What Summer Reveals About Us

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Families were stretched out along the shore enjoying a beautiful sunny afternoon when several young women walked by in bikinis that left very little to the imagination. It didn’t take long before heads began to turn. A group of young men suddenly lost interest in their volleyball game. As the women moved toward a row of lounge chair a few noble husbands quickly looked away while others were nudged by their wives before finally breaking their gaze. The young women giggled and smiled as the attention confirmed their choice of swimwear had done exactly what they’d hoped for… get the guys’ attention.

Our culture says there’s nothing wrong with wanting to look sexy. But have you ever stopped to think about what that actually means? To look sexy is to present yourself in a way that invites sexual attention. It encourages others to focus on your body before they focus on you. People often call it confidence, but it’s really allowing your body to become the source of the attention you receive. Whether it’s bikinis, Daisy Duke shorts, or tops that reveal more than they cover, the message is the same. The body comes first. The person comes second. In the process, physical appearance starts to outweigh the person God created you to be.


God gives a completely different perspective. “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit… Therefore honor God with your bodies.” (1 Cor 6:19-20). A temple is sacred. It’s set apart for God’s presence and treated with reverence. Yet society encourages us to uncover the temple in order to draw attention to it. God never intended our bodies to become advertisements for sexuality. He intended them to reflect His glory. That’s why modesty isn’t about hiding beauty. It’s about honoring God with what He has entrusted to you. The goal isn’t to make people admire the temple. It’s to honor the One who dwells there.


Peter makes a similar point when he writes, “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment… Rather, it should be that of your inner self…” (1 Peter 3:3-4). Our culture encourages women to reveal more in hopes of being noticed. God encourages women to cultivate a beauty that doesn’t fade. One mindset seeks attention from people. The other reflects Christ. Only one will matter when the summer fades.


Think about it. 

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