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The Loss of Shame in Women
Culture Invading the Church
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This is not a new battle. It's not a new attitude. This is a need to be like everybody else...."Please don't ask me to transform my life!" And that statement is not new either.
Do you remember what Eve did the moment she realized she had disobeyed God? She clothed herself. She felt shame. And she had not known the idea of shame prior to her submission to Satan. Therefore, we can conclude that covering our bodies is done so because of the shame it would be otherwise. And also let it be said that initially, God created us without shame and without clothes.
There have always been women who took it upon themselves to use their partially clothed bodies to attract men. The daughter of Herodias danced for men in order to please and attract them. It is believed that she performed the Dance of the Seven Veils. It doesn't take much imagination to figure out the veils were removed during the dance to show as much skin as possible...probably to the point of being naked. So...attracting men by showing of the body has been among men and women for a long time.
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 How Did We Get This Far? It has been said that each generation goes farther than the previous. Skirts got shorter. Jeans got tighter. Blouses got lower. Music blasted more vulgarity. Movies that once were rated "X" are now "R's" and some Pg-13's should have been left in the "R" category. So...who decided it's acceptable to make the skirt shorter, the jeans tighter and the movies with more sex and nudity? Answer...somebody with money, media connections and greed. And that somebody knew that if television and magazines put those in front of us over and over and over...we would want it. Worked didn't it?
As we fast forward to our present time, we see an influx of "society says so" into the church. What used to be embarrassing has become norm. And the greater sadness is knowing that church leaders nor older women will say anything. Silence seems to be golden. |
 ACCOUNTABILITY Using this method of teaching is something I do not take lightly. I am continually reminded of James 3:1..."Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly." What I write to you with scripture makes me very accountable for what I proclaim. Teaching other women is serious business. We are all at different levels of spiritual maturity and I would never want to lead anyone astray.
I will have to tell you that this particular topic has not always been well received. I've taught it in ladies Bible classes and have been yelled at, ridiculed, called a liar and excluded from functions of a select group of women. While all of that is painful and truly shows immaturity, I had to conclude that the hurls of insults were about the message and not necessarily the messenger. Needless to say...this is a "HOT" topic. |
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 SPEAKING TO YOUR HEART
We will take the next few weeks to address this sensitive subject. It will be direct. So be prepared. My hope is to make you think the next time you are deciding about what to wear for any occasion. I will be using several resources from various backgrounds. And the purpose of that is to try and help us understand how this affects people from all walks of life. Do your best to keep your heart soft.
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Thank you for your interest and patience. This subject of Modesty must be addressed. I know that my husband has become disgusted with the latest wedding dress fashions. And that is something we will discuss also.
In the mean time...take a double look at what you are wearing. Will it bring glory to God? Are you distinct from the world? How is your attitude?
Blessings, Julie 
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