Nakedness
By Glendol McClure

Many of the world, and even some of my brethren, view nakedness or nudity as “stark nakedness” (without any clothes on at all). You have heard of nudist camps, where people prance around without a stitch of clothing on. Likewise, you have heard of “nude beaches” (the beaches aren’t nude), where the beach goers are without any clothing. Is total nakedness or nudity the true definition of nakedness? What is nakedness?

We would be wise to go to the Bible for our answer to this question. The Psalmist David wrote, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night” (Psa. 1:1, 2). Therefore, to be wise, we must seek the wise counsel of Bible principles and teaching.

Without a doubt, we are in the summer season and the attire of many is scant, to put it mildly. Even though these we refer to are not “stark naked,” are they naked? Many would say NO! Let’s see!

In the beginning, after Adam and Eve sinned by eating of the forbidden fruit, “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings” (Gen. 3:7–NASB). Evidently, the “loin coverings” made by Adam and Eve were not adequate clothing in the eyes of God because, according to Genesis 3:21, the text says, “And the LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them.” These “garments” or “coats” (KJV) were “generally with sleeves, coming down to the knees” (Gesenius’ Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon, p. 420). Hence an important principle of truth was established in the beginning by God, that all mankind, especially Christians, need to heed!

Further, in Genesis 20:26, God commanded saying, “Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.” If we go to Genesis 28:42, we see that God commanded Aaron and his sons (priests) saying, “And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness (‘their bare flesh’ –NASB); from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach.” Hence, exposure of the “bare flesh” of the thighs was called nakedness by God. Those who wear miniskirts, short skirts, swimming attire, shorts, cheerleader uniforms and the like, expose the “bare flesh” of their thighs. Therefore, those who wear clothing which exposes the “bare flesh” of the thighs are naked in the eyes of God! Some may say, “the shorts I wear don’t expose my thighs or the dress I wear comes down to my knees.” Remember the poem on the front page of this issue? Where do your shorts or dress come when you are sitting down with your legs crossed? Is any portion of your thighs above the knee exposed? If so then, your nakedness (“bare flesh”) is in view of all that are present.

The Bible teaches that women are to “adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments” (1 Tim. 2:9) NASB. Likewise, this principle would apply to men, even though men are not mentioned. Paul instructed Titus saying, “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience” (Titus 2:1, 2). Is a man “sober, grave, temperate and sound in faith” when he wears shorts that expose his thighs or goes without a shirt before women?

Nakedness refers to nudity and it also refers to inadequate clothing. James spoke of the brother or sister who was “naked, and destitute of daily food.” Naked here would include nudity but likely refers to inadequate clothing. Vine says, “(b) scantly or poorly clad, Matt. 25:36, 38, 43, 44; Acts 19:16 (with torn garments); James 2:15” (Vine, Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, p. 781).

The apostle Paul wrote, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Rom 12:1, 2). Paul, here, did not mean to put our bodies on display!

You see, the Bible definition of nakedness does not mean only nudity; it includes inadequate clothing, which we have mentioned. Think on these things! 

Long Shorts
By Morris Hafley

The term long-shorts seems a contradiction to me,
Kinda like having fried iced tea.
People wear them, they say, to keep cool,
But disobeying God makes one a fool.
 
Some tell me they’re more comfortable and they fit,
The problem is not while standing, but when you sit.
The words “decent” and “modest” don’t come to mind,
And to warn them, we are told, is so unkind.
 
People across the room see how high they go,
Shall we take a Polaroid and let you see the leg show?
Perhaps we should be more concerned about the Lord,
Before we go around being conformed to the world.
 
Is it really the teenager’s fault when allowed by mom and dad,
As they walk around dressed like the world, that’s so sad.
When we allow this in youth we are setting a trend,
One that will continue generations without end.
 
How ‘bout the husband who lets his wife do the same,
When this old world with sex has gone insane?
Do they not love their family and the Father above?
To tell his wife and Children “No,” that’s tough love.
 
“We are losing the battle” it has been said,
But we won’t quit fighting till we are dead.
Let your family know you’re not ashamed to blush,
As toward judgment and eternity we rush.
 
May God help us to continue to speak out,
Against anything that contributes to the drought.
Of preaching kindly and boldly as we ought to teach,
As toward our heavenly home we earnestly reach.