You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.

Monday March 11, 2013

You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.

1 Peter 3:4, NLT

Perhaps the most obvious lasting result of the Thomas-Hill hearings and other high profile cases has been the discussion of sexual harassment in the workplace, specifically men sexually harassing women. I'm sure that most people already understood that unwanted touching, outright propositioning, and demands for sexual favors in exchange for promotions would be "harassment." What millions of Americans continue to learn, however, is that suggestive talk, dirty jokes, asking for dates, and even lustful looks also fall into that category. When men act surprised at that, they are told in no uncertain terms, "You just don’t get it!" In other words, because they are men in a male-oriented society, they just don't understand how it feels to be victimized, used, and seen as an object or piece of meat. I agree--certainly no man can truly understand what it means to be a woman, at the mercy of lustful and lecherous superiors, especially in this sex-saturated society. But I would hasten to say to women, "You, also, just don't get it!"--that is, you don't understand what it means to be a man. I worked for many years with high school students, and as part of our program we would often have seminars on sex and dating. Time and time again I would explain to girls what goes through the head of a typical male when he sees a beautiful, well-built female in revealing clothes. Invariably these girls would look at me, listen, and nod knowingly . . . and then continue to dress in skimpy outfits and wear their bikinis. They just didn't get it. The fact is that men are turned on by what they see or what they think they see. That's why the porn magazines do such a booming business. Add to this natural bent a society saturated with television shows and movies featuring bed-hopping bimbos and sexual conquests, lewd-talking disc jockeys, suggestive lyrics of popular songs, and loud proponents of sexual expression and you have a recipe for disaster. I'm not saying that women are at fault because of the way they dress and act around men. The offending man is wrong and should be held responsible for his actions. If I leave my keys in my car and the car is stolen, that's still grand theft auto. If I leave a $50 bill unattended on my car seat with the window down, and the money is taken, that's still stealing. But everyone would agree that leaving keys in the car and cash on the seat is foolish or stupid. That's the way I feel about the actions of many women today. Where's the womanly wisdom? By letting fashion designers dictate what they wear and disregarding human nature of the male variety, they open themselves up to all sorts of problems. They just don't get it. Men do need to recognize and control their impulses. And women would be wise to say no to suggestive fashions. We can all say no to sexually explicit music and media. We can say yes to treating each other with understanding, concern, and respect. (see scripture below) 1 Peter 3 4 You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.5 This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They trusted God and accepted the authority of their husbands.6 For instance, Sarah obeyed her husband, Abraham, and called him her master. You are her daughters when you do what is right without fear of what your husbands might do. Husbands 7 In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God's gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered. All Christians 8 Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters.* Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.9 Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it.10 For the Scriptures say, "If you want to enjoy life   and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil   and your lips from telling lies. 11 Turn away from evil and do good.   Search for peace, and work to maintain it. 12 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right,   and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face   against those who do evil."* Suffering for Doing Good 13 Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good?14 But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don't worry or be afraid of their threats.15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.16 But do this in a gentle and respectful way.* Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.17 Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!   18 Christ suffered* for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.*   19 So he went and preached to the spirits in prison—20 those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood.*21 And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from* a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.   22 Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority.