164. Why do women in the West dress so provocatively?

Read the question 122 first. Then you will understand that women who dress provocatively trying to look sexy, and entice men into bed with them are insecure, immature and lacking a sense of belonging and acceptance in a loving caring community. They feel they have to flirt to get attention. This is the fruit of a society that has adopted immoral worldly values and not kingdom of God values. The person who is secure in Christ and His family, called the Church, knows that in due time God will bring to them the right person to be their life’s partner, and they must keep themselves pure and holy for marriage and their bridegroom. Jesus is our example of this. He did not marry on earth because he is keeping himself holy and pure for the day He will be married to the Church, the body of Christ. Read more about this in question 107.

It is so sad that many western women think that their bodies are their only assets. They criticise women who keep themselves covered and fail to understand that the development of godly character is far more attractive to a godly man than the beauty of outward appearances which diminish with age. Godliness increases over time and makes a woman more and more attractive. A woman who focuses on the development of godliness is on a safe path. Such development will attract a godly man who will treat the woman with dignity and honour. A man is honoured by the chastity and godliness of his wife.

The pattern of marriage relationships is briefly summarised in 1 Peter 3 verses 1-7: ‘In the same way, wives must accept the authority of their husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, their godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent lives. Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewellery, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They trusted God and accepted the authority of their husbands. For instance, Sarah obeyed her husband, Abraham, and called him her master. You are her daughters when you do what is right without fear of what your husbands might do. In the same way, you husbands must give honour to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.’