
(copied image:zanakaydotwordpress)
The woman’s body image is all the rage in the western societies. One cannot go too far without seeing a half-naked woman somewhere. Unfortunately for most of us women, there is a shortage of half-naked men running around to make the ogling field even
. Nudity is the new black and the more one exposes, the more ’appreciated’ you are at least by men and perhaps lesbians. As much as there seem to be a clothing optional clause for females, most women are avoiding this even in the privacy of their own homes and in front of their spouses which is most disturbing.
There is a mixed message for us: the first message is the more skin you show the sexier you are. The second message is a woman have to fit into a certain size mold to be considered sexy. The truth is both those premises are false. What if things were reversed and women demanded a certain body type from men. The mold would look something like: At least 6′ 1″ tall, very well toned (2 pack minimum abs), being athletic would be a plus, a full head of hair, topped off with an at least slightly above average penis in length and girth. So, let’s think of all the men you know and see how many of them would fit nicely into that ideal.
This is not to say that both Christian men and women should ignore their bodies. The size issue is on two very extreme sides, the skinny vs the obese, which puts pressure on singles and married alike. It’s very interesting how society ended up with such a problem especially thinking about Adam and Eve who spent their days naked before the devil’s interruption. Can you image Adam pointing out that Eve’s breasts needed to be a little bigger and she should work a little harder to slim down her big hips a bit?
Society has moved from being ultra conservative to being ultra open. The true image of the body has been distorted beyond repair and women are the ones mostly affected. How many times have you walked through a crowed mall or event to see a very fat, beer bellied, and less than ideal body male walking with a woman who looks like she has a gym membership and uses it faithfully. However, it can be guaranteed that the woman is one who is feeling insecure about how she looks. These overt messages create quite a havoc for the Christian woman.
There is nothing wrong with feeling comfortable with your naked body. It takes practise. Afterall, everyone of us was born without a stitch of clothing. At least once or twice throughout each day we are naked. An unhealthy body image puts a strain on every aspect of our lives. This carries over to future or current relationships. When was the last time you looked at your naked body in the mirror and did not find at least 3 faults? The important question is when was the last time you actually looked at your naked body and appreciated what God had blessed?


6 responses to “Unveil Your Nakedness”
Steve M.
October 10th, 2012 at 14:41
Great post! I think there is way too much body-shame and false-modesty in Christian circles. Part of that is as a result of the severe asceticism that has overtaken Christendom. Even the Apostle Paul decried asceticism in his day. Children have clothing forced upon them the day they are born, and are told to “cover that dirty thing up” if they happen to forget pull their pants up after they use the bathroom. Since they are getting told that what God gifted them with is dirty, the body becomes something dirty that must not be exposed under any circumstances. If God created our bodies and called them “good”, why are we calling them “dirty”?
That brings to mind a post I read some time ago on a Christian dating and marriage group. A young married lady was lamenting that her husband wasn’t paying her any attention any more. Come to find out, what she normally wore around the house was baggy sweat-pants and an oversize T-shirt. Certainly nothing there to get his attention. My recommendation to her was that she visit the nearest Victoria’s Secret store and buy herself some real eye-candy lingerie. Make herself look like his wife, not the cook and housekeeper. He might even postpone eating supper until he had her for dinner first. My question is “What was she ashamed of in front of her husband”? A couple’s own home, and particularly their bedroom are the places they should be free to be completely themselves…nakedness and all.
I am no “eye-candy”. 56 years old and a bit overweight, but I am not ashamed of my body either. At the gym, I have no problem shedding my T-shirt to go into the pool or sauna. I was at a beach quite recently, and wore one of my “skimpier” bathing suits. It covered the 5% that had to be covered, but not much more. I loved the feel of the sun on my bare skin, and didn’t have a problem showing some. I was not immodest, but not falsely-modest either. And yes, I have had my share of nude massages also.
We must both reject Satan’s call to total-immodesty AND our own ill-conceived asceticism and start treating this body like it truly is God’s special creation. In the proper settings there is nothing “dirty” about it. If there was something “dirty” about it, the Word would not have “become flesh and dwelt among us”, and had He not become flesh and dwelt among us, we would have no Savior.
God bless!
Steve M.
HarleyQ2
October 10th, 2012 at 17:52
Women are given so much more negative messages about our bodies to the point that even in marriage women feel ashamed. Women were blessed with such wonderful beauty to be used appropriately but the overwhelming shame inhibits that even in the marital relationship. Love your confidence. thanks Steve
Greg
December 12th, 2011 at 12:19
This is so true–and there’s _so much_ that could be said about this subject. In fact, it’s even more of a “black hole” than sex in Christianity, because it’s even more challenging and uncomfortable to talk about. But we desperately need to have a biblical perspective of it. It’s so difficult–but critical–to have a healthy view of our bodies and nakedness as God created us.
Women are indeed bombarded with unrealistic expectations, deceit (hello, Photo-shopped models and images) and intense marketing pressure, all the while having to live in a world of double-standards. In general, men are more visual, but women are definitely targeted far, far more than men! Like you shared, if the tables were turned on men, it would be very embarrassing to say the least, as our male anatomy was not designed with aesthetic qualities. In biblical times in Israel, nakedness was rarely sexualized (many verses highlight this); in short, much of our view of nakedness is cultural; coming from one end of the extreme (Puritans) but now in the other extreme (“full-blown immorality and pornography are everything”). I believe as Christians, 1) nudity should never be sexualized (outside of the marriage bed)
2) we must value and cherish how God made us. He said it was “good” when He created us, why are we calling Him a liar? Personally, I’m a firm believer that God blessed women with the greatest beauty:
“If God made anything more beautiful than a woman, He kept it for Himself.”
If you’re interested in some challenging, but biblically-based thoughts on this, Pastor David L. Hatton (who is also a registered nurse) has some very insightful truths to think through on this subject:
http://www.pastordavidrn.com/files/myviewofnakedness.pdf
Some additional in-depth articles can be found here:
http://www.biblicalsexuality.com/shameful_nakedness__what_is_it_.htm
Sorry this is so long, but great article! I think much more needs to be said about it…
Harleyq2
December 13th, 2011 at 09:40
thanks for the links Greg.
Michael Rees
June 21st, 2012 at 11:36
I agree with you. I love being nude and am not ashamed of my body, for Jesus took our shame as well to the cross and buried it. Adam and Eve were naked and unashamed until satan -serpent came into the picture and mankind became as God is; which God did not intend to. Jesus is the last Adam (1.Corinthians 15:40-50) who restored what Adam messed up until Revelation 22). I receive massages from women and am not embarrassed as long as they do not mind or it is against the law. Churches tell you what NOT to do like parents to little children; rebellion comes in a negative way as well, for children or adults in churches need positive input of what they are able to do to resolve the issues. Michael.
HarleyQ2
June 21st, 2012 at 20:08