It is awesome that Bryant is not afraid to speak out on things like this - some preachers would pretend they aren't seeing what they are seeing! It is so crucial in today's world that girls/women show respect for themselves in the way they dress - one thing I ask myself is - what are the parents thinking when they allow it? Even little tiny girls who are dressed by their parents are starting to look this way. I agree with Bryant 100% on this issue - as a teacher at JFBC I have had friends who have even commented on this when they have visited. When they have made comments, all I have to say back to them is "I agree". I'm hoping everyone will take this message seriously and take action! Hopefully the "grown-up" ladies in our church will lead by example - I have also been shocked by the way some of them dress "showing" cleavage, etc. Thanks for your message, Bryant! Great verse chosen to bring home the point too! You are indeed a good and faithful servant.

Hooray Bryant,
I am glad that I am not the only one who thinks this way. I must admit, most of us men are pigs but even pigs have eyes. I have to constantly turn my head when some women and young ladies walk up to me either at churchs or out in public to keep from looking at bare skin where I have no buisness looking. I know some of you will say well Jerry you shouldn't be looking, well that is how God wired men to be. He gave us a desire for the fairer sex. I still don't understand the homosexual's God didn't design them that way, I don't care what you say, read the Bible. But on the subject of the devotion today, if I walk into a department store and they have a display set up and they have their best goods on display I and everyone else is inclined to look at the display. The problem today is people will display their goods and then want to cry foul when a man does look. When I used to build houses I had a sawman who worked for me who would say "if God made women any better than he did, he would have kept them in heaven with him."
Women I say, if you advertise your goods, then don't complain when someone check out the goods. Cover up and we won't have this problem. My wife is a beautiful woman and I thank God she knows how to dress like a lady.
Everyone have a blessed day.

I was just talking with a friend about this who is a teacher.I am appalled at what teenage girls wear. The dress code at high schools seen more concerned about girls not having spagetti straps showing. What about all the cleavage? My poor 15 year old son!

Why is a Christian article entitled "Help for All Us Wicked Men" asking for help from young girls? Are you not accountable and responsible Christian men? Or are you so caught up in the lust of the world that you have to beg for help from young women? The Bible says "that anyone who (even) looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matt 5:28). This, I assure you, would put the help for all wicked men into the hands and responsibility of the MEN, not the girls. Women have been dressing provocatively for centuries, and when men gawk at and lust after women it is still a violation of the 7th commandment, and God’s laws are each Christian “individual's” responsibility to uphold (male or female). And remember that Mathew says to even look upon another with lust is "adultery" of the heart. So a word of caution for the wicked men, or wicked women, of the world…on Judgment Day, God will only charge you for your sins, not another's, no matter what they were wearing. And if you don't believe in Judgment Day or God's Laws then you should deeply question your Christianity. But for now, the decision to fall or not to fall is only on your shoulders, and if you are truly men, and deserving of the titles of strength, honor, and moral examples for the rest of society, then dare yourselves to stop defaulting to weakness and pointing fingers of blame at the women…prepare yourselves appropriately for the battle that is in front of you. Avert your eyes or do “whatever” you have to—to serve God’s Law, instead of falling for the world's lies that you are helpless to sin. For it simply is not true. God bless you all. David

Amen, Bryant. I have seen teenage girls in our church (Bryant's church) dressing provocatively, and I give them less of the benefit of the doubt, because I do think they know that exactly what they're doing. They know they are making boy's and men's heads turn. Bryant has boldly called them out (and their parents) in church at times, and asked them not to dress like harlots. I'm talking low-riding jeans, bare midriffs, and a thong showing out the back. David, you must be a more mature Christian man than I am. That's great for you, but we're all not there yet. I know that it's my sin, but I still find it difficult not to have lustful thoughts. A little help, especially from Christian girls (or the parents of those girls), would be appreciated.

Thank you David for placing the blame for this issue where it belongs. Teenage girls are not the ones who designed this clothing, marketed this clothing, or who have profited from it.

This point is so true and Ricky you are right on. I would also argue that any man that thinks he is out of the reach of temptation of sin needs to really be on guard. This message needs to be preached strongly from the pulpit and from youth pastors. Unfortunately, I have been to JFBC on many occasions and am so surprised at the amount of mini-skirts and tight fitting clothing that is being worn. If we as Christians are called to be set apart from the world, why do we dress like the world? There seems to be only two answers to this question: either we are still of the world and are not truly born-again or we are not truly honoring God with our bodies, not properly glorifying Him for the High and Holy God that He is. In talking this topic over with my wife, my wife would strongly state that the young women and girls do indeed know the effect they have with the use of provocative dress. We need to teach our youth that God is Holy and we please Him by obeying and not provoking others into sin.

If you are having lustful thoughts in church, then most likely you are in the practice of having lustful thoughts. Perhaps you should take a closer look at your life. Are you actively looking at pornography, watching solicitous television, reading magazines that expose women's flesh in swimsuits or otherwise? The Pastor at my church helps arm us for battle; men can rely on God's strength and Jesus' example, and helps us to uncover our armor in Christ to prevent lust and temptation. Why would Bryant ask the little girls in your church to do a man's job? Why would you count on them for your salvation from lust and not Jesus? Grow up boys. We learned in the Bible that we can not control the world, only ourselves. Turn off your televisions and get off the internet when your family isn't around. Place monitors on all your web activity so that your wife can be confident in her husband, and you can be proud of who you are. Stop staring and lusting after women dressed scantily. Avert your eyes and rebuke those thoughts. Eventually, THIS will become your habit and lusting in church will seem an impossible idea. And stop telling other men that it's the women's fault. Start supporting each other as men of God and not men of weakness. Our women deserve better than this and the whole world is watching us! Rely on God and not someone else's judgment about whether to wear a short skirt or not...lest you are destined to fall for every short skirt? Ask yourselves...Are you really covered in Christ?

As a woman I feel I need to say this. Yes, a man has to learn to control his thoughts but a girl or woman should not be a stubling block for men. Remember, Jesus said that we are not to be a stubling bloock for other Christians. Doesn't this apply to the way young girls and women dress?

One more important thing brothers and sisters...we must remember that God said when we have Jesus in our hearts we are dead to sin. "Count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Romans 6:11).

Also, "When you were dead in your sins and in...your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins" (Col 2:13).

If you continue to lust and do not believe that you can turn away from sin, that you are dead to sin and made new in Christ, then you are calling God a liar and do not know him.

And scripture says that God can not lie and does not lie. "Thou art that God, and thy words be true" (2 Samuel 7:28).

Also, "In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began" (Titus 1:2) and "It was impossible for God to lie" (Hebrews 6:18).

When you Pastor mentioned "Help For All Us Wicked Men," he mistakenly called upon the lost, poorly dresses females to save us -- and not God.

This kind of leadership will only lead to false conversion, and all who follow this flawed guidance risk knowing and acting on the truth of God -- that sets us free from sin.

David

Brother David,

Your points our good. I would also quess that if in your Church your pastor is preaching as you have stated, there is also most likely not a large number of women in provocative clothing. However, you still avoid the topic of a Christian leading another Christian into sin. If King David was a man after Gods own heart and he fell, why are we safer from that same temptation? We must always put on the full armor of God. On the TV, the internet and other areas of the world, one would expect to see this type of clothing and issues. However, in a Christian Church full of truly “covered” Christians one, would hope that there would not be this type of environment. Again, I think the point is that we should be able to set our shield down during worship in Church in order to lift our hands to praise God. Since this issue does indeed exist, I think the point is that as a Church we also must make sure we don’t look like the world, in worship and outside of the Church. Would we argue that it is okay for short skirts and tight clothing in God’s House as we worship together our Holy God?

David, please don't fool your self. You are not above falling, great men of the Bible did. David was a man after Gods own heart and he fell into sin. It is good to teach that men can overcome temptation but to teach that any man including you or I will never let our guard down is dangerous for any Pastor to teach his people that includes your Pastor or myself. With God, all things are possible but with men all things are probable. I am not trying to be disrespectful but you sir seem to be disrespectful and mean spirited. I have found that over the many years of being in the Ministry when a person comes across with a holier than thou attitude, somewheres they have been mislead or improperly trained. Remember the words in the Bible, "lest thou fall." Brother I hope you don't fall, but please don't fool yourself, Christ was the only one that was above temptation. I say this with Christian love, the right one has not walked by you, and when she does you will look and then remember the words you posted here. But hey Christ forgives.

Perhaps the problem here is that the article is titled "Help for All Us Wicked Men." It is not titled women and girls dressing improperly? Proper dress for women and girls is an entirely different subject from the wickedness of men and Christians should not conflate one with the other. Yes, women should be responsible and not dress revealing yet modest. Yet, we live in a world full of people who don't know God and/or are misled and dress very revealing. But the strength of men should NOT depend upon or seek shelter in a woman's decision on what to wear? Isn't this the mistake that Adam made by relying on Eve...a woman's judgment and not God's? Let this be a lesson for all men. Go back to Genesis and decide for yourselves. Do you want to repeat Adam's mistake? CHOOSE for yourselves. Follow a woman's lead and you know where that ends up. And Both Adam and Eve were punished individually. So DO NOT rely on women dressing appropriately for help! We all know where that ends up. Also, do not rely on another man's poor judgment, who is guiding you to rely on a woman's choice to avoid sin!

Judy, I agree with you. I question the point when I see women, young or old, in church showing lots of cleavage. It’s not appropriate. This is not appropriate in the business world, so why would it be appropriate in church? We don’t have to dress like this to get attention. My question is do we want the kind of attention this will draw. When we dress like this, what does it say about us as women? Does it show insecurity? Women can dress very stylishly without baring all to the world.

Meg,
You are correct. There really are two issues: young women dressing like the world and men falling into sin. They are connected, however, as they are occurring in this church and many others. As it has already been noted above, neither men nor women are free from temptation and fall into sin. The assumption that men are not relying on God also seems to be an unfair point as many men have a strong, true, pure desire to serve and honor God but still fight with their old selves. This is a true honest Christian walk.
The non-Christian is still living in lust and enjoying it. A Christian man is in a battle and uses God’s word to fight the war. Me, not being a member of Pastor Bryant’s chuch but have attended, understand the issue with the women and their dress and how this is connected to tempting men. It also occurs at 99% of the Christian churches that I have attended.
Is strong preaching of the word needed, yes! Does strong preaching of the word strengthen us, yes! Does preaching of the word convict us of our sins, leading us to repentance, yes! Thus, preaching of the world will address both issues. It will strengthen men from temptation and lead young women to re-evaluate their dress to ensure that it is God honoring.

Christian Brothers, I have never heard so many people defend "men" in the Bible instead of God, but if you insist.

Mike states: "I think the point is that we should be able to set our shield down during worship in Church in order to lift our hands to praise God."

My response: We are never to put down our armor, not even in church. A church is really just another building; your faith should not improve or be depleted by stepping inside. And God does not suggest or state anywhere in the Bible to set down your armor; in fact, he warns us to be covered in it--even during prayer. See Ephesians 6:10-18.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."

Jerry states: "You are not above falling, great men of the Bible did. David was a man after Gods own heart and he fell into sin."

My response: I never said I was above falling; what I did say was that I was prepared for the battle, so I wouldn't fall into sin.

And yes, David was "after God's own heart," meaning that he seeked after God, he sought after God, he desired to be close to him. Many Christians mistake this phrase to mean something else for some reason? But the Greek text makes it clear that David chased after God, he followed him, and looked for him; he desired to know God; David was seeking after God's very own heart. (Please look this up and research the Biblical meaning.)

Jerry also states: "With God, all things are possible but with men all things are probable."

My response: If I were going to rely on the strength of men instead of God, then I couldn't call myself a Christian. In my opinion, all things are probable with God and possible with men. Men can change their wicked ways if they want to and God will probably judge them regardless.

Jerry also states: "I am not trying to be disrespectful but you sir seem to be disrespectful and mean spirited. I have found that over the many years of being in the Ministry when a person comes across with a holier than thou attitude, somewheres they have been mislead or improperly trained."

My response: If the Holy Spirit is mean spirited to you, then that is something for you to consider. Since I am the only one quoting scripture here, I will assume the Bible is adequate training, and as a Christian, that I have not been misled by it. I am sincerely sorry if I have offended you. My intention is not to be mean, but to save souls, and most people do not like hearing God's truth because it does not suit their desires.

God bless you,

David

Hi Mike! Thanks for your comment. I just don't like the article or the title. It seems misdirected and lacking biblical wisdom. As a young woman, I am bombarded with the very same images that men are, and I am really tired of seeing other girls showing too much skin -- and I tell them! But if men are the leaders of our society, then why don't "men" do something about it? Why doesn't Pastor Bryant set a dress code for his church as the church's leader? Wouldn't this make a lasting impression upon his entire flock? And why aren't more Christian men defending women, instead of spending so much time consumed with sexual immorality. Who are the leaders of our communities? Who is the head of the family and raising up boys to be men? Who is passing this eschewed sexual identity onto the next generation? I would like to understand why being a man is so great -- if men have no control over themselves?

Thanks,

Meg

David
Please do share with me the name of your church! I truly want to be surrounded by men who are stronger in faith so that I can learn from them. I also want to worship in a church were all the women are dressed to honor God and not provide temptation. I want to be able fight back each and every sin, and never stumble, ever.
David, God’s word is all fulfilling. And since you know scripture, you know that my references were to Ephesians, 2 Samuel and 1 Corinthians.
Brother, I don’t know where your solution is in this issue. As I asked before, do we want to worship in a Church that looks like it is full of worldly promiscuity while we just sit in our pew on Sunday and worship, blind to that which is around us?

My Brother Mike,

You state: "As I asked before, do we want to worship in a Church that looks like it is full of worldly promiscuity while we just sit in our pew on Sunday and worship, blind to that which is around us?"

My response: Why should being at church present any deeper struggle than the one that already exists in the world? Do we not also worship God, outside of church, surrounded by a world full of sin? Scripture warns us and prepares us for battle, and God promises to provide all believers with a way out, even when we are in church. See 1 Cor 10:13. "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."

What I have been appealing to the men that have read this blog is that we need to "stand up" to the challenge of lust. God says that we can win, and He commands us to. Yes, Images of women in little or no clothing are pervasive and surround us everywhere we go...the grocery store magazine rack, work, school, the movies, television, the internet, and even church.

But we need not to pass the accountability of our hearts, our thoughts, and our actions onto a girl in a low cut shirt. God will judge each of us according to "our individual" sins, not by another's -- we can not make the cause pay the price for the action, or the short skirt pay the price for our lust. We only reap what "we" sew. And if we take the image of a short skirt and turn it into something sexually perverse in our heads, this is our sin alone.

See Ezekiel 18:30 "I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall."

It should be our decision as men to turn away from sin, whether we are in church or at the beach surrounded by bikinis.

If we are truly converted and made new in Christ, then we carry the Holy Spirit within us. When King David fell, he did not have the privilege or power of the Holy Spirit, but we do! We are granted the powers of the Holy Spirit to resist temptation and command the devil to flee, just as Jesus did in the Bible. If we have faith, then we can overcome any temptation.

Also "faithing" in the Greek is an action verb, not just a sitting and believing type of thing. So we have to act, stand up to sin and never stop, no matter where we are -- because the devil is a tireless deceiver and thief. And because when men say that they are “victim” of provocative clothing that insights lust in their hearts, it is a lie. We make the designs in our minds, and we decide how far to allow our thoughts to travel in a sexual manner.

For all the times we fall for the devil's lies, if we could just believe God for once.

God doesn't lie! The devil does!

Trust in Him and true righteousness can be revealed in your life. Also, acknowledging God's Love without His Laws is NOT believing in ALL of God. God would not be a loving parent if He were not also a just judge.

God bless,

David

David, this is not a forum to see who can quote the most scriptures, nor is it a forum to try to show who is the most equipped. I would love the chance to sit down and discuss the scriptures with you somewheres other than on this site which does not belong to you or I. I can assure you that you will not win every soul you speak to with a I am above sinning attitude. My comment to you was not to make you mad or make you have to go on the defence but I see that it did. Christ rebuked in love and it worked, Paul also rebuked in love and I assure you he won more souls to the Lord than you or I ever will. You have completely taken the devotion out of its context and I am pretty sure that you and I can learn from Bryant if we will just sit still and listen to those who are better equipped to win the souls of those who are closest to hell. In your response you made the comment of "saving souls," I hope you are speaking of the Lord doing the saving. If you or I could save anyone they wouldn't stay saved very long. I hope you understand that we are supposed to be on the same side, we are to be winning souls not arguing because someone may missword a devotion or may have a different outlook than we do. I do hope you are as spiritually equipped as you say you are but I remember some Pastors in the 80's who thought they were also who found themselves being shown across every news station in the free world. Brother if I have offended you in myself I do apoligize but I hope you can take some constructive advice. To RFTH if I am out of line then please forgive me, but we have enough problems with unbelievers arguing on this site, let alone believers doing it.

Brother Jerry,

May God bless you. I assure you that I have not taken offense to anything you have said, nor have I knowingly entered into an argument with anyone on this site. I have participated in an open dialogue among fellow believers, and I do not think that I am any better than anyone else. While your tone is rather aggressive and argumentative, I also assure you that I don't believe that I am a savior of any sort. God commanded us to spread His Word so that He may do the saving; when I say I am trying to "save souls," I am merely stating the ultimate end that I can only hope for -- after discussing and sharing God's word with others. I also never said that I was above sinning; it may do you service to use quotes when you are speaking for others so that you don't mislead or misrepresent the truth.

Also, I get the impression that you are not comfortable with the Law (Ten Commandments)?

You stated "Christ rebuked in love and it worked, Paul also rebuked in love."

Christ stated in Matthew 5:17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven."

Also Paul stated in Galatians 3:24, "So the law was put in charge of us to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith."

You also state "I do hope you are as spiritually equipped as you say you are..."

I can say, Yes! I am filled with the Holy Spirit, and Jesus Christ is my Savior. Do I need any other equipment? :)

Blessings,

David

It's time for women to stand up with their brothers in Christ and wear appropriate clothing. It is possible to look cute and wear things that cover your body. We as women need to realize that if we cause another man to stumble because of what we are wearing, we are too are sinning. Just be careful with what you wear ladies. I'm 19, and there are a lot of pressures to look great and attract guys. But we know that God has the right man in mind for us, and if we allure the wrong types of guys because of how we are dressing we may never know what we missed out on.

Hey Stephanie,

I think that girls, like myself, don't EVER think we "want to have sex" when we wear a fashionable outfit, like Pastor Bryant says. Projecting these sort of sexual messages upon women is one of the difficulties I have with guys my age. It is a lie and has nothing to do with me. I can't hide my breasts under a t-shirt or my figure in jeans. I am a girl! If I wore prairie dresses everyday, I wouldn't have any friends? So until our elders and leaders actually set the standard that is acceptable by women and men, then we are forced to participate in the fashion trends to fit in, like every other decade. You should see some pictures of my mother in the 70's! And I KNOW she wasn't asking for sex with her short skirts because she was married to my dad; in fact, all of her married friends wore the same short skirts!

There is something misleading here and I think this message has sexist undertones.

Set a standard for your church and stop saying that girls are asking for sex when they are not. That follows the same line of thought that a girl is "asking for it" when she is raped, etc. I am really surprised by the lack of leadership and wisdom here? There has to be a better way to address this issue other than victimizing and criminalizing the girls?

And isn't there a point of maturity that should be reached here? Men and women are designed to mate; we are going to be attracted to each other. God blesses a marriage so that we can have a partner. Shouldn't the men stop looking if they have a wife?

Wow! When I saw this devotional this morning, I never thought it would engender so much commentary.

I thought Bryant's point was quite simple. Women who dress provacatively are sending a message. I happen to believe that they know exactly what they are doing. Self-pride and self-centeredness are at the heart of our sinful nature. Men are equally capable of this "peacock syndrome".

From my perspective, the most startlingly attractive people don't have to flaunt it, any more than truly wise people have to go around correcting others.

Nonetheless, the direction of sexuallity in our culture is pretty obvious. Reminds me of the moral decay that rotted away the Roman Empire. The moral fiber of our world is certainly not encouraging.

Well, I am sure glad that Jesus saw the importance of correcting people. BTW, aren't we supposed to be living by His example? I wish everyone were as honest and up front as David. Why does everyone hide the truth behind political correctness?

I agree that this blog is simply a wolf in sheep's clothing.

And this issue wasn't about whether one "had to flaunt it or not;" it was about men needing help for their wickedness. I suppose grasping at straws for a scapegoat was the solution proposed? I say when men become accountable for their own sin, we will see the world change into a better place. But the Bible says that won't happen, so have your empire. It is has been destined for doom since day one.

"The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that,they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding..." Mark 4:10-12

Only a few will ever really understand.

Meg, I totally see where you are coming from, but the truth is a lot of girls don't realize what they are saying by how they dress. There are ways to be fashionable and cute without showing things that are inappropriate. Sure none of us can hide our curves under jeans and a t-shirt, but I do not think that's what Bryant is saying here. He is simply calling us to look out for our fellow Christian brothers. Men are visually wired, and if we can perhaps help by not showing as much skin or cleavage so that they may not stumble, is that not better than showing everything we have and causing them to stumble?

Sure not every girl is asking for sex, but a lot of girls know exactly what they are doing when they are dressing provocatively. They crave attention and the type of attention they might get from that might be bad attention. It does not justify rape by any means, but we do need to realize that dressing modestly is good for us and good for men.

Also, I don't think men are the only ones who look at the opposite sex lustfully. Women do it too. Just because one is dating or married does not mean that attraction to the opposite sex goes away. Think about all of the celebrities that you find attractive, will you always find them attractive? Most likely. We are indeed created to mate, but we're also called to live like Christ, which means looking out for our fellow brothers and sisters and leading by example.

Thanks, Stephanie! You said that very well, and I like how you shared your opinion.

I do realize that when we are with someone, married or dating, that are bodies do not stop working biologically -- in how they respond to the presence of the opposite sex.

Yet, I do think that initial physical response should be the first warning to switch gears to the proper Christian, thought process. Lust takes the biological and makes it mental, and lustful thinking is like traveling beyond the typical into a thought-world that violates each other and Christ. Taking the thought that extra step, beyond the immediate biology, is what I think can be stopped with God's strength.

For extra convo...I actually no longer watch tv or movies that much...I remember well when I learned that lusting was bad. Since then I avoid certain traps, like tv, that flash sexual images on the screen constantly. I didn't think I would like it as much as I do, but the farther I get from the worldliness of it all, the closer I am to God. And I am more the "Meg" that God made me without the media's negative influences.

I suggest it for anyone struggling...and it's great for Christian men! :p

Thanks again!

Thanks Meg, I appreciate your opinion also.

Stephanie, I am not trying to get into your buisness but it is dangerous to post your personal email on any site like this. Not everyone is on here for the right reason. I did it one time and I was bombarded with things that I didn't want and a few viruses also.
Please be careful.

Beverly,
Where is the political correctness? I see openness from Christian men asking Godly women to not provoke men into sin. We are not talking about non-believers but those who profess to be Christian. The other side of the coin would be that it is totally okay for a Christian woman to wear a miniskirts and show cleavage in church. That point is that this is (1) not a God honoring way to dress and at the same time (2) can provoke men into sin.

Why is it such a hard thing to ask? Why is there resistance? This is a great application of biblical wisdom and nowhere at all negates the power of the Holy Spirit over sin in one’s life. As we pray for God to embolden us we ask our sisters to help us in our walk. Is that not one of the functions of fellowship and the gathering of the Saints on earth?

It seems so funny that we are on such opposite sides of this issue and that hints of “who is saved and who is” not are coming out of the language being used. The issue is sin and I can promise you that I can, if I wish, provoke others into sin. How is that being Christian when I know that I can do the opposite and help my brothers and sisters by praying for them and helping them in their walk.

I think these comments have gotten it right even if the original article missed the mark. The women and young girls are sinning because they are being a roadblock to other Christians. The men are sinning because they are lusting. I am appalled to have read an article by a Christian man claiming to have no control over what enters his mind. This is the kind of article I would read on a regular blog saying, 'sorry we are just men.' I have never accepted that excuse. It is bologna. Women could lust just as much as men, we choose not to. My mind wanders sometimes when I see an attractive male in tight jeans but I'm not going to ask the guy to quit wearing nice jeans because it makes my mind wander. I remind myself that is not Christian and I treat him like anyone else I would come across.

A - "Women could lust just as much as men, we choose not to."

Really? Is that a fact? Do you speak for all women?

Oh the hilarity! The comic relief that the prideful bickering produced truly shows our need for a Savior.

The truth of the whole matter is both men and women sin from time to time when they see a member of the opposite sex. The first thought is not some much a sin as it is a natural reaction, the second thought is where sin comes into effect. If you remember I said there are times that I have to turn my head from such sights, if I just keep looking then I am sinning. The women may not realize that they are protraying themselves as some may see them and I understand that but if I realize I am the cause for someone to stumble then I need to search myself to see if I am in the wrong. I may not be, it could be that they just need to do some checking up. I have worked in places to hear conversations from both sexes and both sides are hidious in our thoughts. Yes even higher up positions in the church. We all can live above sin, we just choose not to.

I think your comments nicely summarize the topic being discussed, Jerry. Thank you for your clarity. Let us all agree that we should live above sin, asking the Holy Spirit to equip us to do so, which will please our Father in Heaven.