Christians and the beach

[freedfromsin]

Christians and modesty:

What ever happened to modesty in the Christian arena? Today most people who claim to be Christians seem to have little or no values on the issue. Why is it that Christians seem to think that the beach is open territory for revealing themselves to others. Modesty does not end as the shoreline or the pool. As Christians we need to hold the same ideals of modesty where ever we go. That may mean that we do not participate in some functions OR if we do we do not look like the world when we do. We are to be a peculiar people. Set apart, living our lives in a Holy manner. The standards that we should hold for modesty in everyday life should not and do not end because of entertainment at the beach or pool or any water activities

Here is a link to modest swimwear; http://www.wholesomewear.com/

And here is a teaching on modest clothing;

How does a woman discern the sometimes fine line between

proper dress and dressing to be the center of attention? The answer starts in the intent of the heart. A woman should examine her motives and goals for the way she dresses. Is her intent to show the grace and beauty of womanhood? Is it to reveal a humble heart devoted to worshipping God? Or is it to call attention to herself and flaunt her beauty? Or worse, to attempt to lure men sexually? A woman who focuses on worshipping God will consider carefully how she is dressed, because her heart will dictate her wardrobe and appearance." John MacArthur

A woman should ask herself what statement do my clothes make about my heart? In choosing what clothes to wear today, whose attention do I

desire and whose approval do I crave? Am I seeking to please and honor God or impress others? Is what I wear consistent with biblical values of modesty, self-control and respectable apparel, or does my clothing reveal an inordinate identification and fascination with sinful cultural values? Who am I trying to identify with through my clothing? Is the Word of God my standard or is it the latest fashion or simply my personal desire or comfort? Have I solicited the evaluation of other godly individuals regarding my wardrobe?

Does my clothing reveal an allegiance to the gospel or is

there any contradiction between my profession of faith and

my practice of godliness?

So, I

[kari21]

Wow. I looked at the swimwear from the link....

Is this stuff for AMISH people?????????

I think a typical one piece bathing suit is plenty modest.

[kitty1]

I also noticed that none of those swim suits were wet.

If the photos were taken with the young girls getting out of the water it would show the swim suits clinging to there bodies.

I agree with a plain one piece swimsuit for comfort sake, and once out of the water a wrap would work nicely.

I am very picky on the cloths my girls were. I want them to have the right appearence and more so I don't want unwanted eyes lerring at my children.

[Afal]

Wow! What an interesting article. I had always thought that I dressed modestly, but according to your post I don't as I failed the modesty check. Ummmmm I do wear sleeveless blouses in the summer, but they don't reveal my bra (so I don't feel bad about them!).

I agree with Kari that a one-piece swimsuit is sufficiently modest in itself.

[Massorite]

Christians and modesty:

What ever happened to modesty in the Christian arena? Today most people who claim to be Christians seem to have little or no values on the issue. Why is it that Christians seem to think that the beach is open territory for revealing themselves to others. Modesty does not end as the shoreline or the pool. As Christians we need to hold the same ideals of modesty where ever we go. That may mean that we do not participate in some functions OR if we do we do not look like the world when we do. We are to be a peculiar people. Set apart, living our lives in a Holy manner. The standards that we should hold for modesty in everyday life should not and do not end because of entertainment at the beach or pool or any water activities

Here is a link to modest swimwear; http://www.wholesomewear.com/

And here is a teaching on modest clothing;

How does a woman discern the sometimes fine line between

proper dress and dressing to be the center of attention? The answer starts in the intent of the heart. A woman should examine her motives and goals for the way she dresses. Is her intent to show the grace and beauty of womanhood? Is it to reveal a humble heart devoted to worshipping God? Or is it to call attention to herself and flaunt her beauty? Or worse, to attempt to lure men sexually? A woman who focuses on worshipping God will consider carefully how she is dressed, because her heart will dictate her wardrobe and appearance." John MacArthur

A woman should ask herself what statement do my clothes make about my heart? In choosing what clothes to wear today, whose attention do I

desire and whose approval do I crave? Am I seeking to please and honor God or impress others? Is what I wear consistent with biblical values of modesty, self-control and respectable apparel, or does my clothing reveal an inordinate identification and fascination with sinful cultural values? Who am I trying to identify with through my clothing? Is the Word of God my standard or is it the latest fashion or simply my personal desire or comfort? Have I solicited the evaluation of other godly individuals regarding my wardrobe?

Does my clothing reveal an allegiance to the gospel or is

there any contradiction between my profession of faith and

my practice of godliness?

So, I

[sheya joie]

A camisole under a blouse can also help to avoid bralines being seen.

Some years I found out that a Christian brother had gotten a glimpse of my, er, chest when I leaned over. He cherished that image and used it to commit mental adultery against his wife for years! How did I find out? Because he told me himself after my husband died - the guy started hitting on me, even though he was married.

I would hate for such a thing to happen to anyone else.

[AndrewA]

Some people will not be happy unless every woman wears a tent from head to toe that dosn't even remotely show any kind of shape. Guess we should look to Muslim women and wear something like they do. But even then there will be a number of men who will fantasize and "be tempted" by a woman wearing a tent. Nuns are a good example, a nuns uniform is not sexy or reveling, but theres plenty of people who find such a thing a turn on and plenty of things within the adult industry to support this.

The world is to blame for taking women, who are Gods beautiful creation and turning them into sex objects. If all men could look at a naked woman and simply see a beautiful creation and see her body as a work of art, then the world would be a better place, but unfortunately the world is not like that and Satan has his fun perverting Gods creation.

Yes dress modestly, especially for church, I am all for that and I know all full too well what its like to be distracted by women who dress in certain inappropriate ways, however I think common sense should be considered , men will be distracted and fantasize over women regardless of what they wear , to restrict women to wearing baggy clothes that cover from head to toe is not really practical or right

As for the beach, well I know a number of people who would see someone wearing something from the 1800s a challenge and even more of a excitment for various reasons which i wont go into. there are plenty of one piece suits that are very modest which come with attached skirts there are swimsuits that have short legs combined with a number of other features and if you wear a light shawl when out of the water then you are modestly attired for the beach.

As for temptation, yes if you dress in a bikini or swimsuit and walk around shops or church then yes this is not appropriate and yes it can create some kind of temptation issues for a Christian who struggles with such things. however there is nothing wrong with wearing this on the beach, If there are any Christian men who struggle with issues of temptation who are on a beach then they are the ones who are in the wrong as they are dilibertly putting themselves in a position of temptation. If you are going to remove this man will be tempted and have bad thoughts then all women should be covered or segregated in society but thats never going to happen.

[Scarletprayers]

Andrew I agree, there is clothing that is inapproiate, and worn for only one purpose, attention, but this article is just blaming women for someone elses sin. Like you said, there are some that wont be happy until we are all in burqa's and even then some would still have a problem.

[AndrewA]

A note on swimwear There is no such thing as store bought swimwear that is modest. Take a pair of not too tight jeans and cut them off around the knees. For a top wear a shirt that is not exposing the body and yet is comfortable. Under the clothing wear a full length swim suit rather then just underwear. Remember as women we need to take care not to clothe ourselves in a manner that causes our brothers to be tempted or bring dishonor on our Lord. These guys have a big battle to fight. Sometimes we will have to deny selves to follow Christ. While self sacrifice is seldom taught or practiced today for the godly woman seeking modesty it is a lifestyle.

I think people are not addressing the real issue. There are many men who can actually be in presence of women on beach and not have a single immoral thought enter or take root in their mind. OK so you may be dressed in several layers of clothing from neck to knee and wrist if you are in a private pool part or something with other Christians, then yes fine.. however the main issue is this, if you are on public beach you may be dressed modestly but what about the hundreds of other women who wear almost nothing at all and in some cases nothing at all

If you are on a beach in presence of a Christian male who struggles with immoral thoughts then what on earth is he doing going to such a place? It is the person who knows he has a problem with sin and putting himself in that position to sin and have immoral thoughts that is in the wrong.

[Emily~Anne]

I choose my bathing suit according to what best fits my needs for being able to have fun with my kids without worry. A two piece is not practical for this. The top does not stay in place when I dive off a diving board. An extremely modest swimsuit that has a long skirt attached would also not be practical. I am a highly active woman and I want to have fun and not be hindered by excess draping material. My swimsuit is a one piece high chested athletic swimsuit. It works very well. I do have swim shorts also that I can wear over the suit, even in water, but I dont like how it fills up with air and looks like a balloon. I wear the shorts when I am walking around the pool but not in the pool.