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Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins
"Drssing Like a Floozy"
Those are not my words. They come from the lips of one of the most famous “supermodels” in that business. She has appeared on the cover of more than 500 magazines around the world. The physical beauty she possesses has been a financial boon to her, but she has learned the hard way that money, financial security, is not worth the price she has paid.
Her name is Kim Alexis, but the name was unfamiliar to me for obvious reasons. In The New American magazine of June 16, 2003, page 28, she speaks of her regret for influencing young women to abandon modesty in favor of “fashion” and social acceptance.
Her words are for mothers and fathers and all others who want the truth about her profession as well as about virtuous behavior:
“There are pictures I look back on today and think, Oh, why did I let them talk me into that? I made some choices I’m not proud of.”
Of course, to many teenage girls, she was not only adored, but she was the example of beauty many of them desperately hope to achieve. However, she now knows she was used, and regrets the pictures her children will see for years to come, long after the peak of her popularity. She said:
“Many women are playing with fire in the way they dress. Dressing like a floozy tells the world, ‘look at me, want me, lust after me. I’m easy and you can have me.’ Displaying intimate parts of the body is a form of advertising for sex – so if you dress to attract sexual attention, you can hardly blame anyone else if that kind of attention comes your way.“
If I wrote or said those things they might call me a “dirty old man.” If a law enforcement official said that, feminists would explode in anger. But those are Kim Alexis’ words, and she ought to know. We should listen to her words, even if we disagree with her on other matters.
Though it was years ago, as a football coach I heard locker room talk about what guys think of girls who dress like a “floozy.” I know.
Neither are fathers so far removed from their youth that they do not know these things, and for the life of me, I cannot understand why they don’t do what fathers should do. How can they allow their daughters to leave the house with so much flesh in full view? Don’t they care?
Too many twelve and thirteen year old girls, on the eve of maturity, have followed the example of “supermodels” in magazines. Whether they know it or not, they are doing just what Kim Alexis said. They are "advertising,” and many will wish they had used better judgment in the choices they are making now.
And where are mothers when these young girls are buying those clothes, and when they choose to wear them? Have they forgotten the lessons they had to learn at that age? Kim Alexis, now a mother herself, realizes that her past may be hard to overcome in rearing a daughter in today’s world. She had to learn her lessons the hard way.
The Creator of us all knows the power of the attraction between male and female. He put it there so mankind could prevail and populate the earth. But He also warned man about violating this attraction. To characterize the dress of a virtuous woman, God chose the word, “shamefastness.”
From the Greek word, aidos, the attitude of a woman is described. Rienecker says this about it:
“The word describes the pious, pure and clean action which is in accord with God’s command. The hands are holy which have not been given over to deeds of wicked lust.”
W. E Vine describes it this way:
“Shamefastness is that modesty that is rooted in the character...it is having regard for others.”
It is not the same as being ashamed, but having the right attitude about self and others, being determined not to cause another to sin. Jesus said:
“It is impossible but that occasions of stumbling will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were well for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were thrown into the sea,” Luke 17:1-2.
Yes, Satan tempts us daily, but men and women must not only “resist the devil,” James 4:7, but must refuse to cast stumbling blocks in the paths of others. If you cause me to sin, both of us are guilty.
These closing words of Kim Alexis are worthy of our attention:
“Dressing modestly tells the world, ‘I respect myself and I insist on being treated with respect.’ It’s possible to be stylish and attractive without wearing something that is too short, tight, low-cut or see-through.”
More than ever I appreciate our guys and girls who are proving they intend to dress and behave as Christians should in a society overcome by vulgarity.
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“If honor be your clothing, the suit will last a lifetime, but if clothing be your honor, it will soon be worn thread bare.”
“If a meek and quiet spirit is to be my chief ornament, and I am striving to profess my godliness to those around me, they will be able to see Jesus in me.”
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The Dying Coal - The Christian Who
Separates Himself from Others
A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, suddenly stopped coming to services. After a few weeks, the preacher decided to visit. The preacher found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his preacher's visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace, and waited.
The preacher made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, he took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember, and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent.
The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember's flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow, and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and lifeless.
The preacher glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember, and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.
As the preacher reached the door to leave, his host said with a tear running down his check, "Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back in services next Sunday."
What silent message would God have you share with someone today? Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16
A man may go to heaven.....without health, without wealth, without fame, without a great name, without learning, without earnings, without culture, without beauty, without friends, and without ten thousand other things......But he can NEVER go to Heaven without Christ. We need each other to keep the flame burning.
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