naked and when he was freed, the people came and saw the man free, and clothed sitting at Jesus' feet. (vs. 35);
    Revalations 3:17 talks about a boasting person saying they have everything but the Lord says they have nothing, 'you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.' (NIV);
      Again, in Revalations, chapter 16 vs 17 says "Look, I come like a theif! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed."
(NIV)  then chapter 17 vs 16 talks about a whore and to be punished she will be made "desolate and naked."

 Hmm.. Am I the only one seeing nudity and shame being connected?

 

The only time nudity is free of shame is in Eden's perfect place or in marital relations.

The naked body is not a sin, but the Bible portrays public nudity as disgraceful.  Okay, but what does the Bible say nudity actually is? How can I stay away from shame God calls nakedness if I don't know what He considers nakedness. So what is "naked"?

Well, Exodus 28:42 says "And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach."

Linen breeches being their under garments and loin is your waste (like above your belly button!) and I'm pretty sure everyone knows what their thighs are. ;)

 

Our typical definition of nakedness is "without clothing" but the Bible says improperly covered bodies are still naked.

   In 1 Chronicles 15 when the Levites went to praise the Lord and also bring up the ark of the covenant, verse 27 says David wore an "ephod of linen".  I can only say in my personal opinion, that if it is in the Bible at all, it must be important and meant to be taken note of. So when I read that I went and studied what the crap an "ephod" was. It could help me figure out what parts of the body the Lord had them cover, showing me what I should cover. From what I've read not only online, but also in my Bible, an ephod is almost like an apron or skirt. The Bible describes them in Exodus 28 but it doesn't say how long it was. Ephods were only worn by the priests, as they were fine clothing and designed only for the high priests.

 

 

  Isaiah 20 The Lord spoke through Isaiah saying "Go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot. And the Lord said, Like as my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot..."

I take this verse and think maybe that sackcloths and linen breeches (their undergarments) are different so even in their undergarments that covered their back, shoulders,  (Genesis 9) waste and thighs, they were considered naked.

 

 

 

  Now there's one thing that many people get confused on when talking about modesty. People begin to believe they are responsible for the lusts that others may have because of their body, but let this be clear: Matthew 5:29 "But I say unto you, That whosever looketh on a woman to lust after hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." (KJV)

 

AND 1 John 2:16 says "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 the Father but is of the world." 

 

  Everyone is responsible for their own hearts' worldly desires and the guarding of their hearts against lust. If someone looks at you with lust in their eyes, it is their own fault, not yours. But that doesn't mean "If you got it, flaunt it." Just like you don't make fat jokes to someone struggling with an Eating Disorder because it might be something that tempts them to fall back to the disordered eating.

 

  1 Corinthians 8:13 says "Wherefore if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend." (KJV)

In Nichole's version/paraphrase, if making fat jokes, as much as it is a habit, tempts or triggers my brother or sister, I will not make fat jokes. (No, I do not make fat jokes about people. Just making a point.)

 

 

  We as girls especially tend to read the Scripture talks about making someone stumbling in sin, and carry it upon ourselves as if it our responsibility to keep them from stumbling. We are all going to stumble, but why make it harder on each other? That's the main point. When we let ourselves take the weight of being a stumbling block to someone with lust, say at the pool or at the beach, we (or atleast I do) start asking ourselves questions that most often lead to self hatred and beating ourselves up.

 

 

Is my butt lust-worthy? My boobs are nasty, no one will lust, will they? I'm fat, no one will find me attractive. I'm too skinny, you can see my ribs, no one likes that. Should I cover my legs? My stomach is pretty gross too....maybe it doesn't matter what I wear because I'm just overall repulsive.

 

What we should be asking ourselves is, is what I'm wearing pleasing to The Lord? If He was here, would He question my modesty and appearance? 1 Timothy 2:9 tells us as Christians that we should "adorn ourselves in modest apparel"; am I doing that? Well what does the Lord personally tell me that modesty is?

 

 

 

For me, yes, clothing, bathing suits, etc. are all a big factor in modesty, but I believe modesty is also an attitude, even in the clothes you are wearing. Matthew 6:28-30 talks about being preoccupied with the clothing you wear itself, is an indicator of loving yourself and focusing on yourself, above God. In Ephesians, Paul addresses it talking about how the elites were known for extravagant wardrobes, flashy jewelry, elaborate hairstyles and all that crap. He paints that picture, then pretty much says "Don't do that crap."

My desire, now, is to dress in a way that shows my hearts desire is for the attention to be on God, not myself. I don't want people saying "You dress so modestly." or "Maybe you should be a little more modest" either way, it is drawing attention to me. Am I asking myself questions simply about me, or are my questions for the Lord's glory?

 

 

So the question I have been asking myself is this: "If my heart is truly after The Lord, and He was here, would his attention be on these clothes or my hearts desire for Him? 1 Samuel 16:7 says that man looks on the outward appearance but the Lord sees my heart, so does my heart reflect occupation with my clothes and my body, or a burning desire for my Lord and Savior?  When people look at me will they see me or my love for God?"