TV Shows Featuring Nudity Highlight Culture’s Crisis of Truth
Bare the Truth
1. Married couples in the privacy of their bedrooms and babies aside, public nudity is not a beautiful, natural, “back to nature,” liberating experience.
Cultural offerings presenting a naturist philosophy of shedding one’s clothes and parading around in the buff is contrary to God’s standards just like the texting of nude photos. It dishonors the Holy One by pretending to recapture an innocence and purity gone since the Genesis account of the fall of Man.
In the Garden of Eden, before sin entered into the world, the man and his wife were both naked (The Hebrew word in Genesis 2:25 speaks of partial covering—covered by God’s glory). After they sinned, they immediately and instinctively felt ashamed and covered up (Gen. 3:7). They tried fig leaves but God gave them something more adequate and modest.
Modesty is a positive principle emphasizing inner beauty and character over outward vanity and cheapness.”I want women to dress with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly” (1 Tim. 2:9). This applies equally to men! Walking around naked or in skimpy bikinis, micro-minis, sexy Speedos, cleavage-baring tops, “sprayed-on” leggings (with no discreet covering) or low-rise, undergarment/coin-slot displaying pants are all part of the “undressing of America.”
Ask yourself: Are you reflecting Christ-likeness or cultural conformity? If you are an authentic Christian and truly a disciple of Jesus Christ, then you voluntarily submit to God’s will for every area of your life to experience “righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 14:17).
2. Scripture is not silent when it comes to the subject of nakedness.
Hollywood today is rolling out a truckload of soft-porn reality shows. The truth be known, they encourage irresponsible and dangerous conduct at a time when STDs are astronomical and co-eds on campus now have a one-in-four chance of being raped.
In the theaters at present is a raunchy “comedy” starring Cameron Diaz called Sex Tape. Reading a porn manual, she and her lover record themselves in all kinds of nude gyrations but then have to scramble as the recording goes public.
Her co-star is Jason Segel, whom your children may recall as the lovable character in the Muppet movie. He also starred in a film where he answered the door for his girlfriend displaying full frontal nudity on the screen for an extended period with no pixilation.
Does it really matter? It’s no big deal. Seen one, seen ’em all, right?
Wrong, when you have a biblical worldview.
God gave specific guidelines and standards in both the Old and New Testaments regarding proper covering of our bodies.
Survey just some of what He explicitly states:
• 1 Timothy 2:9 is a directive, not an elective, to dress “modestly” (Having a regard for decency of behavior or dress; not displaying one’s body) and “discreetly” (Lacking ostentation; showing good judgment).
• 1 Corinthians 12:22 states, “The parts that are not presentable are treated with special modesty.” This is why we naturally feel self-conscious about body parts revealed; fold arms under breasts; clasp hands in front of our lower anatomy when standing before a group. God designed us this way, and we’re most comfortable when aligned with His plan. It also explains why those involved in pornography use drugs to lower inhibitions, or contestants on these shows occasionally cover up not just to stay warm but as one female stated on Naked and Afraid, “I just feel more comfortable when covered up!”
• Luke 8:26-36 gives the account of a man possessed of multiple demons who went about naked until he experienced deliverance and then was fully clothed and in his right mind.
• Acts 19:14-16 tells the story of a demon-possessed man who overpowered seven other men and stripped them, forcing them out of the house naked.
• Isaiah 47:1-15 recounts God’s judgment on Babylon consisting of “nakedness uncovered and your disgrace shall be seen.”
• Exodus 20:26 cautions about ascending steps and exposing one’s nakedness.
• For those who believe that there is nothing wrong with nudity among family members, Leviticus 18:6-23 gives strong prohibitions about approaching family and relatives unclothed.
• One of the towering figures of the entire Bible, King David, ruined his life and testimony after viewing a woman naked that led to adultery, murder and horrible family disruption.
