Victoria's Secret TV Fashion Show
I heard some Christian women condemning the Victoria's Secret TV Fashion Show, because it was the pathway to pornography, and ultimately perverted behavior. They explained how convicted rapists and pedifiles all began by looking at sexy pictures of women, which is why we should not let our husbands and sons watch this evil show.
On the surface, their arguments may sound good to other Christians, especially those who are easily persuaded by emotional arguments. However, I fear that the flaws in their reasoning and their wrong perspectives on nudity and sex are damaging to the Church and men. It is a shame that Christian men are not bold enough to stand up and confront these emotional, selfish arguments that distort the truth.
First, looking at a catalog of picture of a woman in lingerie does not make you a rapist or pedifile. Their arguments commit a common logical flaw in reasoning often referred to as the slippery slope. There are millions of people that have looked at pictures of women in their bras and underpants that have not turned into criminals.
Second, I cannot find one verse in the bible that condemns the actions of the models. I'm not saying it is right, but the bible does not condemn public nudity. Actually, in 2 Samuel 6:14 we learn that King David danced before the LORD in the streets of the city wearing only a linen ephod (under garment). Later on in the chapter, we learn that David's wife was upset that he exposed himself in the presence of other women. Her condemning words to her husband, resulted in her having no children (vs 23).
Third, these so called Christian women appear to be judging the models, their husbands, and the convicted felons. My bible says "Judge not, that you may not be judged" Matthew 7:1. How do these women know what is right and wrong? Who made them judge? They do not know the motives behind the models or people viewing the television show. Many years ago, I judged people similar to what these women were doing...and now I have learned the error of judging people. I should not judge the things that I do not know, and there are many things that I do not know because I am merely a human being.
I cannot condemn the Victoria's Secret TV Fashion Show just because some women paraded around in sexy clothing. Biblically, I can find no commandment that they violated. Likewise, I cannot condemn the men and women who watched the show, because I do not know what they were thinking or what is in their heart. I believe it is possible for some people to watch the show and not fall into sinful lust. However, I also believe that some people could fall into sinful lust by watching it...and for them, it would probably be wrong. My point is that what determines whether it is right or wrong is the individuals response (or potential response) to the show. It is a personal decision, and not something that we should judge.
posted by SAM @ 11:21 PM
6 comments
6 Comments:
is there is difference between judging and discernment? Aren't we called to discern what is right and wrong? Interesting blog.
There is a difference between judging another person and judging what is right or wrong for you as an individual. I believe Matthew 7:1 teaches that we are not to judge others. And if we do, I believe we will be judged by the same measure that we judge others.
Does it matter at all that I would feel awful if my husband wanted to watch Victoria's Secret models on TV?
I don't feel that I'm being judgemental because I wouldn't be condemming him...(I think it's the nature of men to be attracted to women's bodies)...I would feel that I wasn't good enough for him.
Why would you feel that you were not good enough for him? Why would you feel awful?
If a husband wants to go out to eat, would you feel that your cooking was not good enough for him? Would you feel awful that your husband wanted to go out to eat?
I believe if a wife fulfills her husband's every need and desire that she has nothing to feel awful or worried about. If you fully satisfy your husband in every way, then you should have no regrets, no worries, and no awful feelings. Perhaps the reason some wives are intimidated by other women is because they know they are not doing everything they should be doing to satisfy and fulfill their husbands needs and desires.
What about the verse in the bible Matt 5:29- So if your eye-even if it is a good eye-causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw itaway. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. I would feel pretty confident in saying that beautiful women dressed sexy in their bras and underwear with their cleavage popping out is going to provoke lustful thoughts. It happens on the beach! You can say what you want, but deep down sexy promotes lust.. I just recently signed up for a Victoria's secret card because I was in the store and I said "This makes me feel sexy for my husband!" I was tired of feeling like a stay at home frumpy mom of two toddlers. I just received my coupon book and when I opened it all the girls in the book brought about a sick feeling in my gut. My Husband and I have an amazing blessed marriage, filled with passion and unconditional love, but when I opened this booklet I realized soon the catalogs will be arriving and he would be able to look at these girls. I am in good shape.. and my husband makes me feel sexy when I have my frumpiest days. All I can say is I shouldn't feel insecure but these air brushed young woman looking perfect and sexy with looks on their faces that scream "I want to sleep with you" made me feel uneasy. I am pretty much a confident woman...I have days when I don't feel so hot in which I would think applies to most people. But this feeling I got about Victoria's Secret caught me off guard. I didn't expect to feel this way but I just might have to cancel my new "Angel" card..
I agree with what Jesus taught and what the bible tells us. The bible also tells us that we were created naked and not ashamed. Mark 7:15 tells us that we are not defiled by what goes into our body, rather by what comes out of our body. I am troubled by how many people believe that what goes into a man's eyes is going to defile him.
What is biblical lust? Is it respecting and admiring beauty? Is it simply a desire...because if lust is as easy as you say it is, then I wonder how many men and women have lusted over food at a nice restaurant? Are you going to stop eating out or going to buffets because you might lust for the food? I'm fairly certain that more men and women have given into the desires for food than their desires for sex. Do you honestly believe that your husband is going to lose control and seek out the woman in the ad because he must have her? Or is he going to look at her and think she is attractive, a beautiful creation of God and I wish my wife would wear what she is wearing? Maybe you should trust your husband more and ask him what he wants. Maybe he deserves a little more credit than you are willing to give him. I suspect that he loves you more than some sexy woman on a piece of paper and I seriously doubt that he will have the type of biblical lust that Jesus was talking about.
In your response, you mention a lot about "feelings" and how you feel. You are judging and making decisions based on how you feel, not based on facts and evidence. Feelings can be manipulated and they can change from day to day; so basing your spiritual life and decisions on your feelings is like building your house on shifting sand. Eve made a decision based her feelings and look where it got her. When you ignore the facts and start making decisions based on incomplete information and feelings, then you are in dangerous territory.
Why did you go into Victoria's Secret in the first place? How did your husband respond to what you bought? If it made you feel sexy for your husband and he enjoyed it, then why are you now turning against it? If it helped your marriage and made you feel better, why are you now calling it evil and a temptation? If you ask me, it sounds like you are being tempted to abandon things that helped your marriage and helped you feel better. I hope you read some of my other posts, because I think you could benefit by opening your mind to the idea that God created sex and gave us a great deal of freedom to enjoy it with our spouse! If God is the source of beauty then who do you think is behind the idea of covering up and hiding beauty? God created you in His image and He created you as a beautiful person, the question is what are you going to do with what God gave you? Are you going to destroy the beauty that God gave you, hide it and then feel bad about it? Are you going to feel jealous when you see other women with beauty that God gave them and covet their beauty? Instead of focusing on other women and judging your husband, maybe you should focus on the beauty that God gave you and use that please your husband. Why worry about other women? Who is the source of worry, jealousy and guilt? Why are you relying on feelings that potentially have their source somewhere other than God? Think about it, pray about it and talk to your husband about it.
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