Sports Illustrated, Victoria Secrets and other leaders in pop culture have established new standards in ladies’ swimwear over the last several years. Parents of girls are often confronted with the big question of summer, “Can I get a bikini this year?” Preteen and teenage girls want to know when they can sport a two-piece for summer fun. This may not be the most important question in life, but for parents who are discipling their kids to live for the global glory of God, this question is no teeny-tiny, itsy-bitsy issue.
Here are a few principles that may help navigate the Bikini Question (BQ):
The BQ is more than a parenting issue.
It is a Christian living issue. We should be careful not to assume that the values of a follower of Christ are unrelated to our decisions in childrearing. Any double standard becomes glaringly obvious to everyone involved.
The BQ highlights our need for the Bible to inform our daily decisions.
In an effort to avoid legalism in every form (which I strongly encourage) we sometimes neglect our duty to allow the Bible to shape our practical choices. “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness”—2 Timothy 3:16.
The BQ provides the opportunity to apply biblical instruction under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
While many Christians condemn legalism we often just want a list of dos and don’ts that will order and arrange our lives. Yet God has called us to love Him and our neighbors…that calling is about relationship not rules.
The BQ illustrates that all things that are lawful may not be profitable (see 1 Corinthians 6:12).
There are many decisions that are permissible. What food we eat, how we use time, the way we spend money, and the BQ clearly fall into that category. There is certainly freedom in the area of personal swimwear. So the question is not primarily what is allowed, but what is most helpful.
The BQ reminds us that personal choices flow from the heart.
Solomon wrote, “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life”—Proverbs 4:23. So the BQ begs other questions, “Why do I want to wear that?” “What is the motive of my heart in this practical decision?”
The BQ affects our relationship with others.
How we answer the BQ has the potential to build up or tear down others. “Therefore if food cause my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, that I might not cause my brother to stumble”—1 Corinthians 8:13. In loving relationships, our rights are often forfeited—1 Corinthians 9:12.
The BQ addresses important moral issues.
While food sacrificed to idols was a moral dilemma in the early church, public attire for women is such a question in our day. Because of the radical sexualization in our culture, we cannot be naïve about the BQ. Our decision to buy hamburger or steak, for example, simply does not have the same ramifications.
The BQ considers personal modesty.
Ladies of all ages have responsibilities in the community of faith and in the community at large to be “reverent in their behavior…teaching what is good…to be sensible, pure…that the word of God may not be dishonored”—Titus 2:3-4. While immoral ladies of Corinth dressed in a very provocative manner, the apostle Paul encouraged Christ-followers to live with Christian distinction. See 1 Corinthians 11.
The BQ challenges a higher standard.
Ultimately, the Bible tells us that we are not our own…that we have been bought with a price, therefore, we are to “glorify God” in our bodies—1 Corinthians 6:19-20. The idea that we get to do what we want with our own body without regard for the glory of God is inconsistent with our life in Christ.
The BQ should not divide believers.
While we make different decisions in how we live out our faith, the BQ is not an issue of Christian fellowship. As a dear friend of mine used to say, “We love ‘em and leave ‘em with the Lord.” Uniformity is never our mandate, but unity is (see John 17).
Enjoy the summer!
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