Christians and the beach

I was kind of confused, myself. Maybe "Gerald" is short for "Geraldine".

peace to youraying:

 

What? Doesn't everyone?

 

Here we go again. Oh well, it's fun every time.

God gives an explicit command to women to dress modestly, and yet I don't see the same commandment explicitly made to men. Will Scarlett et al find fault with God now?

So what is the standard of modesty? Does God have His own standard, or do we just make it up as we go along? Judging by gerald's detractors it sounds like they would say we make it up as we go along.

 

==The Bible does teach modesty. While its teachings focus mainly on women, modern men need to keep those teachings in mind.

My problem with Gerald's post is its sense of legalism. There is a line that we cannot cross. Modesty is one thing, legalistic puritanism is another. The Bible gives us very few directives on what to wear (or not wear). That means we have to use our brains and apply what the Bible does say. Anyone who lays down "rules", beyond what Scripture directly states, is in danger of legalism. Certain bathing suits are too revealing, but that is no reason for women (or men) to show up at the beach looking like refugees from the 17th century. Modern bathing suits can be acceptable. There are a variety of options for both women and men.

I live near the beach in small a vacation town. Do I burst into flames of lust each summer when the tourists invade our quiet little town? No. Why not? Because (a) as a general rule I, like other locals, dislike tourists and (b) I don't pay that much attention to them. Maybe it is because I have grown up around it, I don't know, but bathing suits look like clothes to me. Unless a bathing suit is just rude and inappropriate, I generally don't even notice. Generally people who are all up-tight about bathing suits, lakes, beaches, and swimming are those who live away from the beach. Those of us who live in those summer areas don't think that much of it.

 

I believe the verse in question regarding modesty is this:


1Ti 2:9 Likewise, {I want} women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments,
1Ti 2:10 but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness.

Braided hair, gold, jewelry, ect. were symbols of wealth. This verse is saying that women should behave in a way (good works) that reveals their devotion and faith (godliness). They should impress others with their godliness instead of with their wealth.

It has nothing to do with bikinis, although common sense and the Holy Spirit tells us that women should not be showing too much of their body because men will lust. This verse is not talking about that and is many times taken out of context and used to support no slacks, floor lenth skirts, ect. ect.

 

Carnal Christians--

seem to be winning so far. What would Jesus do? A little leaven leavens the whole lump.

Remember the three temptations of Eve: lust of flesh, lust of eyes, pride of life. We still have them--daily including Sunday. It is not possible to worship God in the flesh.

Curiously, the Amish and Mennonites do not have such problems. There are no "skin" problems among the Moslems. Their men have a dress code too--see what happens if a man wears bermuda shorts in a Moslem area--they will pick up stones--yep, stoning for breaking the code. It is not difficult to find similar codes in the OT. The NT code could be: whether you eat or drink, whatsoever you do, do all for the glory of God.

Selah,

Bro. James

 

So, Amish men don't lust? :laugh:

 

No...no electricity. :laugh:

 

Anything less than a full mummy wrap covered by a burka painted to look like Bea Arthur will incite lust in me, so that's my standard of modesty. In fact, I think that should be a required costume for all Christian women.

 

Yeah, but if she did the Bea Arthur thing I bet it would have worked.

 

Who Told Thee Thou Wast Naked?

Man still has difficulty with the reality of his fall and his inability to choose that which is good. Only God can bring us out of the pit and keep us out. The Deceiver still tempts us and we sin--because that is what our flesh likes to do. "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us." I John 1:8-10.

We cannot worship God in our flesh.

Selah,

Bro. James

 

So anyone who disagrees with legalism is carnal? I disagree with legalism, not modesty.

Since when do we need to follow a long list of personal "rules" and preferences not found in scripture? The OP is assuming we don't know how to dress and that it's his responsibility to fix it to his standard. (Show me where a woman had to wear a slip in the Bible!)

Also, the Amish and Mennonites and Muslims might not have "skin problems," but if you check recent history, you'll find child abuse, lust, and other sorts of ungodliness in those cultures as well. Modest dress does not necessarily make a crime free zone.

 

Dude, you need help!:laugh:

 

I'll tear up some sheets and start the mummy wrap on you if the trouble involved is what you don't like about my idea.

:laugh:

 

I dunno. Looks like maybe we whacked him once too many!:laugh:

 

They are called whitewashed tombs by the Lord. That is why we have the Holy Spirit in us to guide us in all things, not Gerald's handy dandy book of what he thinks modesty is.

As said before, common sense goes a long way, and is lacking in some of the posts.