The Unpopular Way – Saints and Swimming
Like clockwork, once a year summer comes. And, rightly so, many are thinking of vacations, picnics, gatherings with family, and all kinds of outdoor sports and
activities.
One such activity—is Swimming i.e., Public Bathing.
The question of the day: Is swimming sinful? Short answer is not if it is males together with other males out of sight of women. Not if it is women together with women, out of sight of men. But when you combine the two—i.e., summer mixed pool parties where both men and women swim together—then you have a problem. And it isn’t the act of swimming per say. The problem we will address has everything to do with the various states of undress among men and women. Improper clothing that shows the nakedness of the body, and what happens in the heart.
Please don’t insult me, or any other by claiming that nobody is looking, that nobody cares! After the lesson is done I believe you’ll have enough material to be convinced that somebody does care—God!
Let’s never forget that we can be disqualified if we don’t examine and test all we think and do against the the word of God, after all, He is the judge, and the source of morality.
I’d like to draw your attention to an article on the internet called, “What’s your opinion on mixed Swimming?”
This is one man’s comments on the subject…
Article: What’s Your Opinion on Mixed Swimming?
- “When I went to church camp in 1980, the boys didn’t swim in the lake at the same time as the girls. We weren’t anywhere near the lake at the same time. Fast forward a number of years and I’ve seen more naked men and women in pools or hot tubs than I can count on both hands and feet.”
- “Below the age of 18, our standard for considering a person an adult, I would caution against it. Not from a moral standpoint but because kids sometimes do things they might regret later.”
- “Sharing water together, no matter the dress level, is a fun experience. I also understand that many people will disagree with it for religious or moral reasons…”
- “One has to find their own comfort level in everything they do, I like mixed bathing with no clothes.”
Truth: Defining Morality by your own Comfort Level is Foolishness – Jer. 10:33; Prov. 14:12
Example, many are comfortable with, incest, “date rape”, fornication, drunkenness. Recent news has proven, many are comfortable with rioting, burning down building, and even physical violence, including murder. If you are not comfortable such—that is great—but understand that if you’re uncomfortable because they shock your own comfort level there is a problem. If you don’t believe in an absolute morality that is defined by God—then you cannot condemn any one for doing any of these things.
Never forget, God, “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love” (Col. 1:13). No matter how tempting—always remember we are not of this world. So, Let’s see what God’s definition of nakedness is…