Question:
Should I go to Kokomo Beach?
Answer:
One of the most popular, summer-time attractions in
Kokomo is our state-of-the-art swimming pool accompanied with water
slides and a lazy river. Yet, this is not all that will accompany your
visit. It only takes a quick drive by Kokomo Beach to see plenty of
flirtatious, gawking men and women in clothes that cover no more than
their underwear.
So, this brings us to our question—should a Christian go to Kokomo
Beach? Let’s first consider how we cannot answer this question.
First, we cannot answer this question by comparing ourselves to other
Christians. Some will say, “Well, I know Sister Susie takes her kids
there.” Nor, can we say, “My Mom took me there when I was a kid, and
she’s a good, Christian lady.” It does not matter what others, including
your family, think about the issue. If we could do anything, as long as
we found some other “Christian” who was doing it, we could justify any
sin! Paul wrote, “For we dare not...compare ourselves with those who
commend themselves...they, measuring themselves by themselves, and
comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise” (2 Corinthians
10:12).
Second, we cannot claim this is totally in the realm of opinion and
avoid the question. The Bible does talk about nudity, our dress, the
lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the subject of public
indecency (lewdness) (Galatians 5:19; 1 Timothy 2:9,10; Titus 2:5; 1
John 2:16; John 21:7). If God has revealed His will on the subject, the
answer to the question is a matter of faith, not opinion (Romans 10:17)!
We should not allow our personal prejudice and self-righteousness to
desensitize our minds from the truth and dismiss this relevant question.
Third, we should distinguish between necessity and personal choice. Some
might say, “Well, there’s immodest people at school or the grocery,
should we not go there?” There is a difference. Public school is
mandatory by state law and we are to obey the laws of the land (Romans
13:1-6). Food is a necessity to sustain life and this requires going to
the grocery unless you milk your own cows, grow your own garden and
slaughter your own pigs! Going to the public pool is a personal choice.
So, how shall we answer the question? Go to God’s Word. Notice an Old
Testament example. It was David’s lust for the bathing Bathsheba that
triggered his sexual desire (2 Samuel 11:2-4). Indeed, in the New
Testament all sexual sins begin with the enticement of one’s lust
(Matthew 5:28; James 1:12-15). Would you allow your child to go buy a
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue? How is it different when we pay to be
at a pool with similarly-dressed people?
In addition, it leads to an attitude totally opposite of that which we
should have toward our bodies. Sunbathers want to get dark so they can
be proud of their bodies. Guys and girls like to strut their stuff. The
Bible teaches us to be “shamefaced” about our appearance—not
proud, but humble (1 Tim. 2:9,10; Titus 2:5). It should be no surprise
our culture is filled with sexual sin when we will so easily undress in
front of strangers!
June 2006