It is a battle fought each summer. It is a battle propagated on television (Baywatch and other shows), radio and in every other way possible. The battle of modesty.

It is interesting to realize that every Spring the trees, bushes and flowers put on leaves and new life, and make the world look pretty by the way God dresses each. It is a part of the plan of God — during Spring all of nature puts on more, yet the human race, God’s ultimate creation, sees how quick it can get all of the clothes off. We see young ladies walking through stores, constantly tugging on shorts that were to small for them to put on to begin with. We see young men following these ladies to watch the flesh show. A few years ago I witnessed a “live bathing suit show” in a mall in Valdosta, GA, and noticed how the windows were quickly surrounded by young men who were doing everything but drooling all over themselves.

When this subject is addressed by those that are concerned, they are old fogies and die hards who want to “cramp” all of our fun. And, what is sad is that more and more Christians are involved in doing the same thing.

Can we all honestly look at a few Scriptures, and remind ourselves of what God thinks about these things? Gal 5:19-21 "Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, . . . and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."

Notice the word translated lewdness (lasciviousness in the KJV). This comes from a Greek word, which is defined in the following references:

Thayer Greek Lexicon: In the plural, wanton (acts or) manners, as filthy words, indecent physical movements, unchaste handling of males and females, etc.
Vines Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words: aselgeia NT:766 denotes "excess, licentiousness, absence of restraint, indecency, wantonness"; "lasciviousness"

Both of these dictionaries define the word in such a way as to include indecency, or wantonness. This would include dressing in ways to attract attention from the opposite sex. It also includes dancing (which in many situations is the unchaste handling of males and females) as well as mixed swimming. These are works of the flesh — things for which we can lose our place in the kingdom of God. Why would we want to take a chance and miss out on our eternal home over a question of modesty?

Usually when I am discussing this with others the point is raised, “What is modest?” Is it shorts two inches above the knee, three inches . . . Is it the neck plunging to show as much cleavage as possible? Friends, it doesn’t matter what I think — what matters is what God says. Will we allow society to dictate our level of modesty? In many cases, we have already lost the battle. No, as always, we must set the example for the world to see. We can, if we will but do it! Pray that we will.