Nagging Question..........

[hupo]

Homeless people and people who live in third-world countries aside (yes, I understand why THEY wouldn't be able to wash)...I just think it's kinda a respect thing to keep yourself clean to the best of your abilities. I wouldn't want to put my friends in the awkward place of having to smell my B.O. all day. I'd be embarassed if I did. Yes, it's a cultural thing, but I don't see why it should be a problem for your everyday joe with access to a shower and soap to at least put a little bit of effort in.

I wouldn't go to a job interview smelling like I hadn't washed in a week. I wouldn't throw a party for my friends smelling like I hadn't washed in a week (they'd still love me, but I still wouldn't do it). I've worked construction, so I know what it is to get dirty and smelly because of my job...but I would shower once I got home. It's a self-respect thing, for me.

And just so everyone knows...there are quite a few all-natural deodorants (no chemicals) out there. Ask your local naturopath.

I agree with you, it would be the natural way to function in this world.

That wasn't the topic though. A part of the OT was a question: "Is it offensive to God to be physically offensive to your fellow man?".

God is not offended by our outer physical appearance, but by the attitude of our hearts.

So, if I go dirty, not caring what people around me think or feel, my not caring is what is offensive to God, not the dirt .

Blessings

[Emily~Anne]

Homeless people and people who live in third-world countries aside (yes, I understand why THEY wouldn't be able to wash)...I just think it's kinda a respect thing to keep yourself clean to the best of your abilities. I wouldn't want to put my friends in the awkward place of having to smell my B.O. all day. I'd be embarassed if I did. Yes, it's a cultural thing, but I don't see why it should be a problem for your everyday joe with access to a shower and soap to at least put a little bit of effort in.

I wouldn't go to a job interview smelling like I hadn't washed in a week. I wouldn't throw a party for my friends smelling like I hadn't washed in a week (they'd still love me, but I still wouldn't do it). I've worked construction, so I know what it is to get dirty and smelly because of my job...but I would shower once I got home. It's a self-respect thing, for me.

And just so everyone knows...there are quite a few all-natural deodorants (no chemicals) out there. Ask your local naturopath.

I agree with you, it would be the natural way to function in this world.

That wasn't the topic though. A part of the OT was a question: "Is it offensive to God to be physically offensive to your fellow man?".

God is not offended by our outer physical appearance, but by the attitude of our hearts.

So, if I go dirty, not caring what people around me think or feel, my not caring is what is offensive to God, not the dirt .

Blessings

Fortunately we do not have to choose between caring about people or being clean. We can care about people and be clean at the same time, and in fact the people I care about will appreciate my being clean. I am not going to look for the poorest example possible of a person who has no shower facilties etc., and use that as an excuse not to shower. That makes about as much sense as "Look she's doing it and she can't help it so therefore it must be OK for everybody to do." There are quadraplegics who can do nothing to help themselves and are unable to even lift a finger. Does this make it OK for the rest of the world to do nothing?

[Iryssa]

See, I think it's offensive to God to not care about the people around me. If the people around me are being distracted or otherwise negatively affected by my B.O., it would be kinder, more loving of me to wash up.

Now, I'm talking about something trivial here...I'm not saying I should do something rediculous like deny my faith just because someone might be offended by the fact that I'm a Christian (I say this because if I don't, I KNOW someone's going to get after me for it). But something as rediculous like SHOWERING before you go to church?? Come on, people. Why wouldn't you?

[hupo]

Okay, I have to jump in here because this getting ridiculous. The mere fact that the Word says that our righteousness was as filthy rags and is therefore displeasing to G-d is evidence that, at least on some level, G-d is not pleased with filth if it is equated with sin in His Word.

Y'all are really funny on what I would think is rather simple topic. Be clean, be neat and be genuine. Geeze, let's all just over-analyze the subject to death. lordamercy.

I should have listened to you earlier Marnie. You are right it's getting rediculous. There seem to be two discussions going on in paralell and they are not going to meet. I'm getting off here.

God bless

[peaceafire]

lack of personal hygiene in the bigger perspective of clothing not washed, nor body, nor home is also often indicative of an individual who has been sexually abused as a child. Many believe it to be the only form of control they have over their lives. Not always the case but very common

[MeCajunboy]

I remember as a teenager my father used to gripe at me over what I wore to church and I'd always reply "God wouldnt care if I showed up in my birthday suit, as long as I showed up" LOL...I still believe that. Its not what's on the outside that matters but what's on the inside.

lol....Tell me, Do you really know how much God would care or are you just making excuses for what you like to wear? My simple answer would be, What would Jesus do? I can remember Jesus washing HIS Diciples feet , partly to show HE was humble, and partly as a "Cleansing Ritual." Simply, ask yourself ,

"If your daughter was getting married and Jesus was Invited to the Wedding, would you mind if HE came with HIS Birthday Suit, or again, would it not matter to YOU? I just never remember in all of the Old Testament or the New Testament God/Jesus speaking of Not wearing clothing is "Fine" with HIM! Sorry.

Blessings

Cajunboy

[peaches]

I remember as a teenager my father used to gripe at me over what I wore to church and I'd always reply "God wouldnt care if I showed up in my birthday suit, as long as I showed up" LOL...I still believe that. Its not what's on the outside that matters but what's on the inside.

i am so teh same way. all my family are dressy types and i am so not.

Deafcanada, I see your point about a messy house; my own can get that way too. And we don't usually want anyone to visit unless we straighten up. But the situation I'm talking about is not 'messy' but filthy. A toilet that a construction worker wouldn't use, a bathtub that's used for storing nasty, smelly mops instead of for bathing, wads of toilet paper stuck to the ceiling, dried spit in the sink, and used feminine products on the floor. She has no qualms about visitors seeing this or the trash and cigarette butts that litter the yard. Personal hygiene is nonexistent and, when eating in a restaurant ,all one can see is the dirty fingernails, greasy hair, dirty clothes, and then of course there's the ever present aura of old sweat. This Christian has no allergies to soaps or the like either because I've seen her wash her hands after pulling weeds and things like that. Maybe she is more concerned with living a good Christian life, and she does, but is it possible to do that if you are living in filth and garbage? Is sloth a sin? I wouldn't toss this person aside because of this but, frankly, I'm embarrassed to be seen with her or visiting her. Maybe the problem is mine, not hers.

ok ew!

whaaaaaat??? c'mon, USED feminine products on teh floor?!?! ew ew ew ew!!!!! where does she shower if mops are in there? oh my goodness, ew!! spit in the sink????? eeeeeew!!!!

i am not making fun or trying to be mean but maybe she has a disorder of some kind. cos seriously, the conditions she is living in .... ew!

its abuse subjecting your child to this! there is no reason to live this way (unless if you have a disorder that blinds you to filth).

definitely pray for this woman. maybe talk to your pastor and see if he/she can help? or if you have like a women's group talk to the leader of it. maybe she knows someone who has tried before with this woman ....

this is a very serious problem. thats not the way a human being should live!

*cringes*

[sierra21]

This has been really bugging me lately......I'm not even sure why but I need to put it to rest.

As a Christian, how important is it to be clean? I mean literally clean; i.e. keeping your house and property clean, bathing, wearing clean clothes. Is it wrong for people to come to church unwashed? I'm not talking about in Bangladesh or somewhere; I mean right here, someone who doesn't HAVE to reek of B.O. or wear stained clothes but apparently either doesn't know better or doesn't care. Is it okay to not care because pride is a sin? Is it offensive to God to be physically offensive to your fellow man? Don't laugh; I am serious! And no, I'm not considering confronting anyone with their lack of hygiene and sqalid living conditions; that's not my place.

I'm going to defer to those of you that are much better versed in scripture than I because I seriously can't figure this one out.

What an odd thread you've started here. *cough* not sure what to say.

[hupo]

Couldn't resist one more post....

I feel this person that is the subject of this whole topic, needs prayer and not judgment.

Father, In Yeshua's name I ask that you open this woman's eyes to see what it is YOU want.... What is YOUR plan for her...

You are all knowing and You love Your children for what they are and not for what they do.

Please Father have mercy on Your child and show her YOUR will.

I ask too, that you show us how YOU would have us respond to people in such situations.

In Yeshua's name

Amen

[MorningGlory]

Couldn't resist one more post....

I feel this person that is the subject of this whole topic, needs prayer and not judgment.

Father, In Yeshua's name I ask that you open this woman's eyes to see what it is YOU want.... What is YOUR plan for her...

You are all knowing and You love Your children for what they are and not for what they do.

Please Father have mercy on Your child and show her YOUR will.

I ask too, that you show us how YOU would have us respond to people in such situations.

In Yeshua's name

Amen

I think you've hit it on the head, hupo. I will add my prayers to yours. It's the only way to reach her that won't end in embarrassment and extreme angst for her. Thanks everyone for your (as usual) excellent advice. I can see which way to go now.