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Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins
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Wearing the "Attire of a Harlot"
Solomon wrote about a young man who met a “woman with the attire of an harlot,” Prov. 7:10. He warned that young man of the consequences of meeting and having a relationship with such a woman. Today, when modern movies seek to portray a woman as a prostitute, she is dressed (!) in tight, skimpy, very brief garments that display much of her body to allure en who are looking for such a person. This summer a trip to the mall will bring you in contact with many women, young and older, who, though perhaps not prostitutes, are in the “attire of an harlot,” and show as much of their body as their clothing will allow. What’s the difference? Not very much is there.
Most Christian women recognize their obligation to themselves, their family and their God to act, dress, and speak in such a way that they s how forth their love for truth and righteousness. But those of the world keep lowering the standards, and God’s standard has been blurred in the minds of many, even Christians.
This is not a subject about which the Bible is silent, for it is a book that deals with each and every ethical or moral issue. When God made male and female, He made them different, and that “difference” was a part of what God referred to as “very good,” Genesis 1:31. But the Bible makes it clear that humans are not to act as animals. Sexual relations are to be enjoyed only within marriage, but humans seem to be regressing in moral attitudes, determined to behave as animals rather than making true progress toward decent behavior.
Christians are required to be moral and ethical according to God’s standards rather than those of men. In 1 Peter 2:5 we are told that Christians are “an holy priesthood,” intended to serve God and others in holy and righteous ways. When David initiated that unholy series of events that eventuated in his adulterous affair with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah, its roots were in David’s lustful thoughts as he watched her, 2 Samuel 11.
Matthew 5:28 provides guidance for proper attitudes in this regard when Jesus said,
- “Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”
Every man has an obligation to make a “covenant” with his eyes (see Job 31:1) that he does not sin in his heart. But each and every woman also has a similar obligation to guard against any behavior or dress that would cause a normal man to look at her in that way. In Luke 17:1-2, Jesus also said:
- “It is impossible but that offenses will come: but woe unto him through whom they come? It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and be cast in the sea.”
It is clear that males must guard their behavior in this matter, but it is just as clear that females must not dress or act in such a way that would cause another to sin. Immodest dress and behavior is clearly the cause in many, if not most, cases of this “looking to lust.” When the apostle Paul was inspired to enumerate those actions which constitute the “works of the flesh,” he included “lasciviousness,” Galatians 5:19. Included in the definition of lascivious behavior is any action which “tends to excite lustful desire.” Therefore, who can deny that immodest apparel is a form of lasciviousness? Surely no Christian woman in her right mind would want to cause another human being to sin against God. Because of the way she has adorned herself. God’s admonition to women in 1 Timothy 2:9-10 says:
- “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But which becometh women professing godliness with good works.”
Each Christian, male and female, has an obligation to behave and speak in a way that is appropriate for a Christian. When we fail to do so, we not only bring reproach upon ourselves, but upon others. Please think seriously about this matter, for your soul and the souls of others are at stake.
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So, You Have Troubles
Eliphaz the Temanite observed that, "Man is born unto trouble, As the sparks fly upward" (Job 5:7). Troubles are common to all people regardless of social status, ethnic background or gender. The important thing is how one copes with troubles.
A woman who had endured much suffering once asked a preacher, "When am I going to get out of these troubles?" He wisely responded, "You should have asked, "What am I going to get out of these troubles?"
While it is difficult to understand what good can come from suffering, we can be sure that "all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose," Romans 8:28.
There are several ways one can benefit from suffering. In the first place, suffering often drives one closer to God Who can supply every need. Secondly, suffering can be an aid to self-knowledge. Under severe pain, one often finds strengths that he did not know were there. In the third place, suffering can often wean the heart from the love of this present world. How strange it is that in times of suffering, the simple things of life take on more value, while the extravagant things take on less.
Finally, the future glory is heightened by the suffering endured in this life. Hear Paul, who suffered much, "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us," Romans 8:18.
The following verse from an author unknown to us should help the sufferer to understand something of the worth of pain:
- Who has not suffered does not know
All that his God would have him know.
He has not learned the patient trust
That those who suffer bravely must.
He has not seen Faith's Star arise
Above the blackest midnight skies,
Nor clung to hope that lights the way
Across the grayest, bleakest day,
Nor waited, quietly aware
Of God beyond unanswered prayer
He has not known how deep a peace
May follow some sweet, sure release.
Who hath not suffered does not know
All that his God would have him know.
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When the Scriptures Really Help Us
"There is a very large part of the Bible which can be received by us only when we come into the places for which the words were given. There are promises for weakness which we can never get while we are strong. There are words for times of danger which we can never know while we need no protection. There are consolations for sickness whose comfort we can never get while we are in robust health. There are promises for times of loneliness, when men walk in solitary ways, which never can come with real meaning to us while loving companions are by our side. There are words for old age which we never can appropriate for ourselves along the years of youth, when the arm is strong, the blood warm, the heart brave. God cannot show us the stars while the sun shines in the heavens."
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