SHOULD A CHRISTIAN LADY EXPOSE HER THIGH IN TODAY’S PERMISSIVE CULTURE?

I tried to recompose my words several times before I posted this, so please bear with me as I can no
longer stifle my concerns and grief, and felt compelled to write this.

You see, now that the summer weather is upon us, I could not help but notice how many nice
Christian ladies are starting to wear more revealing skirts and shorts, and in particular, those that
expose their thighs. Perhaps they are thinking it's OK because it's cute, sexy, popular, convenient and
seems to be approved. But feeling confident about their body image, they are unaware of the harm
they are causing many of their brethren and maybe even their church and pastor.

You see, Christ warned us men that "whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath
committed adultery with her already in his heart." (Matt 5:28) And we are advised to "Lust not after
her beauty in thine heart." (Pro 6:25)

This is because lust can more easily occur in the heart of man as he dwells too much on what he is
not supposed to see, for "every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and
enticed." (James 1:14) And as a surprise to many, according to the Bible, exposing the thigh is
considered nakedness.

Priests for example, were to “cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the THIGHS...” (Ex
28:42). In fact, exposing the thigh was so shameful that sometimes it was used as a punishment:
"make bare the leg, UNCOVER THE THIGH.. (so).. thy NAKEDNESS shall be uncovered, yea, thy SHAME
shall be seen.." (Isa 47:2-3) "Wherefore Hanun took David's servants, and.. cut off their garments in
the middle, even to their buttocks (EXPOSING THEIR THIGHS) and sent them away. When they told it
unto David, he sent to meet them, because the men were GREATLY ASHAMED." (2 Sam 10:4-10)

Now lest you are thinking that these examples only apply to men, please let me add:

"In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel.” (1 Tim 2:9) “The nakedness
of thy sister, the daughter of thy mother. . . thou shalt not uncover." (Lev 18:9) "Can. . . forget. . . a
bride her attire?" (Jer 2:32)

From “Your Skirt’s Too Short! How to Avoid Dressing Provocatively for Work” we read: “Short skirts
draw attention to your legs. If you sit down when wearing a short skirt, you expose even more leg. Is
that where you want people to look? The general guideline is that skirts should be no higher than the
top, or slightly above the top, of your knees.” And of course, from conservative Islam we read "cover
your thighs, for they are part of the 'aurah." (intimate parts) - from Hadith (the compiled writings of
Muhammad).
Now when a lady exposes her fleshly thigh in public or on Facebook, it may have little effect on a
desensitized man who sees it all the time. But for the godly man who has protected his eyes (Prov
22:3), it is different. He is not accustomed to seeing what is forbidden and will try to divert his eyes
(like a little child who sees nudity). And he will do this out of respect for you, for your husband if you
are married, and for his own wife if he is married. And he will also do it to keep his thought-life pure.
But sadly, some may lose this struggle, and intentionally look and dwell upon what they should not
see. In a 2019 survey of more than 12,000 men who were 45 years of age, it was found that only one
in twenty reported of having low libido. (web md)

So ladies, the next time you go to the store to purchase clothes for yourself or for your teen
daughter, or when you dress yourself in front of the mirror, before going out in public, please
consider the affect it may have on godly men, or if it will "make my brother to offend." (1 Cor 8:13)
Then as a virtuous Christian yourself, do your part to help godly men keep their thought-life pure by
wearing what is more modest. And for wives, please reserve your flesh for your husband's eyes only -
and not for the potential lust of other men. Just because everyone else is doing it does not mean it's
right, for Paul explained "All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient" (1 Cor 6:12).

So while it may be popular in today’s permissible society to wear shorts or skirts that expose your
thigh, and while you may be laughed at for being "old fashioned," as a Christian try to remember
that you are to "glorify God in your body" (1 Cor 6:19-20), are to be "separate" (2 Cor 6:17), "a
peculiar people" (1 Pet 2:9), and are to "love not the world" (1 John 2:15-16), which means its
trends, patterns, fashions and philosophy.

Having a hard time applying this? One reason could be is that you have not yet researched the Bible
to form your own personal convictions - for YOU must be persuaded in YOUR OWN mind (Rom 14:5).
Like Daniel who refused to eat the king’s meat (Dan 1:8), or Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who
refused to bow down to the graven image of King Nebuchadnezzar (Dan 3:13-18), biblical convictions
do not change because of pressure, circumstance, location, unpopularity or punishment. And this is
why some may wear a long dress in church (in order to comply with the expectations of their pastor)
but dress differently in the world. And like the King who paraded his "invisible clothes" everyone
notices that something is wrong but no one will dare say it for fear of reprisal.

So please, can you THINK about what I have written, and not get angry with me? For God desires
"that women adorn themselves in MODEST apparel" (1 Tim 2:9) – which can mean “decent,
respectable, and appropriate.” And by choosing NOT to become a "stumblingblock to them that are
weak" (1 Cor 8:9), you can help "lead us not into temptation' (Luke 11:4).

"For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not
grievous." (1 John 5:3)
Thanks, and may God enlighten and guide you in this issue.