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NASB | Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord [that is, accept their guidance and discipline as His representatives], for this is right [for obedience teaches wisdom and self-discipline]. |
Bible Question:
My daughter is 14 and is starting to dress inappropriately (ex.. bikinis, short shorts, low rise and tight jeans). Most of the family think that this is fine because it's what all the girls are wearing and, "she's just being a girl". I'm having a hard time explaining to her why it's wrong. It's especially hard because other family membrs think it's fine. How can I explain to her and if you know of scripture to back it up, please tell me. Thank you. |
Bible Answer: Dear psalm46v10, Brother Mark gave you some very well rounded and sound thoughts. If I can add to that… A few verses come to mind of which you have already recognized one: Ephesians 6:1 1Corinthians 8:12, 13: 12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. 13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend. “I make my brother to offend: this is truly Christian charity, a proof of brotherly love, and it shows a concern for the peace and welfare of others, when a person foregoes his own right, and drops the use of his liberty, rather than grieve, wound, and offend a brother in Christ.” - John Gill The verse from 1Corinthians, in my opinion, has a very broad application. Your Husband and his current wife are they Christians? They need to closely listen to your requests and wishes when it deals with your children. Although your children may not be under your direct guidance, you are their mother and your wishes should be respected, especially in dealing with their spiritual upbringing. Not taking into consideration the weaker Christian aspect, because this can vary greatly from person to person, but the charitable thing to do, once you know something is offensive to another, is to simply stop doing it for their conscience’s sake. There are many things I find non-offensive of which I’ll refrain from in certain company. Not because I think it is wrong, but simply because others may. Your position on this matter concerning your daughter surely needs to be considered by the others involved. All involved here, the father, stepmother, daughter and you need to be sure to take all feelings into account and reason to a suitable outcome, keeping Christian morals and principles in the forefront. With that said, you may want to approach the other parental unit and discuss this with them, which you may have already done to no avail. I would think you should also discuss with your daughter. Ultimately, it seems that she is wearing what she thinks is appropriate as well. If you can convince her that it may not be so, and explain why, she may reject the attire in question and even if it is purchased for her, she’ll opt not to wear it. It is most definitely what is on the inside that matters most. 1Peter 3:3,4; 3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. To achieve an understanding on your daughter’s part, simply ask her to adorn these items and then proceed to gather with the congregation of a church. Most likely, she’ll feel the uneasiness and maybe get a feeling of how unbecoming some attire can be. I agree that our attire, as well our actions, does reflect to an extent where our hearts are. Stress that to your daughter as well. How does she want to be perceived by her peers and others? Does she set the example of who she truly is with her attire and actions? Ultimately, prayer for an acceptable resolution is your best course of action. God has control of the situation you can be sure. Find peace in that while you persevere in helping your daughter and her father and stepmother to understand your mind-set and why you feel the way you do. I hope this helps in some way. I’ll close with the following: 1Timothy 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; “The true idea here is, that her attention to her appearance should be such that she will be offensive to no class of persons; such as to show that her mind is supremely fixed on higher and more important things, and such as to interfere with no duty which she owes, and no good which she can do, either by spending her time needlessly in personal adorning, or by lavishing that money for dress which might do good to others, or by neglecting the proprieties of her station, and making herself offensive to others.” – Albert Barnes “They must be very modest in their apparel, not affecting gaudiness, gaiety, or costliness (you may read the vanity of a person's mind in the gaiety and gaudiness of his habit), because they have better ornaments with which they should adorn themselves, with good works. Note, Good works are the best ornament; these are, in the sight of God, of great price. Those that profess godliness should, in their dress, as well as other things, act as becomes their profession; instead of laying out their money on fine clothes, they must lay it out in works of piety and charity, which are properly called good works.” – Matthew Henry In Him, WOS |