Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: July 3, 2005
PUBLIC SWIMMING -- # 2
Allen Webster
CONTINUATION OF LAST WEEK’S ARTICLE.
PUBLIC SWIMMING IS A STUMBLING BLOCK
(“But whosoever shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it
were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that
he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” — Matt. 18:6)
Public swimming is sinful because it causes others to lust. Jesus said it would
be better to drown than to cause another to stumble. The issue is much more
serious than some have taken it. One day the “. . . Son of man shall send forth
angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which
do iniquity” (Matt. 13:41; cf. Rom. 14:15). In other words, if I am a stumbling
block, He will not allow me into heaven.
DOES ANYBODY REALLY NOTICE? Some might say, “Nobody pays attention at
the beach. Everybody wears swimsuits and they’ve all seen bodies before.” The
Dallas News report revealed:
Last June the Merit Report asked both men and women their reasons for going to the
beach. More than 60 percent of men and women agree that men go mainly to watch.
When it comes to why women go, the sexes differed. Men were apt to say women go
to be watched (42%). Women reported they go to sun themselves more than anything
(42%), although 30 percent said to be watched!
People do notice, and for the wrong reasons. The old preacher said, “The
problem is, they desire to be chased, not chaste.” Most people want to be
“noticed” and the quickest way is to be “undressed” in the presence of the
opposite sex.
WHO IS TO BLAME? Granted one who lusts is without excuse, no matter what
others are wearing, but those who dress (undress) in a provocative manner are
not innocent. David should have turned his head, but Bathsheba should have
been more careful about where she bathed. What woman would dare accuse
David of just being “dirty minded?” What man would say that he is stronger than
“a man after God’s own heart” (I Sam. 13:14; Acts 13:22)? If he could be tempted,
then anyone can. We are responsible if we cause a brother to stumble (I Cor. 8:
13).
Old Testament priests were forbidden to climb up the altar steps lest those
below see their nakedness (Ex. 20:26). Later they made linen breeches to wear
under their robes (28:40, 41). Though their intention was not to cause lust, they
had to be careful under all circumstances to keep themselves covered. Today, all
Christians are priests (I Pet. 2:9; Rev. 1:6) and must be equally careful not to
expose too much under any circumstances (in public, BJ).
THE POWER OF VISUAL STIMULI: The Bible draws a clear connection between
visual observation and lust. Advertisers are aware of the value of sexual
stimulus as shown in the constant display of flesh in television and magazine
commercials. It is no accident that Paul directed the instruction on modesty
primarily to women. Biologically and psychologically men and women differ.
While there are exceptions, men are more sexually aggressive than women.
Men, therefore, are much more likely to be excited visually than women.
Remember Jesus warned men about looking (Matt. 5:28). He could have reversed
the genders, but He who made us, knew us (John 2:25). Clothes which might
not seem too revealing to women, may be viewed differently by men. Women
should take this into consideration when choosing their clothing (cf. Rom. 14:13).
Young women, especially, must be taught the power they exercise by sight and
touch over men, generally and specifically (cf. Pro. 7:10, 21, 22). Human
attraction is powerful and must be respected. An adolescent male has a difficult
enough time with the frustrating sexual stirrings he is experiencing for the first
time. Husbands find it tough enough keeping marriages together without the
temptation immodesty brings. It is easier for girls to wear modest clothes than
for boys to pluck out their eyes (cf. Mark 9:43-49).
LASCIVIOUSNESS WILL KEEP ONE OUT OF HEAVEN: Immodest apparel is
lascivious — a word we don’t use much but which means “something that causes
lust” (from aselgeia, “filthy word; indecent bodily movements, unchaste handling
of males and females; unbridled lust....shamelessness..,” Thayer). Whatever
tends to excite lust, either in ourselves, or in others, is lascivious (Gal. 5:19, cf.
Mark 7:22; II Cor. 12:21; Eph. 4:19; I Pet. 4:3; Jude 4). To wear it is to become a
part of the group that “shall not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Gal. 5:21).
PUBLIC SWIMMING IS WRONG BECAUSE IT PUTS ONE IN A PLACE OF
TEMPTATION
(“Neither give place to the devil.” — Ephesians 4:27)
Even if we went to the public beach fully clothed, it would still be sinful for it is
unnecessarily placing ourselves in the way of temptation. How can we pray,
“Lead us not into temptation” (Matt. 6:13) and then lead ourselves into it? We
must be “sober” (watchful) lest Satan devour us (I Pet. 5:8). It is hard enough to
avoid his grip without placing ourselves in his trap (cf. II Tim. 2:26). James says,
“Resist (not assist!) the devil and he will flee from you” (4:7). We must not “give
place” to him, which means give him an advantage in tempting us. Any normal
man will be tempted to think unholy thoughts when in the presence of scantily-
clad women. Women, too, can be tempted by seeing men's unclothed bodies.
Why should Christians put themselves in the way of death (cf. James 1:14, 15)?
Christians are to be pure in mind (II Pet. 3:1), conscience (I Tim. 3:9), language
(James 3:20, and body (Heb. 10:22). Paul said, “Neither be partaker of other men’
s sins” (I Tim. 5:22). We must know “eschew evil” (I Pet.3:11) — want no part of
it — and “...have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness...” (Eph. 5:11).
We can become partaker of another’s evil deeds (II John 10, 11; cf. Rom. 1:32).
All of these verses are violated by public swimming.
Some think they can let evil thoughts roam free in the pastures of their minds —
as long as they don’t act on them. The Lord condemns lust. He said, “...
whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her
already in his heart” (Matt. 5:28). The man who lusts after a woman has sinned —
whether or not he says or does anything further (cf. Job 31:1; I Pet. 2:11). (The
thought leads to deed, given opportunity, James 1:13-16). The Lord expects us to
stay clean, even in thought (Pro. 4:23; Phil. 4:8). With this in mind, why go to
where we know we will be tempted and thus decrease our chances of going to
heaven?
PUBLIC SWIMMING IS WRONG BECAUSE IT INDICATES A CALLOUS HEART
(“. . . with shamefacedness and sobriety . . .” — I Tim. 2:9)
Shamefacedness indicates “a sense of shame, modesty” (Vine). Sobriety
(sophrosune) denotes “soundness of mind; self-control . . . good judgment,
moderation . . . especially as a feminine virtue, decency.” The American
Standard Version has shamefastness. “Shamefastness is modesty which is
‘fast’ or rooted in character” (Davies, Bible Dictionary). “Fast” means “firmly
fixed” as a “bedfast” person is firmly fixed in his bed. A shamefast person is
firmly fixed in a sense of shame or modesty. Shamefacedness is the opposite of
boldness or brazenness. This word indicates the ability to blush.
We should be so modest that if someone saw too much of us, we would turn red
in the face. Most consider this an undesirable trait, but God likes it. Some of
Jeremiah’s neighbors’ blushing mechanism had malfunctioned and it made God
mad. “Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not
at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall .
. .” (Jer. 6:15; cf. 3:3; 8:12). Wearing a swimsuit in public ought to cause us to
blush. If it does not, we should examine our hearts to see if they are “seared
with a hot iron” (I Tim. 4:2). Modest clothes show a godly heart while immodest
clothes show an evil (or at least unconcerned) heart.
Each Christian is a walking billboard. Our words, deeds, and actions determine
what we advertise, and where emphasis is placed when others think of us. We
are to “abstain from all appearance of evil” (I Thess. 5:22) and must look at our
actions in light of the influence they may have on others (Matt. 5:13-16).
Whatever our friends think of us, is what they think of the church. If we are
modest, and dress in a way that glorifies God, then others will respect the
church. If we do not, we bring shame on Christ and his church. It is possible to
“crucify . . . the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame” (Heb. 6:6). None
of us wants to do this.
So, what about swimming? As long as we are out of the view of any of the
opposite sex (excluding family) it is permissible. The above Bible verses cannot
be obeyed while wearing swimsuits in public. If a swimsuit is acceptable in light
of I Tim. 2:9, then no attire would be unacceptable. Let’s ALL study, consider,
pray, and live so we will be judged faithful at the end. May all Christians live
“soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world” (Titus 2:12).
—via STANDING IN THE GAP, June 9, 1996