LADIES, BEWARE!

Guest Writer: Gilbert Alexander

t seems that the fashion designers are at it again. Or did they ever take a little respite from their tireless exploitation of sex? One may wonder whether they make fashions they think will sell, or whether they seek to per­suade people that a certain fashion is the most desirable thing, and thus dictate to people the kind of clothing they should wear. In either case, they are, in many cases, blind leaders of the blind (Matt. 15:14).

 recent newspaper article (12-28-82) out of Atlanta states that Frank Spina, a fashion director, says, "The mini-dress and mini-skirt will be important fashion statements for spring and summer '83." That sounds like a snare for the Christian woman and more anguish for the male Christian. The article describes the "savage look" and the "tease look," which features "lattice-styled backs, key holed details, slits, slashes, and peek-a-boo shoulders." Some of last year's styles are referred to as the "Victorian look." Were you aware of a return to the full clothing of the Victorian era during last year?

an the godly woman afford to allow the ungodly to dictate to her the clothing (or lack of it) she will wear? How does the “savage look" harmonize with the "sobriety" and the "ornament of a meek and quiet spirit" char­acteristic of the godly woman (1 Timothy 2:9; 1 Peter 3:4)? How does the "tease look" harmonize with the "chaste" conduct, the "discreet, sober-minded" behavior that will give the adversary no occasion to speak re­proachfully of the life of a godly woman (Titus 2:4,5; 1 Peter 3:1-6; 1 Timothy 5:14)? And just who is being "teased" and how? Is the objective that every normal male be sexu­ally "teased" by the enticing glimpses afford­ed by the fashion? If not they, then who? And how are they teased?

lease, ladies, don't be afraid to face real­ity. Some gullible ones have already been "teasing," whether wittingly or unwittingly. A brazen society in which women dress as provocatively as they choose and prance and cavort and parade themselves shamelessly before men is no model for the godly (Romans 12:1-2).

he male of the species can readily attest to the nature of such temptations from ungodly fashions. The mind of the flesh gives an appreciative "WOW," while the spiritual mind is put in anguish because of the improp­er thoughts and temptation to lust set before him. Women should know that. Even many pre-teen girls know that, telling each other that the way to attract boys is to get some tight jeans. Then with the right wiggle and maybe some dancing, they are in the boy business.

apid strides have been made in the wrong direction in recent years. This is no effort to settle style controversies, but some bad devel­opments should be apparent. It is a long step from arguing for the appropriateness of the long-topped pants suits to forgetting the long top and donning skintight stretch pants that show one's undergarments or make one think that "she ain't wearin' nothin,'" as a commercial appeals. But the big step has been made. The divorcee out to get another man wears her jeans a little tighter, a song chants. Do ladies hear the message? Would godly women who understand continue to cast a stumbling block before God-fearing men and con­tinue to feed the receptive lustful minds of the ungodly?

ow far better it is that the beauty of women be wholesome and clean and upright, embodying a virtuous life! How much to be appreciated is a godly woman who astutely guards her manner of life so as not to cause others to think less of her, and who seeks al­ways to be an example of purity, sobriety, and prudence!

lease do not pass the problem off by saying, "Why don't you talk about the men?" That will come, but let us face this problem now. It is a problem for both men and women, and it is not without remedy among Christians. [via Words of Life]&

WHY SOME DON’T BELIEVE #6

Guest Writer: Bill Walton

ome people do not believe in God, and Christ, and the Bible because of the false doctrines that are taught in the name of Christianity.

he apostle John tells us of a time during the personal ministry of Jesus when many of His disciples turned away from Him because they misunderstood Him to teach some things that were absurd and grotesque (John 6:60-66). And undoubtedly there are many people today who refuse to believe in the God of the Bible because of some of the absurd and grotesque doctrines that are falsely attributed to Him.

he doctrines of John Calvin have been particularly hurtful to the cause of Christ. Calvin’s doctrine of inherited depravity and his doctrine of unconditional salvation and damnation are still taught by some of the Protestant denominations. Many people mistakenly believe these doctrines are taught in the Bible. Of course, nothing could be further from the truth (Ezek. 18:20-28; Acts 10:34,35).

hen again, some people do not believe in God, and Christ, and the Bible because of the atrocities that have been committed in the name of Christianity. Some people foolishly and illogically blame God for the atrocities committed in the name of Christ by false-Christians. The Crusades, Inquisition, and the Salem witch trials are often cited as examples. But the truth of the matter is those who took part in the atrocities were not real Christians. And Jesus said there would be many false-disciples in the Day of Judgment who would claim they had acted in the name of Christ, but He will condemn them and say, “I never knew you” (Matt. 7:15-23).

gain, some people do not believe because they have given in to their emotions. Some tragedy in their lives has turned them against God, and because they are angry with God they deny Him. Job’s wife, in the Old Testament, was like that. When Job lost practically everything he had and was afflicted with boils from the top of his head to the sole of his feet, his wife told him he ought to curse God and die (Job. 2:9).

any people have reacted to their suffering, or the suffering of their loved ones, by denying the God who would allow them to suffer. But we would all do well to imitate the wisdom and faith of Job (Job 1:20-22) and of David (Psalm 34:17-19).

here are many reasons for unbelief. But none will be of any comfort in the Day of Judgment.&