Now that it’s officially spring, we all know we’re thinking about warmer weather. And with that, one of the things we think about is clothes, and yes, a bathing suit. Now there seem to be two camps on this bathing suit issue: one camp wants to avoid being seen as much as possible, the other camp wants to be seen as much as possible. I’m going to stick my toes in the water on this one (pun intended) and say that neither is a true Christian response.
If a lady has accepted Christ in saving faith, she has entered into God’s Kingdom and now is a Princess and there is no need to prove your worth to anyone, especially any detractors.
“Now if we are children [of God], then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.”
(Romans 8:17a New International Version [NIV]
Since we recognize that we are princesses, there is no need to feel embarrassed, and certainly not humiliated, because somehow you do not “come up” to the air-brushed model of physical appearance. But there is also a responsibility that comes with royalty. Just as those in a royal family must often follow stringent decorum as part of their position, we, too, as God’s princess need to adhere to a standard.
“You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
(1 Corinthians 6:20 NIV)
We read in the Bible that for some people:
“Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach and their glory is their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.”
(Philippians 3:19 NIV)
While gluttony may come to mind with this verse, looking at it in another way, it’s talking about how a person’s focus can be on something that is not conducive to their spiritual health. Some women are so intent on their physical appearance that they spend inordinate amounts of time to get to their perceived perfection. Unfortunately, they are probably either chronically disappointed that they never attain what they want, or they give self-glory for their success. Neither is a way of bringing glory to God because it is taking the attention away from God and shining it on yourself.
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
(1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV)
Now I’m going to become really fanatical here and say: No woman should wear a bikini! And the first retort will be that everyone wears a bikini. Well, not all ladies wear bikinis, and if you feel that you must wear a bikini in order to “fit in”, is this the proper incentive? Once again is this attitude one that seeks your own desires, or is it to bring glory to God?
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—jis good, pleasing and perfect will.”
(Romans 12:2 NIV)
It also cannot be argued that they are the best swimsuits for swimming since women’s swim teams do not wear bikinis. There is no excuse due to hygiene (except that a bikini increases exposure to dangerous UV rays), comfort, availability, or price that dictates the need to wear a bikini.
Another argument is that we have a responsibility to others who are looking at us. Men, and especially teenage boys, are wired differently than women. Seeing a woman in a scant bikini causes an instantaneous trigger to sexual thoughts in their minds, even if they do not want it to occur. Rosalind Jukic (rosilind@rosilindjukic.com) states it this way: “A man’s eyes are drawn to where the skin line and clothing line meet. If you do not want his eyes to go ‘there’, don’t put the skin/clothing line there”.
“But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
(Matthew 5:28 NIV)
Do you want to be a contributor to that sin?
“Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come.’”
(Luke 17:1 NIV)
“We must make up our minds not to do anything that will make another Christian sin.”
(Romans 14: 13b New Century Version)
We also need to be concerned about others. Surely you realize that the middle-aged man sitting on the beach, beer in hand, is also ogling you? Suppose you were his wife—how would you feel about that? Do we not have the responsibility to be aware of how this affects her state of mind and their relationship? Are we helping build the marriage up, or are we ever so slightly tearing it down? Another group also needs our consideration, that of those ladies who cannot and do not want to be minimally clothed. The reasons are varied such as scars, surgical alterations (mastectomy?), weight issues, or skin issues. We do not need to make them more self-conscious because of our dress. Now that we are in Christ, we must consciously take on our obligations.
“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.”
(2 Corinthians 5:20 NIV)
“As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’”
(1 Peter 1: 14-16 NIV)
Now, lest I come across as such a spoil-sport, let me give you some encouragement. First, I received a new catalog from Land’s End™ recently and I was blown away by the array of modest swim suit and coverup options that it contained. (And, no, I have no affiliation with the company other than owning a few items.) Further research has shown other companies also have modest swim suits at all price points. You have no excuse to wear a bikini! As with all aspects of Christian living, for both women as well as men, you must always live a life of intentionality to bring glory to God.
For my final argument against a bikini: If Jesus were to appear physically in front of us, would you be ashamed of the way you are dressed? If he were to present to me physically, I may wish I had on something a little nicer than the jogging suit I’m wearing, but I wouldn’t be ashamed. Can you say that honestly about wearing a bikini?
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.”
(1 Corinthians 6:19 NIV)
A book that is a classic, but speaks to the issues surrounding yielding to God’s will for your life, I suggest Passion and Purity by Elisabeth Elliot. Not all (or even most) issues that we deal with today are significantly different than in the past!
Lamp for my feet 