by Don Hooton
Well, it’s Summer again. Stores across America have racks full of the itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny, yellow polka-dot bikinis – and much much… less. In fact, American women spend more than eight billion dollars a year on bikinis alone (statisticbrain.com). And according to Bethany Baird’s blog Lies Young Women Believe, girls are obsessed with the bikini because:
“The world says they’re cute! You get the opportunity to showcase your entire body, and it’s totally acceptable. You can get some serious attention from guys…” She traces her mothering from her own upbringing when she wore them and said, “As I grew up and got a little bit older, my parents started talking to me about the concept of modesty. My perspective on bikinis slowly started to change. I came to the conclusion that a bikini is basically like a bra and underwear but designed for water. I realized that just because the bikini is culturally acceptable, that doesn’t make it a wise wardrobe choice. I would NEVER go anywhere in my bra and underwear, so why would I go swimming in something that covered the same amount of body? I’ve decided that I have to be consistent. I can’t uphold one standard for the dry world and another for the wet world.”
Even though culture may call bikinis the better fashion choice, it has no idea of what Christians should view as the better choice. In fact, Paul tells Christians to see themselves as non-conformists and as a result, transform their behavior this way: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). You see, Christians want their choices to reflect the will of God – not the will of Macy’s or Target.
Please understand I am not advocating some kind of “prudiness” or full body flapper sets with bright orange flowers all over them. What I am suggesting is that if your summer choices are determined by cultural standards, by what’s popular, or what makes you feel sexy, your choice is not to glorify God. But what should Christians do?
Paul says, “Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments; but rather by means of good works, as befits women making a claim to godliness” (1Timothy 2:9-10).
Did you hear that? What we choose to wear should be dictated by professing godliness. While the context here is first to women, and second, to an impropriety of lavish extravagance rather than of a lack of clothes (unheard of in that age in the first place), it contrasts godly women from those women of sensual and worldly excess who aim to draw all eyes to them. Notice these two commentary notes:
- “These terms stress not so much the absence of sexual suggestiveness, though it is included, but rather an appearance that is simple, moderate, judicious, and free from ostentation.” [Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Wheaton, IL: Scripture Press Publications, 1985].
- “Those that profess godliness should, in their dress, as well as other things, act as becomes their profession; instead of laying out their money on fine clothes, they must lay it out in works of piety and charity, which are properly called good works.” [Henry, Matthew, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Bible, Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1997]
Professing godliness, then, must mean a greater attention to the display of godly character than sun kissed skin and glamorous attire. Godly women will want to impress their man with godliness rather than displaying her body to entice him to sensual transgression.
Whether it is bikinis or swim trunks, jeans or Tshirts, a Christian woman will make the good choice (as should a Christian man) of wearing what really professes godliness. Be modest for the Son.