In an age in which we are bombarded with sexually charges images and behavior, Southwest Airlines has apparently drawn a line in the sand. In the past week, two young women (one of whom works for "Hooters," a food establishment which flaunts its immodest waitresses) have been asked to either cover up their bodies or leave the airplane. (A decision I support.)
While this is certainly being examined as a legal issue, and I'm sure that Southwest Airlines is in close communication with its attorneys these days, there is also the question of modesty and public decency. Where did the idea come from that we should clothe our bodies? It goes all the way back to Genesis 3:21, "And the Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and He clothed them."
Why was this necessary? Sin entered the world because of the original couple's rebellion. With that sin came the corruption of sexuality, which God created to be "very good." There is nothing sinful about the human body, and there is nothing sinful about sex, but there is something sinful in lusting after something that doesn't belong to you.
As corporations know, "sex sells." American Family Association recently emailed their members regarding sexually provocative TV ads by Hardees. Imagine that! Hamburgers are being sold by showing scantly dressed women seducing men (and in some cases minors). On a side note, I ate my first Hardee burger last fall on the way to a Christian book convention (against the insistent warning of my wiser younger sister) and I mean to tell you, it was anything but sexy!! Greasy...definitely! Sludgy...for sure! But marketing can only take your weekly allowance of fat and cholesterol on one sesame-seed-bun so far!
None of us are exempt from the pull of temptation. The stronger you think you are, the harder you might fall. There is something within all of our hearts (including mine) to take the forbidden fruit and want what does not belong to us. We each have our areas of weakness. For some it may be sex, for some money, for some self-glory in personal accomplishment. Whatever our propensity toward vice, we need a savior who is stronger than our flesh. Taking what does not belong to us leaves us with a leftover taste in our mouth and a sour feeling in our gut that is very similar to my Hardee burger experience.
I'm so thankful for my dear friends at Pure Life Ministries (PLM) who uncompromisingly call believers back to repentance and holiness. I know these brothers and sisters personally and they walk the talk. What a blessing they have been to so many of us! The problem in our culture is not merely sexual sin, it's the pervasive cult of self. Our narcissistic infatuation with ourselves is at the root of many of our personal, social and moral problems. PLM constantly chops at the roots of sin issues, and doesn't merely trim the branches.
Steve Gallagher and his wife Kathy Gallagher do most of the writing of PLM's books, while Jeff and Rose Colon run the Live-In program and the "Overcomers At-Home" (OCAH) program. My friend Justin Carabello is doing much more speaking these days, including traveling internationally with Steve to minister in Latin American, and other, countries. There are many other wonderful counselors and other staff whom we have come to love as family. I can't speak highly enough for this powerful ministry that God is using to truly change hearts and lives.
Even if you have been to their website in the past, you need to visit again. They have a wonderful new podcast, and tons of articles and free audio files.
The world is always going to be the world, but the Church must be different. May God bring us into a place where Christian women don't dress to be lusted after by men, and where Christian men don't lust after women. May we "each learn to control our body in a way that is holy and honorable." (1 Thess. 4:4)
1 comment:
Very well written, Israel. My husband and me were talking about this recently. While Europe seems to be the continent of addictions (many smoke, drink or use drugs), America is the continent of temptations. It seems the whole society is centered around flesh. Glad to hear people are making a stand!
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