“…and they were naked and not ashamed…” Gen. 2:25
The Discovery channel will air a new low of moral depravity this weekend in the form of a new “reality” show that pits a naked man and naked woman against the elements in a survival marathon of 21 days where they survived like natives off the land in the brutal climate of Madagascar. Called “Naked and Afraid”, the show pairs Jeff Zausch and Eva Rupert like native savages, living like primitive people in caves and living off the land, exposed to the elements- all while being “buck” naked. Sure to excite the imagination of the American public, the show nevertheless demonstrates the steady slide of our nation into moral degradation.
When God created Adam and Eve and placed them in the garden of Eden, they were placed in a completely perfect environment. God created them as individuals, molded into His likeness and brought together as the first husband and wife. God commanded them to enjoy the garden and to work and till it and make it more productive. Living in this perfect setting, the Bible tells us “they were naked and unashamed”. Because there was no sin, neither of them felt any sense of shame at their condition. However, after disobeying God and eating the forbidden fruit; the Bible tells us they immediately hid themselves and sought to cover up their nakedness by sewing together aprons of fig leaves. Rather than correcting them for covering up, God instead reinforced their decision by taking the skin of an animal and making for them tunics to clothe them. Ever since that time, Christian belief has asserted the importance of modesty in dressing ourselves.
Interestingly, it has always followed that the further a culture has slid into pagan practice, the more people have discarded their clothing. One of the signs of a hardened conscience and a low sense of shame at sin is public indecency. People parading around in the nude is not a wonderful expression of freedom- rather it is a sign of degradation. Where once adults in our society modeled public propriety and decency, now it seems to be all the rave to throw caution to the wind and bare it all for all to see.
In such a culture it is all the more important that Christians set the example of proper modesty. Several times in the New Testament, God admonishes His people to “adorn themselves in modest apparel.” Rather than bowing to the norms of the day, Christians need to take the high road and set a different standard. The Lord counsels the church of Laodicea in the book of Revelation “…to buy of me…white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear.” Although the American culture may be promoting being “naked and not ashamed”, maybe the reality is we should be afraid because of our nakedness and in shame turn back to the One who alone can clothe us in His perfect righteousness.
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