Post date: Nov 15, 2010 5:16:12 PM
It was a beautiful Sunday morning, everything seemed to go just fine in the Sunday school and even the start of the morning service seem to put the saints in the spirit of unity and worship. I remember as a young man how worship services had a special meaning to my mother. I can remember how the people were reflective of their week and thankful to God for His many blessings.
Attending Church had a special meaning during those years, it was quite different from the time we experience in the corporate worship services today. Modesty and humility were the hallmark of Godly men and women at one time. At the risk of stirring up a hornets nest (and I'm not calling anyone a hornet) I realize that some of my readers may not agree nor appreciate this post in particular.There was a time when the only distractions in the church was a snore (indicating that someone fell asleep), the occasional popping of gum (inadvertently while chewing fast) or children laughing, talking or even crying. Those days are yet with us along with some added distractions and things were implemented to help move things along on Sunday mornings. Sine our children are attending children's church, the adults won't dare fall asleep during the sermon lest they are made the center of attention during the sermon when the speaker singles them out.
Alas! We have a new distraction in the church, well its not really new, no ones speaks out against it in fear of offending someone. Over the years its been excepted as the norm during worship services and its common practice in many churches, what is it? Cleavage, a tight Skirt and High Heel shoes. Many Pastors won't preach about it (...I wonder why). Many of the women whom wear this (sometimes inappropriate ) attire will reason, debate and explain it away all in the name of Christ and Christianity. "God blessed me with it" many of the women will say, others might say "If it bothers you, don't look"
Try street witnessing with cleavage, a tight skirt or jeans for that matter and the high heels. Most women realize and know that if they are going out to do ministry; witness to the poor, the broken-hearted and the homeless, they will dress modest and proper for the situation. Those having street or shelter ministries understand the importance of how you presentation yourself and being empathetic to those you serve. Going to the homeless shelter in your expensive clothing, wearing your best perfume is simply gaudy.
What happens when we come together in worship? Why do we present ourselves to the non believer one way and come together for worship another. If one can have a sense of compassion and thoughtfulness when doing such ministry as to not wear those things that will make the one being witnesses to feel left out, feel lowly, poor, lacking and without. The fact that God knows your heart and your intentions is true, how can we as believers be so dismissive about our true intentions in what we put on? When we our women and young girls show attend corporate, stand before God (and the rest of the congregation), the display of (much) cleavage a tight skirt and high heel shoes draws attention to your best assets pun intended) and the wearer know this.
Modesty seems to be old fashion and many are highly offended at the hint of anyone not approving. Well, "God looks at my heart and not what I wear" you say. This is only partly true (anything partly true is misleading and anything misleading is deceptive and anything deceptive is not the truth) How's that for political correctness? Think about this, if we are truthful with ourselves, as we dress in the morning and you take a look at how you look and you say, Wow! I'm looking real sexy" and my hips and thighs are do die for; then its about you pleasing you, its about you getting the looks and stares as you walk down the aisle, not the spirit of God and how you might cause the one looking to stumble.
Little is left to the imagination of our young men in the church and our young daughters get the impression that this is what they need to do to attract the boys in the church. Our young girls see nothing wrong with proclaiming Christianity and dressing "sexy and hot" (I guess that's the term) when they see their Sunday School teacher and the women in the church in their attire that flatters their hips and thighs. Other young girls can plainly see how the men and the boys respond to cleavage, a tight rt and heels and in their mind, this is acceptable. Many will say, "wow, you being judgemental". Would another man in the church be wrong for telling another man his tight revealing jean and mesh shirt is inappropiate?
I like what Paul states in Romain 14:13-21:
13: 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. 14: As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. 15: If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died. 16: Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. 17: For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18: because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
19: Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 20: Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21: It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.
The catch all is verse 21: It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.
If your defense is "the one looking needs to pray more and grow up spiritually", then you have just declared you strength in the Lord thus your responsibility according to scripture is to bear the infirmity of the weak (the one looking) [Romans 15:1] and knowing that your brother or sister is overtaken in a fault, ye (that's you) which are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meekness (Galatians 6:1).
Many churches have become the place where men (men that don't know the Lord nor do they have any intention in knowing Him) come into the church looking for a woman and woman looking for a man. When the church becomes such a place to attract a mate men and women will lower their standards by their abandonment of modest apparel and they will hide behind their freedom in Christ Jesus to justify the cleavage, tight skirts and high heel shoes.
Nathaniel Lewis invites your to visit Going Against The Grain at: http://www.GoingAgainstTheGrain.org where you will find hundreds of thought provoking and inspiring articles. You can find out more about this author at: http://NathanielLewis.info.