When
the warmer weather comes, we’re all hunting through our closets, raiding our
friends' rooms, and hitting the malls for summer clothes. The problem is, alot
of what you find in stores is too short, too tight, and too low. Thankfully,
shirts are a bit longer these days, but still, the “sexy” look is everywhere.
1
Corinthians 8:9 says
“Be careful, however, that
the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.”
Using our freedom to wear the “sexy” look- to see just how much attention we
can get from the guys- makes us a stumbling block.
In
1 Corinthians 6:12, Paul quotes a saying of the time used to defend immoral
behavior. “Everything is permissible for me,” but then he challenges that freedom by
continuing, “but not everything is beneficial...” Isn’t that true for so much of what we do,
say, and even wear?
behavior. “Everything is permissible for me,” but then he challenges that freedom by
continuing, “but not everything is beneficial...” Isn’t that true for so much of what we do,
say, and even wear?
Don’t
just think of “the weak” as guys with the “bad boy” reputation. The New Living
Translation reads “…Do not cause a brother with a weaker
conscience to stumble,” (emphasis added). We need to think in terms of our
Christian brothers. Guys are visual, connect the dots kind of creatures. Show
them a little something and their imagination may take them further than you
intended for them to go. If you love the attention you are getting because of
shirts that ride a little too high, or pants that ride a little too low, it’s
because guys are connecting the dots. They are left imagining more of you.
Our
clothing choices affect those around us, and they affect our inner value.
Showing
too much of ourselves gives away too much of ourselves. It turns us into a stumbling
block for not only those around us, but for ourselves! We end up not respecting our
bodies as the temple our Heavenly Father created them to be. And, we end up tripping
up the very people we are trying to lift up, not let down…our brothers-in-Christ.
too much of ourselves gives away too much of ourselves. It turns us into a stumbling
block for not only those around us, but for ourselves! We end up not respecting our
bodies as the temple our Heavenly Father created them to be. And, we end up tripping
up the very people we are trying to lift up, not let down…our brothers-in-Christ.
I
know it can be hard to find clothes that leave you looking great, and cover
everything
you want covered, but they are out there! It just takes a little extra work. If you find
the cutest spaghetti strap tank that you just can’t live without, but it is showing too much
skin or is too low cut, layer it over a great tee! Look for tanks that have wide enough
shoulder straps to cover your bra. Lean over and look in a mirror- can you see down
your shirt? If you can, others can too. So pick another shirt, one that keeps to you what
belongs to you. Make sure your shorts cover all they’re supposed to, and keep your underwear, UNDER your clothes.
you want covered, but they are out there! It just takes a little extra work. If you find
the cutest spaghetti strap tank that you just can’t live without, but it is showing too much
skin or is too low cut, layer it over a great tee! Look for tanks that have wide enough
shoulder straps to cover your bra. Lean over and look in a mirror- can you see down
your shirt? If you can, others can too. So pick another shirt, one that keeps to you what
belongs to you. Make sure your shorts cover all they’re supposed to, and keep your underwear, UNDER your clothes.
God
has blessed us with freedom. Freedom to make choices that reflect our
commitment to living a godly life. His Word protects and defends us by urging us to “be
careful” with our freedom. The stumbling block that the “weak” trip over, may be the very thing that is holding you back from truly seeing your beauty as God does.
commitment to living a godly life. His Word protects and defends us by urging us to “be
careful” with our freedom. The stumbling block that the “weak” trip over, may be the very thing that is holding you back from truly seeing your beauty as God does.
Written by: Jen Brennan
Copyright, virtuousreality.com
******
I found this article and knew it would be a perfect kickoff to a summer series about modesty.
For me personally, reading and reading this article has made me think alot about how I use my freedom in my choice of clothing. The example of taking a cute spaghetti strap tank and layering it over another shirt is something I do quite often. (like in the picture below)
So how are you using your freedom??
I took this past week and did a lot of praying, and writing. And I felt like this series was a must to start things out with. :) so i hope you enjoyed it! Check back every Monday for a new post =D Comment, share, let me hear your feedback!
Have a blessed week!! <3 KayLeigh
Awesome! Great info and so true. So many young ladies do not think about showing off your shoulders or bra straps... but it really does draw attention to unwanted places by our male friends. Underclothing is just that... to remain under and unseen! Love it! Thanks for being so diligent KayLeigh. You are an amazing young woman. Love YOU!
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