Not only am I reminded of my post-baby(ies), nearing-40 body that will never return to pre-baby elasticity. I’m slowly learning to be OK with that. But seeing all the “skin” brings out so many emotions, specifically regarding those I love who have wrestled and wrestled and wrestled with lust. (I think that’s why that video about the “evolution of the swim suit” hit me so hard.)

Granted, sex and everything sexual will forever be a temptation. I mean, God brilliantly created sex to be really good. He placed within humans a sexual desire for one another. And regardless of the cultural fashion trends — from bikinis to full body coverage — the temptation to fulfill the physical sex drive will mark us as alive-creatures. It’s what perpetuates a growing population.

So does it really matter what I wear or don’t wear? I mean, if the temptation will still be there regardless of what I have on, should I even care about being modest, especially if I have a firm, non-freckly body that looks great in a bikini? Which, for the record, I don’t.

I’ve gone round and round in my mind with God on this. And here’s where I land every time. Ultimately, even what I choose to wear is a heart issue. You and I aren’t the Judge. My lines or laws regarding what to wear aren’t what gives me or anyone else righteousness.

I could be as Pharisee as they come — missing the point of love and grace — while wearing a turtleneck to the beach. And what good is that, except to prove how modest I am and to sweat profusely.

But if I’m wearing near-nothing with an underlying intention of wanting someone to notice and affirm my beauty because I’m so insecure with who I am, then that’s a whole other heart issue — one of seeking life and affirmation from this world rather than from my Creator.

Everything comes down to the heart — us individually before God. And any righteousness I claim is only because of Jesus. It will never come from what I wear or don’t wear.

As it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;
no one understands; no one seeks for God…” (Romans 3:10-11)

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it – the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe… (Romans 3:21-22)

For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness. ” (Romans 4:3)

We’re made righteous by faith in Jesus alone.

That said, I do think modesty has its place. I partly know because I asked my husband, “Does it really matter what women wear? I mean, is the temptation to lust really affected by clothing.” His response, “Ummm, yeah.”

Being that I’ve walked beside a number of Christian brothers who struggle to even come to church on Sunday mornings because of the clothes that women wear (or don’t wear), yeah, I do think modesty has its place. I think it’s only respectful and helpful to be conscious of what I’m putting on so that I’m not a stumbling block to a brother who wants to worship without seeing my (non)cleavage.

I mean, I wouldn’t drink a glass of wine in front of a friend who has battled alcoholism. Or smoke crack around a recovering crack-addict. OK I plan to never smoke crack regardless of who’s around but... My point is that I can either help or hurt those who may be battling with lust. And considering the number of emails I get each week about homes crumbling because of lustful addictions, there’s no telling how many people sitting next to us on the pews live in pits of defeat because they haven’t been able to grasp true freedom.

I know. I know that we’re each responsible for our own choices. I know that the way I dress — modest or not — can’t ultimately be what rescues the people around me from lust. But I also know that as much as depends upon me, I don’t want to instigate a struggle. I don’t want to perpetuate the problem.

Bottom line, I want God to use me to glorify Himself. I want to help my brothers and sisters in Christ to honor Jesus. And I never want to be found judging others because of their clothing choices when everything comes down to the heart.

Lines or rules are fine as long as we know that they will never make us righteous. And as long as we know that our lines and rules, specifically on the grey areas of life like bathing suits, may be different from the lines and rules of those beside us.

Only One sees the heart. Only One knows whether or not you or I are walking this life in freedom; or if we’re walking in bondage to lust or insecurity.

So I pray we get before our God — one on one — and ask Him to reveal our heart, even regarding our clothing choices. Because only He sees the heart. And in the end, it’s my heart — it’s your heart — before Him alone.

 
Fill me, Lord…

I’m curious. How have you wrestled with this? What are your thoughts on the issue?
 

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