Is Showing Cleavage Immodest? What Does the Bible Say?

Status
Not open for further replies.

Dylan_Chica

Regular Member
Mar 27, 2006
483
20
40
London, England
✟8,238.00
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Single
AutumnDreamer said:
Yes thank you, I quite agree. I just wasn't sure if you were responding to me or something else.

sorry if i came across as harsh, ok i just responded to the thread without reading all the replies to it wasn't really for you but i'm glad you agree, a woman should be able to dress the way she feels like dressing without men drewling all over her like she was a piece of meat
 
Upvote 0

CharAznable

Active Member
Sep 25, 2005
58
3
38
✟7,693.00
Faith
Nazarene

Ok, you have a unique situation. Now while we can't necessarily impose our beliefs on anyone, could the average woman say that a shirt with no cleavage isn't more modest than a shirt with cleavage? I can't see how that is possible. In your situation, you are doing your best, doing any more may cause an asthma attack. However, could the average woman honestly say more cleavage is more modest than no cleavage? Again, your situation is unique, and really it doesn't matter how anyone sees you, but rather if you are trying your best.

As far as the sitting home and watching TV thing... what I'm saying is that the homeless man is outside my door and wants food. I have plenty of food to give him, but because I am comfortable sitting home watching the game and eating pizza, I ignore him. While there is nothing wrong with watching TV, how can you justify ignoring the pleas of a homeless hungry man when you have something to offer him. That's what I was trying to get across with the comfort zone thing. I was trying to say that even though the activity you were doing wasn't itself sinful, and you were comfortable, it is your duty as a Christian to go and do more, your best, which in this case would be to get up out of your comfort zone and offer the homeless guy 2 slices of pizza.
 
Upvote 0

AutumnDreamer

Well-Known Member
Jan 6, 2006
1,890
159
48
Connecticut
Visit site
✟17,772.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married

I don't believe we are to help the homeless just b/c they are homeless. It may seem like I am doing this to argue really I am not. We have been dealing a lot with the homeless in this area we are in, there are things we would love to do, but God does not want us to do them for whatever reason we may never know. Again using the TV scenario, if God told you to go out and give the homeless guy some of your pizza and you don't that is sin. But maybe God is not telling to you do that? Maybe this guy is outside your home waiting to stab you, or rape you. The Lord may not be leading you to help for any number of reasons. DO you see what I mean? It is not something that is B&W. There are a lot of people I would love to bring home and feed them, give them a bed to sleep in, but for the safety of myself and my family the Lord is not leading me to do that at this time. I am willing, and even able, but if I am not listening to Him, and do it when He may be telling me not to, then I am in just as much sin as if if He told me to and I didn't. So for someone who is looking at a shirt, and God is telling them no it is too revealing for you, and they get it anyway, they are in sin. Not b/c of the revealing shirt, but b/c they were disobedient.
 
Upvote 0

wonderwaleye

Well-Known Member
Dec 23, 2005
4,779
161
80
MISSISSIPPI
✟5,952.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Dear AutumnDreamer


" simply that men lust not b/c of the clothes women wear "



I wonder if these words ring a bell:


" OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND "


For some reason I don't think these words play a big part in women's clothes design.



NOW SINCE YOU UNDESTAND MEN:


" lust not b/c of the clothes women wear but b/c they are men "


SHOULD MY UNDERSTANDING OF WOMEN BE:


" lust not b/c of the clothes men wear but because they are
woman "



Come to think of it, a part of it makes sense to me.


At least the part:

" MEN + WOMEN = BABES"




AS A MAN, I CAN TELL YOU THERE ARE TIMES WHEN IT BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO REMEMBER:




XEven though you can't see Him, GOD is there!O
( click on the X and move to the O ) ( then feel who is around you ) steven
 
Upvote 0

bliz

Contributor
Jun 5, 2004
9,360
1,110
Here
✟14,830.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Even if women cover up their clevage, it will still be very clear that they have breasts! Knowing there are breasts, seeing the size and shape of the breasts through the modest clothing could also be tempting to men and cause them to sin.

I think the only sensible solution is for women to bind their breasts.

Or, perhaps, wear a head to toe cloak of some sort with a little netting where their eyes are so they don't stumble and fall. Something like...

or

see, they come in pretty colors, too!


There! That ought to keep men from lusting!
 
Upvote 0

asianchexmix

No, I'm not sleeping I just have small eyes
Dec 22, 2003
870
19
38
Virginia
✟16,105.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
AutumnDreamer said:
So at what point do men start taking responsibility for their actions? Self-control is a fruit of the spirit, and maybe if men had a little bit more this wouldn't be an issue, I mean it is kind of like blaming McD's for americans getting fat.

Of course we have self-control but to an extent. Girls know that we are trying to control ourselves. Guys know that we are trying to control ourselves. Just because we must control ourselves doesn't make it a logical reason to wear whatever you want. As a family in Christ, you should be trying to help us STOP it. Yes, its hard because guys are visual beings and someone made a good point that regardless or not, we will see breasts. Binding up or whatnot doesn't make sense because thats beyond the girls control. If they wear modest clothing and guys still lust and whatnot, that is their (guys) fault. BUT its an entirely different story when it comes to when girls CHOOSINGLY wear outfits bearing cleavage. That's basically girls pushing guys off the cliff because even though we supposed to control ourselves, you know satan will hit you harder in those areas. Showing cleavage in that case is the small spark to ignite a wildfire. Is it a sin to bear cleavage? I would say through reasoning yes because when it comes down to it, WHY do you bear cleavage? It's not giving God glory by showing your stuff. If that's the case, guys would be walking around with their thingies out. Girls can LOOK good without compromising their bodies. If you can honestly say by showing cleavage it gives God glory, then 1) you're wrong and 2) I'm praying for you. I think that's what it ultimately comes down to....is <insert the thing you do> glorifying God? We were made for glorifying Him and Him alone not showing off how God created us. I'm sure not many people will say "I saw God by looking at some girl's cleavage".
 
Upvote 0

live4grace

Senior Member
Feb 19, 2005
790
71
Massachusetts
Visit site
✟16,917.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
CharAznable said:
I believe so, but I was wondering if someone can use reasoning other than "you cause others to stumble"

It is as you put it, one who shows cleavage is not necessarily sinning (though she may be - only God knows the heart), but she is definitely causing those who are tempted through the eye-gate (mostly men) to notice and fall in thoughts first and later, if sin progresses, in deed.

There's a misunderstanding among those (mostly women) who are not so tempted. They would legitimately find nothing wrong with those things that tempt others. If you want, it's a "weakness" men have (women have theirs too), and I don't mean to generalize except to tell the truth.

Advertisers have long had the saying "sex sells" and that's why cleavage is part of selling almost anything. The message is "buy this and you'll get that buxom lady too." That's pretty crass and dumb, but the appeal is there.

BTW, my wife talks about the "male cleavage" she has noticed too. Loose belts, overweight men bending over. You get the idea . Stangely, it has the opposite effect on her .

Blessings!!
 
Upvote 0

FallingWaters

Woman of God
Mar 29, 2006
8,508
3,321
Maine
✟38,902.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status

(Laughing out loud)
It is quite obvious dear sir, that you are studied in sarcastic humor. I dub you king for a day!
 
Upvote 0

FallingWaters

Woman of God
Mar 29, 2006
8,508
3,321
Maine
✟38,902.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status

Good for you! Excellent! You are so right. We ARE family. And if I REALLY love my brother, I will protect him, and look out for his best interests.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

AutumnDreamer

Well-Known Member
Jan 6, 2006
1,890
159
48
Connecticut
Visit site
✟17,772.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
I agree with you to an extent. I agree that women who choose to show a huge amount of cleavage will cause men to stumble and are probably doing it with that intent. However not all cleavage is meant to be shown in that way. Look at the profile pic in Jacquidube's profile, can you honestly say that that amount of cleavage is a stumbling block that a woman should be blamed for? Rather then having the man take responsibility for his actions and not look? I mean come one, what constitutes cleavage? A freaking line. A woman could be wearing a shirt that is open to the waist, but if she isn't wearing a bra she isn't showing cleavage. I just think it is ridiculous to blame a woman for showing a small amount of cleavage that may or may not be her fault.

 
Upvote 0

asianchexmix

No, I'm not sleeping I just have small eyes
Dec 22, 2003
870
19
38
Virginia
✟16,105.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
AutumnDreamer said:
I agree with you to an extent. I agree that women who choose to show a huge amount of cleavage will cause men to stumble and are probably doing it with that intent. However not all cleavage is meant to be shown in that way.

Key word there is meant. It wasn't MEANT to be that but honestly, do guys care about intentions? Hahaha I sure don't. If it's out in the open, its fair game. Thats how the male mind operates. If it's out there, we will look. We kinda disregard the intentions because we see boobies and I am being extremely blunt yet simple. Sorry guys for letting out our secret.


Although cleavage may be a line, I'm not talking about the line here. EVEN if she was only wearing a bra, that still shows us guys something. We ARE taking responsibility for our actions. We try to look away. If the guy has read "Every Young Men's Battle" series, it says to do the bouncing eyes technique. We know what to do but here is the thing. We have other plaecs we need to do that stuff. I mean we got the whole world we need to worry about. Seeing another sister in Christ doing that stuff just makes it worse for us. It does sound selfish in the girl point of view but that is our weakness. Do you understand what I'm saying? YES it is our responsibility to not look but it is also YOUR responsibility to not create MORE stumbling blocks. And if we truly embrace that we are family, why create more stumbling blocks than necessary?

In the same case, us guys should watch out what we say to you girls. We know not to call you things because thats where girls have their weakness...in what they hear (from what I hear). It's not about who is to blame because ultimately it is satan. But as a family, us guys watch out for you girls and vice versa. Thats how a family operates.

AutumnDreamer said:
I just think it is ridiculous to blame a woman for showing a small amount of cleavage that may or may not be her fault.

I want to know how it isn't her fault. Did she pick the outfit? Did she buy the outfit? I mean it is her choice to show cleavage or any skin for that matter. When it comes down to it, it isn't media who decides. It isn't family who decides. it isn't the dog who decides. When it comes down to it, it is YOU who decides. Saying it isn't your fault for showing cleavage is a ridiculous statement.

I think when it comes down to it, it's the fact of is it glorifying God as I said before. Trust me, I got my own things that really make me think if its for His glory or ours. Here is what I think of when I see two people in different outfits:

Nicely dressed but showing skin: "Oh..wow. She looks nice but dang...look at this and that"
Nicely dressed without showing skin: "Wow..she looks nice!"

See how that is? I should charge you for getting inside my brain because thats truly how guys operate (generally....the guy/girl comparisons are generally speaking). I mean yes I could think that even she isn't showing skin look at this and that but there is a less chance for that. Why take that chance? Why roll a dice when the outcome can only be bad?
 
Upvote 0

c1ners

Senior Contributor
Dec 12, 2005
14,753
1,725
59
US
✟30,977.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
You know what I think is funny?
Men constantly complain that women show too much of their bodies, and therefore cause them to sin.
But....if we cover ourselves from head to toe, men complain that we are not trying to look our best.
It's a no win situation.
Dress how YOU think it pleases God.
I don't think it's right for a man to blame a woman for their own impurities.
However, women do need to dress as modestly as they can. Not for men, but for GOD!
 
Reactions: IrishGrace
Upvote 0

asianchexmix

No, I'm not sleeping I just have small eyes
Dec 22, 2003
870
19
38
Virginia
✟16,105.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single

That is my whole point. Why couldn't I have just said that? LOL.
 
Upvote 0

AutumnDreamer

Well-Known Member
Jan 6, 2006
1,890
159
48
Connecticut
Visit site
✟17,772.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married

 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

AutumnDreamer

Well-Known Member
Jan 6, 2006
1,890
159
48
Connecticut
Visit site
✟17,772.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
Since we are being blunt, I will be also, let me explain to you how a women's body works. There are two kinds of bras, those that support and those that don't. The bras that don't are the ones that don't show cleavage. Not when you are rather well endowed in the chest area if you are wearing a bra that does not support you this causes all kinds of problems. Back problems, shoulder problems, etc. So to avoid be in constant pain, you choose a bra that supports, well in order to support it has to lift, when it lifts it causes cleavage. Look at the photo in my profile, there is nothing provacative with that shirt, but b/c of my size when you are looking at my striaght on there is a line that creates cleavage. The only option I have is wearing shirts that come up to my neck, so why should I have to fit my wardrobe around other men, when my husband would prefer me to dress a certain way? The point is there are different amounts of cleavage and there are different reasons for cleavage. Some of them can not be helped, it is the way a woman is made, and the way her undergarments are made that cause the cleavage. But men seem to think "well if they wouldn't wear it we wouldn't look" and you are absoluetly right, however, who is responsible for your actions?

Let me ask you this, if you saw two women standing next too each other, one has a small chest and is wearing a shirt that shoes a small amount of cleavage, the other has pamala anderson boobs and is wearing a snug tshirt showing no cleavage, which one you are more likely to look at?

 
Upvote 0

asianchexmix

No, I'm not sleeping I just have small eyes
Dec 22, 2003
870
19
38
Virginia
✟16,105.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
c1ners said:
However, women do need to dress as modestly as they can. Not for men, but for GOD!

I think that sums up the whole thing I was trying to say. I think this is going into more of a debate of cleavage. My whole reasoning of bringing the male perspective was about helping us out not sin which helps everyone get closer to God. Thats the reason behind why girls should dress modestly. If it's uncontrollable, then do what you gotta do. Under all of what I said about guys, its because we stumble and go into sin. I mean if you blatantly do it, then its not good of course. If its inevitable and you tried and tried and you can't control it for the life of you, then just do what you gotta do. I think we are getting too much into this and the general consensus is "less is more".
 
Upvote 0

chaoschristian

Well-Known Member
Dec 22, 2005
7,436
352
✟9,379.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
NEWS ARTICLE


Men, check your ring fingers.

If I were a CEO of a Fortune 500 company, I would have women do all of the business negotiations.

Is showing cleavage sinful?

The human body is not sinful. Using the human body with the intent to manipulate others is sinful, because it preys upon our animal nature.

A woman can show cleavage and commit no sin.

If a man then accuses that woman of making him stumble, he is doing nothing more than projecting and ascribing his own weakness and nature onto another.
 
Upvote 0

TheDag

I don't like titles
Jan 8, 2005
9,457
267
✟28,794.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
AutumnDreamer said:
So at what point do men start taking responsibility for their actions? Self-control is a fruit of the spirit, and maybe if men had a little bit more this wouldn't be an issue, I mean it is kind of like blaming McD's for americans getting fat.

Just like God didn't accept Adam's excuse in the garden that Eve gave him the fruit so God won't accept the guy saying it isn't my fault she was wearing skimpy clothing. Just like God didn't accept Eve's excuse that the serpent tricked her so he won't accept excuses saying but I had to look fashionable or if the guy can't control himself then it isn't my problem.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

AutumnDreamer

Well-Known Member
Jan 6, 2006
1,890
159
48
Connecticut
Visit site
✟17,772.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married

I completely agree!
 
Upvote 0
Status
Not open for further replies.