In today’s world, skin is all around us. We see it nearly everywhere, to some degree or another, especially in warm temperatures and near bodies of water. Images in the medias of movies, television, internet, even photos and artwork, all seem to try to convince us that more skin is better and it’s not a big deal because it’s pretty, or it’s realistic, or it’s fashionable, or “just the way it is”. But should it be? At the risk of being unpopular or being labeled a prude, really, how much is ok and how much is too much?
The Bible is a fully accurate historical document. The more people set out to disprove it, the more it is proven accurate time and again by our teeny tiny extremely limited but growing knowledge. It’s actually not that the Bible is proven accurate, but that the new knowledge we gain is proven accurate by the Bible. With this understanding, lets look at the first documented covering of the naked body from this historical context.
At the beginning of creation when the first man and woman were created, we are told:
In the Beginning…
”And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.“
Genesis 2:25
So being naked in and of itself (with your spouse) was pure and sinless, but choices were made that the Bible tells us changed all that.
What changed?
”So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.“
Genesis 3:6-7
Let’s insert here that a lot of people want to blame the woman (who was later named Eve) for the “fall of man” and the introduction of sin into the world. While she was the first to disobey the instruction God (given to her by her husband, Adam, who was told directly by God) not to eat of the fruit. Yet Adam was standing with Eve, not protecting her, not reminding her, but staying silent and then also eating. They each/both (indirectly and directly, respectively) disobeyed God for the first time.
But beyond that, notice that their sin instinctively caused them to immediately know they must be covered as they used leaves to do so. Why sin prompted the need to cover is up for speculation. Maybe it was the feeling in their soul that they did something wrong that must be hidden/covered up. But whatever the reason, their actions set that into motion, and this instinctive belief was then endorsed and supported by God, who covered them.
God Himself covered them both…
“…for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.“
Genesis 3:21
Notice it says God made tunics for BOTH of them, and not only a loincloth for Adam and a mini-sarong and bikini top for Eve, as culture would want us to believe. God clothed them equally, each with a tunic.
How much did God cover?
The word “tunic” is actually from words pronounced keth-o-neth koot-to-neth, which means to cover: with a shirt, coat, garment, robe. God covered them.
Later, God tells Moses:
”“For Aaron’s sons you shall make tunics, and you shall make sashes for them. And you shall make hats for them, for glory and beauty.“
Exodus 28:40
”And you shall make for them linen trousers to cover their nakedness; they shall reach from the waist to the thighs.“
Exodus 28:42
Is it ok to be entertained by nakedness? God indicates it is not. We know God clothed them from the shoulders, completely covering their trunks/torsos (as would a shirt/coat/robe), and past their waist to the thighs (as later explained in Exodus when He instructs Moses not only to make tunics and sashes, but to also make “trousers” (what we know as underwear)).
In conclusion…
As conservative as I am, I’ve come to recognize I’ve made plenty of compromises in entertainment and clothing choices in my life. I have refined a lot from where I was when I was in my 20s, but have come to recognize I could still do a lot better.
Will people think us weird? Yes. Will fellow Christians label us extreme? Yep. Culture (Satan) has done its best to convince the world that good is bad and evil is right, normalizing and popularizing so much, and labeling as intolerant, something-phobic, judgmental, narcissistic, and controlling anyone who dare not agree.
So…whose opinion of us matters most? Culture? Friends? Peers? Family? or GOD?
Sometimes being Christ-like isn’t popular…but it is necessary. Sometimes crucifixion of societal norms is the only way to avoid being lukewarm spew (Rev. 3:16) and to truly show we are indeed 100% His.
Please consider what I’ve shared. Really honestly analyze personal choices. It’s ok to refine as needed.
Have a blessed day!