The Happy Talent
  • Blog
  • About
  • Popular
  • Education
  • Social Science
  • Travel
  • Products
  • Contact
"It is a happy talent to know how to play."

Jesus Says It's Men's Responsibility Not to Lust, NOT Women's Responsibility to "Cover Up."

12/31/2018

55 Comments

 
Picture
I'm not, like, a religious EXPERT or anything... But remember that time Jesus was like:
​
But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

Matthew 5:28-29

​

I thought that was pretty awesome. 

Lots of people, across multiple religions, have this weird, perverted idea that women are not only supposed to be mind readers, but also mind controllers, keeping men from thinking certain thoughts.

They think they get to tell women how to dress, that they need to "cover up" or "dress modestly" because some dude who's not Jesus says you should.

A couple of problems:

First, Jesus, himself, did not say, "When a man looks with lust, women should cover their bodies, which I gave them... but which are also somehow inherently sinful and shameful."

Jesus did say, "When a man looks with lust, that man needs to grow up and take accountability for his own thoughts and behaviors." 

Which... makes a lot of sense. (See also: Men, if you think women are the problem, YOU are the problem. Women don't like whiny little boys who can't take accountability for their own actions. They like men.) If Jesus wanted women to be able to control men's minds, he would have given us the power of mind control. 

Second, biblical modesty isn’t about managing other people's sexual impulses. It’s about cultivating humility and propriety. It's about rejecting materialism. As Rachel Held Evans writes in Modesty: I Don't Think It Means What You Think It Means:
In 1 Timothy 2:9-10, the apostle Paul writes “I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.” The Greek word translated “modesty” here is kosmios. Derived from kosmos(the universe), it signifies orderliness, self-control and appropriateness. It appears only twice in the New Testament, and interestingly, its second usage refers specifically to men (1 Timothy 3:2). In fact, nearly all of the Bible’s instructions regarding modest clothing refer not to sexuality, but rather materialism (Isaiah 3:16-23, 1 Timothy 2:9-12, 1 Peter 3:3). ​

Which... also makes a lot of sense. Lots of people like to dress as though they're better off than other people, because downward social comparison is the number one best way to feel better about ourselves. (Though, for what it's worth, comparing yourself to others can be one of the best ways to improve and get motivated, if done correctly.)

They like to dress as though they're better off than other people, because it's impossible not to care what other people think (unless you're a psychopath or a sociopath). 

On the one hand, I feel like if my $12,000 watch makes you feel bad about yourself, you probably need to work on yourself, and learn to love yourself for things other than ostensible displays of success and wealth. Scripps College has this supplemental essay prompt, "If you could trade lives with someone (fictional or real) for a day, who would it be and why?" At first, I didn't see that "for a day" part, and I was like, "Literally no one. I'd rather be me. Or possibly LeBron or Taylor Swift. But basically no one but me." There are so many people who are richer, more beautiful, or more successful than I am... but... they're still not me. So what would be the point of being them?

On the other... materialism won't make you happy (though money can, when spent pro-socially and on experiences, rather than things), and the Bible is pretty clear on this.

But, going back to sexual modesty, Rachel Held Evans also writes: 
​
We turn modesty into objectification when we hold women responsible for the thoughts and actions of men.
​

It is important here to make a distinction between attraction and lust. Attraction is a natural biological response to beauty; lust obsesses on that attraction until it grows into a sense of ownership, a drive to conquer and claim. When Jesus warns that “everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart,” he uses the same word found in the Ten Commandments to refer to a person who “covets” his neighbor’s property. Lust takes attraction and turns it into the coveting of a woman’s body as though it were property. And men are responsible for their own thoughts and actions when this happens; they don’t get to blame it on what a woman is wearing...

The IVP New Testament Commentary notes that at the time, “Jewish men expected married Jewish women to wear head coverings to prevent lust. Jewish writers often warned of women as dangerous because they could invite lust (as in Sirach 25:21; Ps. Sol. 16:7-8), but Jesus placed the responsibility for lust on the person doing the lusting.”
​


It's normal to be attracted to others. No one is saying to gouge your eyes out just because you notice someone is gorgeous. Just... behave like a normal, responsible adult and take accountability for your own actions. 

Evans mentions that different religions and cultures treat modesty differently, some offering guidelines, some wanting to make laws to regulate what women wear. Of course, we've all seen this comic:
Picture

It's clever. I like it. Though I feel like the major difference here is choice. 

Maybe the bikini lady is dressed that way because she feels like she doesn't have a "choice" -- if she doesn't show skin, men won't show interest in her.

But that's a little different from feeling like you don't have a choice because people will judge you, assault you, or exclude you if you don't dress like the niqāb lady. (Which obviously isn' the case with everyone who wears a niqāb... but it's definitely the case for some -- and isn't that tragic?)

Sure, different cultures treat modesty differently -- and lots of fellow travelers think that it's "respectful" to subscribe to the soft bigotry of low expectations and participate in rape culture while visting certain places. I think that diversity is beautiful... but I also think that not every part of every culture deserves my respect. 

Including the gross, so-called "evangelical" culture that supports putting rapists in office and on the bench, because who cares if they're a rapist if they might maybe make it harder for women to get abortions? (True story. According to a NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll, 48% of white evangelical christians said Kavanaugh should be confirmed to the Supreme Court even if the charge of sexual assault is true.)

It's just... so gross and backwards to me that people still​ think women are accountable for men's actions... including people like Gabby Douglas, who had many teammates who were sexually abused by an adult team doctor as little girls. 
​
Picture

​Hopefully, Gabby's MUCH classier teammate, Simone Biles, managed to talk some be-less-rapey-ness into her...
Picture

(While we're on the topic of gymnastics, don't miss Aly Raisman's autobiography, Fierce: How Competing for Myself Changed Everything.)

It doesn't take most girls and women long to realize that their bodies will be noticed by men no matter what they wear. ​If your goal is not to be raped, "modesty" is an approach that has been proven ineffective time and again. "Modesty" is, however, a really convenient way for rapists to shame girls and women into believing they were somehow responsible for that happened to them. 

But... Jesus would be the first to point out that this is not the case. If your eye makes you lust, pluck it out. If your dick makes you want to rape, cut it off. 

55 Comments
Zeph
1/5/2019 01:33:46 pm

First off, rape is indefensible, and anything suggesting that a rape is any less terrible or criminal depending on what a woman wears is obscene.

If we shift context from moral to practical tho, there are places I would not suggest a friend or daughter go wearing skimpy clothing, for their safety. As you say, dressing modestly certainly doesn't (100%) protect a woman from rape, but in navigating the imperfect real world we live in, sometimes how one dresses could affect the PROBABILITY of being assaulted (from harrassment up through rape). That shouldn't matter (and rape shouldn't exist at all, nor any other crime), but it does. Criminals don't operate by our rules.

A great deal of our behavior is about trying to change the probabilities of certain outcomes, rather than having complete control. Driving on the right side of the road in the US doesn't protect you from every having a crash, but it does affect the probabilities.

And just in case anybody missed it - again, this is not how the world should be, and in no way does how a woman dresses affect the morality or criiminality of rape.

Reply
Eva Glasrud link
1/7/2019 02:33:18 pm

I'd be interested to see the numbers on that -- because it's definitely true that modesty won't protect you, but there are areas where not covering yourself makes dudes violent.

It kind of seems like the kind of study no one would really want to do, though, because the results might not feel good (do you really want to be the researcher whose data "validates slut shaming"?)

Reply
Jessica
2/16/2019 07:57:21 pm

"If we shift context from moral to practical tho, there are places I would not suggest a friend or daughter go wearing skimpy clothing, for their safety."

I'm curious about this. Where is a place that it would be dangerous for me to wear skimpy clothing? That is, a place where the danger is *because* I'm wearing skimpy clothing?

Reply
John
10/14/2021 06:57:04 am

If I walk with half of my penis out , is that okay?

Eva Glasrud link
10/14/2021 09:24:24 pm

Johnnie, honey. Do you... not understand the difference between a primary sex organ and a collar bone? That's pretty messed up. I'm sorry you've lived such a bizarre, sheltered, and hyper-sexualized (yet completely repressed) life. All I can say is that. I feel sorry for you.

Fear God!
3/27/2022 08:57:31 am

After receiving a standing "O" from my family and friends regarding my comments to Eva, I had to tell them that I was not trying to be mean, but she deserved to know the truth about the eternal implications of attracting lust!

My sweetheart should never have even opened the conversation! After all, women who fear God and honor God with their lives and lifestyles, would not even contemplate mindlessly prancing around the beach 3/4 naked in a bikini!

No arguments there!

And I have had to minister to so many deceived "Christian" girls on Instagram, "Fakebook," and YouTube that it's not even funny! If you truly had Jesus as Lord, then Instagram and others would be the last place you would be! "Starving" and "Thirsting" for attention from strangers! Sadly, preachers in this country have dropped the ball, big-time! They no longer preach about Holiness, Sin, and Hell! They'd rather enjoy popularity and the accolades of men and living a lavish lifestyle They'd much rather tickle peoples ears with the "prosperity gospel" and package Jesus as someone who only wants you wealthy and comfortable and who only spoke about love, love, love! Bottom line, Jesus Christ was a Fire and Brimstone Preacher! Jesus did not come to make you rich, He came to save you from the Fires of Hell!

A frustrated girl asked me on Instagram,

"Then why are you here?"

So I said, "I'm glad you asked!"

If you will notice I'm not "displaying" myself to the world at large, flexing my muscles, and "attention seeking" from others! My Instagram page is only about Jesus, not myself! I'm only here to do Jesus' bidding -not my own!

But just like the girls in the "world," these "Christian" girls are also out "attention seeking" from others! They can't wait to "reveal" themselves with their lipstick, bikinis, or torn bluejeans! That's a fact! They have no clue that God holds them fully accountable for attracting Lust!

"Well, where do you find that in the Bible?"

Again, glad you asked!

Never take my word for anything, that's because Jesus always says it best!

“There will always be temptations to sin, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting! It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around your neck than to cause one of these little ones to fall into sin."

Luke 17:1 –2

"What! Jesus said that?"

You just read it, my frustrated friend!

Many laugh and say, "Who cares?" Trust me, when they open their eyes from a burning Hell, they will suddenly care! But by then, it will be too late for them! Only fools wouldn't care!

And the men don't get off the hook either, they had no business "sniffing" around for trash on social media! When I minister to these women, trust me, I do not feel lust, I only feel pity and compassion for souls that are on their way to hell! And so many of these women are so insecure with themselves as human beings, that they only feel that they can present themselves to the world when they resemble a seductive clown! With all of their lipstick, makeup, mascara, fake eyelashes, and on and on! It would be comical, if it was not so sad and pathetic!

You are a soul that Jesus loves! The Bible says God doesn't want any to perish, but He expects us to Obey Jesus Christ!

That's not "legalism."

That's called Holiness!

God Demands It!

Jesus is Lord!

But wait, I'm not done!

And I've said the following to so many of these deceived women on social media,

"You are precious, but we all need God's truth, my dear! And the images that you reveal on your page are images that should probably be kept private.

What a second! Are we judging you, or trying to remove the speck out of your eyes? No! But we are loving you enough to share the truth with you!

If you are someone who is always trying to find excuses to sin, then chances are, you were never truly saved and born again to begin with! Anyone can repeat a prayer at the altar on Sunday morning, but if you are not constantly amending your life to become more Christ-like, and spending time with Him reading His Word and sharing Him with others, you're definitely a "False" or "Fake" Christian! They truly are the ones that Jesus says He will "spew" out of his mouth! (Revelation 3:16)

And I'm not judging, as a Colonel, military pilot/airline pilot, I had women galore! God had to get my attention quick because I looked a few people in the eyes who had NDE's. Bottom line -Hell is Real! After that, my life changed very quickly! What so many Christians need to understand is that your "Christianity" never gives you a license to sin!

And from the Bible,

"Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. There is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies."

Hebrews 10:26–27

That should put chills through you, friend! The pain and suffering in Hell goes beyond our human

Eva Glasrud link
4/3/2022 02:43:33 pm

LOLOLOLOLOLOL. Omg. "Fear God!" Not only are you obviously a religious nutjob... but you also have the same IP address as almost all of the similarly nutty weirdo comments on here.

A "standing O from your family and friends?" LOLOLOL. You're talking about your own replies to yourself! TOO funny.

Tom
1/21/2019 11:35:36 am

While I agree with your general points about modesty, I thought I'd just add the rest of Paul's thought in 1 Timothy 2: "A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet."

Paul's views on marriage/sex are also pretty out of line with the modern Christian interpretation - he essentially believed that staying unmarried and celibate was best, and that marriage was only for those who could not control their sexual impulses. 1 Corinthians 7:1-2 "Now for the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband."

I say all of this to note that while your notions of modesty might be biblically inspired, I think they feel much more like modern thought than reflective of biblical norms (which makes sense considering the role of women in modern society is quite different than it was two thousand years ago).

Anyway, I don't expect you to draw any particular conclusion from this, but my conclusion was that I don't find Paul to be a particularly persuasive authority on how Christians should live their lives.

Reply
Tom
8/21/2020 03:41:09 pm

We were in hysterics here when we read this article! Talking about washing your hands of a sin that you were guilty of initiating! Talk about the pot calling the kettle black! I think we have just found the a epitome of hypocrisy! I have ministered to hundreds of women on Instagram, YouTube, and other social media. And it's absolutely pathetic, so many of them will claim to be "Christian" and will actually quote a few scriptures at the top of their page, and then, when you take a peek down at some of their images, they are usually prancing around 3/4 naked in a bikini, puckering painted lips, showing their cleavage, and arching their rear-ends to the point of breaking their backs! It's pathetic! Satan has made these women such easy suckers to put into slavery to vanity of the flesh, lust, and perversion, it's sad! These women have absolutely no clue that God holds and fully accountable for doing everything possible to attract male attention and lust. And then to have the pride, arrogance, and audacity to point a crooked finger at the men! So, don't blame the men, they were not the ones that "arranged" themselves for three hours in front of a mirror before they showed up at the beach! And how hypocritical to point the finger back at men, it's pure ignorance of the Word of God. The images these women display should be saved only for a husband in the marriage bed, and not for the world at large on social media, like an open sewer!

Trust me, this Colonel, has look people in the eyes who have had NDE and what they described as hell was not a bad dream or a hallucination. It forever change their lives. And apparently, many "Christian girls have open their eyes and looked up from the fires of hell. So apparently, God did take it very serious after all! And then to mock gods man Paul, who was in trusted with writing 2/3 of the New Testament, that's just not too bright! Even you must agree with that!

Sadly, that reflects the True fact that women's perversion levels in our modern society have sunk much deeper than that of men! perversion level of women in our society! Their perversion level has sank Sad, but true!

Jesus is Lord!

PS. And by the way, how are you going to explain this one away, that came from the mouth of Jesus Christ himself ! You can't pawn that one off on the apostle Paul, as you are obviously in the habit of! LOL!

"One day Jesus said to his disciples, “There will always be temptations to sin, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting!"
Luke 17:1

So, now you're going to start having issues with Jesus? Please grow up, and start learning to live a Holy and consecrated life and stop flirting with the fires of hell!

"if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins."
Hebrews 10:26

So, are you now going to start having issues with the Book of Hebrews!

Vanity is one of the 7 deadly sins, read up on it! It's sad, I had to educate and school you on most of the Bible today!

Reply
Eva Glasrud link
8/21/2020 09:17:18 pm

Your comment reads about like the emails I get from deranged schizophrenics every now and then... I hope when you "minister" or whatever it makes more sense than this, and doesn't just sound like some overemotional, potentially out of touch with reality dude.

(You're obviously not, as you claim, any kind of a "minister," though. Anyone who's spent five minutes in a church could see that.)

Do see a professional, as you clearly have issues.

Best of luck, and God's blessings :)

Reply
John
10/14/2021 07:00:45 am

Best comment I have read Tom. Women will walk with half of their breast out nor to be comfortable but to show off , if men walk with his penis hidden and balls out? Is that okay?

Eva Glasrud link
10/14/2021 09:26:48 pm

Oh, hi again, John. I see you're making the same weird "point" about a primary sex organ vs. a collar bone. I have the same reply: if you don't understand the difference between your dick and another person's collar bone, I feel very sorry for you.

And Jesus would have a thing or two to say to you about your inability to control your lust.

Lavender
9/17/2020 05:50:46 pm

Are those women saved christians? Did they consent to you lusting after them? Did they flirt/approach you sexually? Did they explicitly say their intention was to attract/entice men and not just because they thought they look good like that? Unless the answer to all of these questions is yes, they did not tempt you.

If you feel lust by following girls’ profiles on Instagram- why are you on there? Why are you objectifying women? Why aren’t you deleting Instagram? It’s not shoved in your face- if you can’t control yourself when you’re seeing pictures of women, maybe consider avoiding those until you’ve asked God to save you.

Also, the bible clearly says that men, MEN are sinning for feeling lust towards a woman. That sentence is not followed by any direction towards women sharing guilt. It is explicitly and only directed at people who can’t control their lust. Nobody is responsible for YOUR sin except you. Tempting is a sin but ONLY if that is what you are wilfully doing- and it would still not make them responsible for your personal sin.

Reply
Lavender
9/17/2020 06:02:52 pm

You sound pretty eager to push the blame for men sinning onto women. Why is that? Is it because you struggle to control your lust so it’s easier to say that it’s all the woman’s fault? Is it easier to push your burden of sin onto other women rather than accept that you need God’s help because you are incapable of not sinning? Is it your pride that won’t accept that you can’t be perfect enough to meet god’s standards?

John
6/24/2021 11:36:10 pm

Seems a lot of women these days have no sense of responsibility, respect, or self-examination. If I walk around like a cop, and someone runs up to me because of a violent crime going on, am I going to say, “just because I dress like a cop, doesn’t mean I AM one”? Let’s face it, women these days, even “christian” women, dress like harlots. End of story🤫

Eva Glasrud link
6/26/2021 06:08:01 am

John, the fact that you think that's a good and relevant analogy offers a huge insight into your intelligence level. Sigh.

Worth noting: it's one thing to dress a certain way, and another to talk and act a certain way. You talk and act like a rapist. What would Jesus say about that?

Bridget
1/19/2022 10:00:44 pm

And what exactly does looking good mean!? If you want to look good its so others look at you and think you look good...if all men were blind women wouldn't do it.

Eva Glasrud link
1/20/2022 07:15:04 am

Bridget, of COURSE people want to look good, for so many reasons that have nothing to do with vanity. You think someone's going to hire someone who looks like a scruffy clown? No. Don't be crazy. You think people are going to take you as seriously if you don't look as good? No, of course not. And honestly, who DOESN'T love walking into a room with their boyfriend and knowing he knows he's with the most beautiful woman in the room?

I don't know if this is coming from a place of deep insecurity (fearing you'll never look good, no matter what you do, so you get huffy when other people look good) or brainwashing or what.

But I'm curious what you wear in the summers in central Florida. How do you stay cool if you're so obsessed with what men think when they look at you? You got a special summer hijab or something?

Bridget
1/19/2022 09:58:58 pm

That was a beautiful reply and 100% spot on. Sadly vanity doesn't recognize itself!

Reply
Tom
8/21/2020 04:41:33 pm

And yes, as I've said, I've looked people in the eyes who have had in the NDE's and as you can agree with, people that have had NDE's don't lie about their experiences! There is a channel on YouTube that explains all about the eternal consequences of living your life in rebellion to God Almighty .And there are many graphic details of the horrific pain and torture that the demons inflict on women and men, who lived their lives for their needy, shallow, and lustful flesh! Trust me, the pain and suffering in hell goes beyond human comprehension and understanding. To mock that fact, is only to mock yourself and nobody else!

It seems today that Jesus has many "fans", but he has very few Obedient followers! Jesus himself alluded to the fact that if you love me, then why do you not Obey me? As we know, these women have no intentions of Obeying Jesus Christ, because they're too busy finding excuses to continue living in sin and perversion. So many weak women will always say,

"Oh, but God gave me this hot body!

LOL!

Sweetheart, God gave you that "hot body" that you fantasize you have, to see if you had the moral fiber, character, and strength to use it to Honor and Glorify Him, And not your vain, needy and shallow flesh! And I hate to break it to you, he did not give you your body to prance around the beach 3/4 naked in a bikini desperately trying to cause men to commit adultery with their eyes! And if you "Proudly" continue in that lifestyle, you will probably end up lifting your eyes from the fires and torments of hell after your last breath on this earth. No, I do not want that for anybody, but mocking God's demand that we live holy, is only mocking yourself and nobody else!

Jesus is Lord!

And by the way, here is one for you from the apostle that wrote 2/3 of the New Testament, by the name of Paul! And hopefully, you can actually get through reading this without attacking his character afterwards!

""But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people."

2 Timothy 3:2

Jesus is Lord!

Reply
Eva Glasrud link
8/21/2020 09:20:19 pm

Paul: "Have nothing to do with such people."

Tom: [Spends an hour writing comments on my blog]

LOLOLOL! Thanks for the chuckle :)

Reply
Tom
8/23/2020 02:58:50 am

Yes, we agree with the beginning of the page that said there was not a claim to being a religious expert! That's probably where the article should've stopped! To see if future humiliation exclamation! LOL! Because after that, it was one incident after another of opening mouth and inserting foot! But what got us laughing here was the fact that everybody saw that image of the woman 3/4 naked in a bikini, even the women were in hysterics! Anyone who truly knew Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior would never even contemplate putting such a trashy and suggestive image at the beginning! So, we immediately knew that there were issues!

The image shows a woman who is 3/4 naked with an attitude of,

"Stop staring at me you perverted men!"

LOL! Talk about the epitome of hypocrisy! With miles and miles of deserted beaches, why do these women have to plant themselves right in the most crowded part of the beach?

Things that make you go hmmm.

If she's so worried about lustful men looking at her, then why doesn't she move her celluloid on down the beach a mile or so! And she's so vain that she probably never thought of the fact that some of those men looking at her were not lusting, but laughing! LOL! As someone would say,

"Get over yourself!"

I had to admit this article was just such an absolutely target-rich environment, that I could not resist!

Back to business, you obviously have no relationship with Christ, but like so many "religious" women out there, you have created a God in your own mind, and that "god" that you created will always love what you love and hate what you hate! And the Bible has a specific term for that…it's called idolatry! And idolatry is an abomination to God!

If you had a true passion for Christ, then you would know God's heart! God's heart is for lost souls! When was the last time you wept over souls that are dropping into hell all around you with each passing day? You obviously could care less about souls, your too busy finding a way to exonerate your sin and perversion! And in the process desperately digging for excuses from scripture to justify it!

I would never lower myself to cat-call to a woman at the beach because I have too much self-respect for myself! And as hot that she might fantasize that she is, she would never be worth an eternity in the fires of hell!

If you cause a brother or sister in Christ to fall because of your extreme lack of taste, virtue, and discretion, then trust me, it is a very big sin!

So, you can see that your private interpretation of Scripture is not working out very well for you!

See, you've been schooled again!

Please, accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, because if you truly knew him, you would desperately be looking for a way out of your sin, and not looking for incessant excuses to stay in your sin!

As I have alluded to in the past, The following is a scripture that I lovingly share with women across Instagram, Facebook, and other social media. Reminding them that when they mindlessly lay around the beach 3/4 naked in a bikini, there are young children only a few feet away staring at them!

"It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around your neck than to cause one of these little ones to fall into sin."
Luke 17:2

Jesus is Lord!

So, spare the subsequent remarks, as you would only be humiliating yourself!

Eva Glasrud link
8/23/2020 08:30:51 am

Whoa -- you again? Obsessed, much? Might be time to pluck out an eye, Tom!

Ann
9/4/2020 02:39:45 pm

Writing this on behalf of myself and a few other girls who read this incredible comment!

We don't think that the world has seen a woman get her lunch eaten so effectively by a man, prior to this! And also her rear-end handed to her by the end of that incredible comment! I love every word you wrote to this deceived bimbo! She displayed her ignorance of the Bible, with flying colors! You are so correct, she should've shut her mouth after the first sentence to save herself the future humiliation when she confessed that she was not an "expert" on the Bible! Because as you said, after that, it was one statement after another of opening mouth and inserting foot!

That makes you, The Man!

Tell me you're single! And you had better invite me to that beautiful beach property of yours on the sugary white sand beaches of Pensacola Beach Florida!

Mr. Colonel, military pilot/airline pilot!

You are, The Man!

And thank you for your boldness for Christ, you are an endangered species! You definitely showed Jezebel exactly who the boss is!

Reply
Tom
9/4/2020 03:14:54 pm

Ann, thank you my dear! And you are a real sweetheart for your kind words! Yes you are correct, my Eva was really not much of a challenge! But everyone knows that she realized that before she even entered the ring with me! But it was thrilling to educate her and "school" her on some very important parts of the Bible! She now understands emphatically, that she is equally as responsible as the men, if not more so because as she knows she was the catalyst that got the ball rolling! As the men are not the ones that spent three hours "arranging" themselves in front of the mirror prior to even going out on the beach! LOL! And then, to have such insecurity about herself as to scream out that the men are perverts for looking! And she knows that we are correct about that! I'm beginning to laugh so hard again right now!

The question is, will she ever actually swallow her pathetic pride and arrogance, and fall to her knees and repent of her sins and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Or will she continue in her delusional state by pointing the crooked finger at someone else, rather than noticing the three that are pointing directly back at her! There is no question that she will always see my victory over her when she mindlessly prances the beach in a bikini after our conversation! She was humbled!

Anyway, I'm usually between the beach property and New Orleans! I was based there for years as an airline pilot, I still love to go! Hopefully, they will get those Carnival cruises going again! They are so fun! They leave out of the Port of New Orleans and go down the Cozumel Mexico!

Take care!

Reply
Eva Glasrud link
9/4/2020 10:22:06 pm

Tom, I can see the IP addresses of the people who post comments, so I know that you and "Ann" are the same person.

Again, I've got to ask: Obsessed, much? Have you plucked out your obsessive, lusty eyes yet?

Justin
3/16/2021 05:12:18 pm

Tom, my love, how could you say those things? I thought I knew you better. Are you “trolling” again? Lol. Love you babe xoxo.

~ Your Husband <3

Dan
9/4/2020 11:01:52 pm

Dearest Tom, the phrase is not “3/4 naked,” it is “half naked.” You should be embarrassed.

Reply
Craig
2/24/2021 07:23:08 am

Dear Eva,

It's the responsibility of both men and women. Men are very clearly called upon to avoid lusting after women. This cannot be argued.

But remember that part of Jesus' point is that God is evaluating our heart, based upon our actions.

When a woman wears a bikini, or low cut top, or yoga pants, or anything else like this, she is drawing attention to her body. Whether or not she wants to admit it, she is trying to gain attention, admiration, interest. This means that she is making herself into an idol, because she is competing for attention and admiration that belongs to God alone.

Idolatry is not merely worshipping pagan gods. It's worshipping anything other than God. This also means that, if you are dressing in a way meant to draw attention to your form, you have set yourself up as an idol in competition with God.

This might sound absurd to you, but remember, God looks at the heart. Jesus teaches that anger is the root of murder, because murder always proceeds from anger/hatred towards another. Superficially, it seems unreasonable to see anger as related to murder, but that is because we do not look and think deeply enough about these things. In the same way, efforts to show off your body- whether you're a man or a woman- is rooted in a desire to have others admire or worship you. And, since only God deserves worship, dressing in this way makes you an idol in God's eyes.

One only need to read a bit of the Old Testament to discover that one thing which provokes God to wrath is idolatry. By extension, anyone who sets themselves up as an idol angers God, too. And, if you would say that we're no longer under the Law of the Old Testament, may I remind you that Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount (which you quoted) gave us a perfected vision of righteousness, always seeking to reveal to people the true heart that is behind the Law. If looking at a woman lustfully means adultery in the heart, equally so dressing to reveal your body is a heart with pride, that desires worship belonging to God.

Please do not believe that Jesus is giving women a free pass while men are held accountable. God will hold both accountable. And if we go on in sinning against God with no intention of repenting and seeking to pray for freedom from sin, there is only one outcome, and that outcome we dare not face.

Reply
Eva Glasrud link
2/26/2021 05:21:51 am

Craig, you are so lucky that God gave you the power of mind reading -- what a rare gift! God didn't make me a mind reader, so when a woman wears yoga pants, I don't magically know what her intentions are the way you do. I'm left to surmise she might have worn them because they are warm, or because they are comfortable, or that maybe she is coming from a yoga class. It's so amazing that you magically know everyone's intentions always. What a lucky guy! What is it like to have God-like powers that allow you to see straight into people's hearts?

It sounds like you might be the idolater here -- you with your imaginary, God-like powers to read people's minds and explain their intentions to me. Get over yourself! Your interpretation of the Bible is silly and self-serving, and it sounds like you don't really know Jesus.

Reply
Craig
3/3/2021 04:53:07 am

Hi Eva,

There's plenty of pants that might be worn which are warm, comfortable. You can wear sweatpants, or even loose jeans, to name but a couple.

For athletic activities like yoga, thin outdoor pants suitable for hiking would certainly be usable, and I am sure there are other possibilities I am not aware of. Modern yoga has been around since at least 1896, yet the modern, very form-hugging yoga pants are a 21st century iteration. Strictly speaking, it's not necessarily to wear these yoga pants to do yoga.

If we're looking carefully, we can see that even with something like yoga pants, one is not only choosing for comfort, warmth, or coming from yoga class. No one can be entirely unconscious of the fact that modern, Lululemon-style yoga pants are meant to show off the human form. Choosing pants like this reflects a conscious choice that entails more than just comfort, warmth, or suitability.

I notice you responded to the part about yoga pants, and your point is that it's not possible to know intentions. However, at some level, the fact that you chose to defend yoga pants, as opposed to say a bikini, suggests you know that men and women dress in ways to show off their form. Even if we allow that my comment about yoga pants is absolutely unfair, and close-fitting modern yoga pants are the only reasonable pants for doing yoga, the broader point still stands: people dress to flaunt and draw attention to their body.

Jesus also mentions what is exalted among men [and women] is an abomination in God's eyes. It's not difficult to see that much of our world exalts and elevates physical form and beauty. For some, their motivation might come from haughtiness, a sense of pride in having power over others. Others might be genuinely motivated by a misplaced belief that they can get the attention or love they yearn for from others, rather than from God. But either way, we dishonor God when we exalt ourselves rather than seeking love from Him and faith in his Son.

The funny thing is, the love God gives us is far better than the love others can. God cares about you and the emotional wounds you have experienced far more than any human possibly can. He is indescribably tender and gentle in caring for you in the ways you feel hurt, rejected, betrayed and shamed.

I can tell that you're thoughtful and genuinely trying to improve yourself, Eva. I walked the path of self-improvement, too. My only wish is for you to know, experientially, how vastly better God's love is than any self improvement that you do. He's what you're looking for.

Eva Glasrud link
3/4/2021 06:51:46 am

Bro, I'm not trying to improve myself -- I'm completely happy with the way God made me. I also know that he wouldn't have made the sun on my skin feel so good if he wanted me to cover up my skin, and he wouldn't have made me in his image if he thought my body was sinful and shameful.

But it sounds like *you* might benefit from a little self-improvement. It sounds like you really worked yourself up trying to think of reasons sweatpants are as good as leggings — which you could only think if you didn't actually do any physical activities. There's no reason to defend bikinis, because no one is questioning bikinis as swimwear, whereas people have questioned leggings as pants. Not only are they pants -- they are the best pants (http://www.thehappytalent.com/blog/leggings-are-undisputedly-the-best-pants-unless-your-goal-is-mosquito-bite-prevention), and I really don't need some silly dude who thinks he's a mindreader mansplaining them to me (http://www.thehappytalent.com/blog/ive-been-wearing-leggings-for-20-years-thank-god-a-man-has-finally-explained-them-to-me).

The hilarious thing about your comment, though, is that you call God "indescribably tender and gentle in caring for you in the ways you feel hurt, rejected, betrayed and shamed." The way you describe him, he sounds like a judgy little bitch who wants to instigate my supposed shame.

I prefer my God over your perverted version of him. Read the Bible. You'll see that Jesus was a radical feminist. It is a shame men came along and polluted his holy message.

Ella
4/12/2021 04:04:24 pm

Craig, you're a joke. When a man wears anything, is it interpreted as him crying out for "attention", "admiration", or "interest", as you had previously worded it for us? Absolutely not. So then why on earth would that be the case for women? You are not allowed to say "Whether or not she wants to admit it, she is trying to gain attention.", nor can you say "She is making herself into an idol, because she is competing for attention and admiration that belongs to God alone". All of that is entirely on you for thinking that that's our goal here. There is nothing wrong with feeling comfortable and confident in our skin. We wear bikinis because we want to enjoy some time by the waters. We wear low-cut tops because it's hot outside. We wear yoga pants because we want to exercise. We wear anything we want to because it is our body, and it is nobody else's business to tell us what we can and can't do with it. And all this "things weren't like this in 1896" bullshit you're spewing is total nonsense. No shit, Sherlock! What damn century do you think we're in? Just because we had different things back then does not mean they were anything near comfortable or functional. We have developed much more practical clothing articles and products over the past 125 years. Have you ever been in a yoga class before? If you have, then you'll know that the room temperature itself is hotter than your breath. These clothes are meant to be functional; to be stretched and not tear, to not trap in excessive heat, and keep the wearer comfortable while working. I've never seen a worse argument.

You cannot speak for women like this as a man, because you will never be able to see what living is like through our eyes. You only see the twisted view of reality that you and every other misogynist have perverted to suit your preferences. Women wear nothing for you, and never will. Hell, with how you're acting, no woman will ever *not* wear anything for you, either.

You never see a woman telling off a man for what he's wearing, but if that's what you need to tell yourself to mend your fragile masculinity, then here's your pacifier you big fucking baby👶

Reply
Craig
3/8/2021 07:30:03 am

Yes, Jesus is a radical feminist. He's also much more than that. If you reduce Jesus or God down to a version that fits your agenda or is "acceptable to you", then you've engaged in a form of idolatry: worshipping a God that does not reflect the wholeness of the Biblical God.

The wholeness of Jesus includes his warning about lust, and his foregiveness of the woman caught in adultery. It also includes things like his remark about things exalted among people being an abomination in God's eyes, and a warning of woe to those who cause others to stumble [in sin].

The heart of Jesus' teaching was loving God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and loving your neighbour as yourself. Someone who follows the trends of the world and exalts their body without repenting of it cannot do the first. And someone who dresses in a way that impacts others such that they stumble without repenting of it cannot do the second.

Eva, please do not continue on in fashioning a Jesus and God to suit your tastes. God is holy and Jesus is holy. Jesus condemns lewdness/lasciviousness, and that includes both those who lust and those who entice with their body- whether they intend to do so or not.

Reply
Eva Glasrud link
3/12/2021 02:27:35 pm

Craig, I believe you are the one who is building some bizarre image of Jesus that has nothing to do with him or his message. Talk about a backwards, self-serving interpretation!

Thanks for the giggle :)

Reply
Craig
11/30/2021 06:34:30 pm

Fantastic comments, Craig. The flak is strongest when you're over the target.

Reply
Eva Glasrud link
12/1/2021 03:51:19 pm

LOL -- you forgot to pick a fake name this time!

Thor
5/5/2021 09:40:09 am

Act in a way that is pleasing in God’s sight. Love your neighbor. Abandon your sense of “self”. Jesus tells us to die to ourselves. Don’t conduct yourself in a way that causes your brothers to stumble and fall. The highest form of love is from the Holy Spirit inside you- if you have accepted Jesus in your heart. Loving your neighbor might mean dressing in a way that doesn’t cause a man to think immoral thoughts and thus falling into a sinful pattern. It’s not all about YOU. It’s about love and living for Jesus, and helping/loving your neighbors even at the detriment of your wardrobe. We love because he first loved US. Don’t love to try and get something in return. Men must do their part in living out a holy life - loving, providing for and protecting their wives. Women must do their part by respecting their men. It’s the cycle that makes the world function in harmony. When someone isn’t doing their part, love/ respect them anyways. It’s what Jesus has called us to do. Hope this helps :)

Reply
Eva Glasrud link
5/21/2021 07:15:10 am

If Jesus wanted me to have the power of mind control, he would have given me the power of mind control. Instead, he told men to pluck out their eyes if they were tempted by something. It was a pretty straightforward statement. I get that there are a lot of angry, hypocritical "Christians" who like to pick and choose which parts of the Bible to listen to. However, I'm talking about a direct quote from Jesus. If you want to ignore His words... I guess that's between you and God.

Enjoy your selective "Christianity"!

Reply
Scripture
5/18/2021 07:48:52 am

Tell me you dont understand the bible without telling me you dont understand the bible. Paul clearly says even if its not a sin, but causes others to stumble, you are to stop.

Reply
Thor
5/18/2021 10:54:40 am

Exactly my point as well. Thanks for sharing

Reply
Eva Glasrud link
5/21/2021 07:12:34 am

Paul is literally a murdering misogynist. Jesus, a radical feminist, is literally the son of God.

Pick your savior wisely.

Reply
Thor
5/21/2021 06:23:35 pm

It all comes down to love as Jesus taught. If you calculate love into the equation you should come up with a different answer than what you are giving. It’s not all about you. It’s about loving others.

Eva Glasrud link
6/26/2021 06:05:37 am

So... love = murder? You're too funny.

Charmaine Davis
7/9/2022 05:34:25 am

I'm so gleeful that you have seen through Paul. You are so correct!. He's a fake apostle, self-appointed. I've searched the words of Jesus and the 10 commandments, not once did Jesus give a dress code or comment on a woman's appearance. But Jesus did comment on men's thought life and indeed it must be ugly. Just like Adam, love to blame women for their own sin.

JMA
8/17/2021 08:47:59 am

I was just talking about misogyny with a friend over coffee, and I mentioned how most of the bible was awful but that Jesus was such an evolved man. And that if Christians would actually behave like Christ, our world could be absolutely amazing! I am absolutely certain that if Jesus showed up again, his Christians would murder him all over again.

When I got back home, I googled Jesus regarding female support and found your page. I enjoyed reading your insights!

Reading through the comments afterwards, what is up with that "Tom/Ann", he's basically Taliban! I'm pretty sure an Incel, also. Although when Tom introduced "Ann", his fantasy men's rights honey badger and the beach house narrative, that was absolutely hilarious!

It's crystal clear how men like him are terrified of their own sexuality, and project their terror and helplessness onto females and their choices. It's truly bizarre and only shows an extreme lack of self awareness.

Many men like to say females are "hormonal". When you hear Tom talk about his sexuality, how uncontrollable it is and therefore he needs women to help control it, you have to wonder, should males as a group really be in charge of anything, ever??? I mean, who is the hormonal one, here?

And Tom/Ann is literally spending large amounts of time searching out females online that make his down-there all tingly and telling them to stop making his down-there all tingly. Cuz God. Cuz Jesus. I cannot even fathom such a low lack of self awareness. One introductory psychology class would show them what projection was, and at least they could try to hide it better.

I was grossed out by Tom until he brought in Ann and then I laughed my yoga pant clad butt off. Thank you for this experience your blog provided!

Reply
Sly sly willy
10/7/2021 08:39:49 am

We all can say this or that and have our thoughts but the Bible teaches truth and we should consider the appropriateness of not dressing in ways to stir up lust and passions unless it’s in private. It’s very true and I feel some women are very immature when they dress about naked and say they do it not to stir up lust. Perhaps we should go one step further and say that thinking also is they have ni respect for themselves and here just anyone look and see. It’s true. Have respect for yourselves and the men you are with. To me these discussions belong with the 13 and 14 year olds

Reply
Eva Glasrud link
10/8/2021 07:32:04 pm

"Sly sly willy." I can tell you are a literal child, because you haven't yet learned to take accountability for your own actions.

I hope some day, when you're a big boy, you understand that only you can control your thoughts and behaviors.

Reply
Chi
11/12/2021 05:08:54 am

Tom and friends.

Kindly provide us with a list of "modest" and "appropriate" clothing that you would recommend women to wear; Or that you think qualify as holy garments in God's eyes.

I want to see something...

Reply
Dejv
11/20/2021 05:31:40 pm

Been thinking about human sexuality. In the beginning we were naked togheter (Adam and Eve) This is the state we were supposed to be in. Any part of our bodies were not ment to make us lust. Maybe we are not behaving as we should? Maybe we are looking at bodies with lust in a perverted way? Like a idolotry. Is it not wierd that humans have to cover our bodies, we were ment to be naked as the animals. They are not humping all day long. It shows that lust is not love, we look at naked bodies the wrong way. It is something natural. But we have perverted it to Good looks and perfect shapes. I dont think it would have been this way of we grew Up naked. But we cant Imagine it. But look at the almost naked tribes in Africa, South America, does'nt make them lust all day long.

Reply
Chisom Igwe
11/20/2021 06:25:15 pm

You make a really good point honestly.

Reply
John Smith
3/21/2022 06:30:45 am

Hmmm, what about these verses?

d “Whoever causes one of these little ones* who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
7
* Woe to the world because of things that cause sin! Such things must come, but woe to the one through whom they come!

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/yes-leading-others-to-sin-brings-greater-punishment/

Reply
Eva Glasrud link
3/23/2022 08:47:38 am

LOL, sweetie. My clothes don't lead people to sin. Do you believe in free will, or not? Grow up and learn to take some accountability. Jesus will like you better :)

Reply
True Heart Ministry
7/11/2022 06:20:50 am


all these words. all these comments. Life is simple if and I say IF

You fallow the chosen word.

God gave us 10 commandment's,

and the ode thing is, you, we, me, others cant even fallow All of them.

But you fallow the law right. stop at a stop sine. go the speed limit. and more of mans laws.

The way to heaven is simple,

but you cant see the forest for the trees.

God bless you all. its your life do with it as you please, God gave all wisdom, what you do with today is up to you, God wont interfere. But he is taking a memo of what you did Yesterday. One day it will all end. Then what. Hope to see you there. Amen

Reply
Sarah
10/15/2022 03:55:59 pm

So many comments from men on here reflect violent, belittling and aggressive attitudes towards women, while at the same time claiming to be righteous.

Violence against women by men is endemic across the world and has been for thousands of years. Reading some of these comments, it’s just the same thing but in words. So much hatred and aggression. This is why we live in a world that needs healing and change.

Please consider the language and tone you use, and what this really says about someone.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    About the Author
    Picture
    Eva is a content specialist with a passion for play, travel... and a little bit of girl power.  Read more >


    Want to support The Happy Talent? CLICK HERE!
    Support the Happy Talent
    Or Find me on Patreon!
    Picture

    What's Popular on The Happy Talent:
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

      Want more?

    Submit

    Trending in Dating and Relationships:
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture



    ​What's Popular in Science:
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture


    Playfulness and Leisure Skills:
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Popular in Psychology and Social Skills:
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Categories

    All
    20s
    Adolescence
    Backpacking
    Boredom
    Boredom Avoidance
    Camping
    Career Advice
    Careers
    Communication
    Confidence
    Consent
    Creativity
    Curiosity
    Dating
    Economy
    Education
    Entrepreneurship
    Fearlessness
    Female Travel
    Feminism
    Free Speech
    Gap Year
    Great Products
    Growth Mindset
    Health
    Hiking
    Hitchhiking
    Life Advice
    Meeting New People
    Mental Health
    Mexico
    Mindfulness
    Most Popular
    National Parks
    Outdoors
    Parenting
    Parenting Advice
    Passive Entertainment
    Play
    Playfulness
    Psychology
    Relationships
    Resilience
    Science
    Scuba Diving
    Self Help
    Self-help
    Sex
    Sports
    Stanford University
    Startups
    Study Abroad
    Summer
    Technology
    Teenagers
    Therapy
    Travel
    Yosemite

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
Photos used under Creative Commons from paweesit, Steven Penton, torbakhopper, Theo Crazzolara, edenpictures, Kiwi Tom, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Homedust, wocintechchat.com, Ralphman, wbaiv, kg.abhi, Jamiecat *, UnitedWarVeterans, D()MENICK, True Portraits, Neville Wootton Photography, Salvation Army USA West, South African Tourism, phalinn, WilliamsProjects, j_bary, Japanexperterna.se, thephotographymuse, Elvert Barnes, ThoroughlyReviewed, hairy:jacques, joncutrer, wuestenigel, Franck_Michel, jimwerner25, Imahinasyon Photography, joanne clifford, m01229, Antonio Campoy Ederra, Our Dream Photography (Personal), shixart1985, davidstewartgets, couples in nature, Dage - Looking For Europe, jonseidman, andymw91, garryknight, wuestenigel, Rosmarie Voegtli, werner.philipps, Gage Skidmore, Novafly, dinuxm1, Eddie Yip, Prayitno / Thank you for (10 millions +) views, DMahendra, James_Seattle, jamkablam, vanitystudiosphotography, Luiz Gustavo Leme, oki_jappo, Daquella manera, CasparGirl, Mary Anne Morgan, inkknife_2000 (10.5 million + views), homethods, wocintechchat, Hypnotica Studios Infinite, dailyrectangle, Tobyotter, torbakhopper, Kevin Johnston, David Robb, eisenberg_emily, True Portraits, Douglas Pimentel, pmarkham, Noize Photography, rawdonfox, dollen, davidstewartgets, ed and eddie, Ryosuke Yagi, Anthony_Greene, Ruth and Dave, best couples, Jenn Durfey, Cost3l, Orin Zebest, anjanettew, dollen, Editor B, Alexander Day, LyndaSanchez, polosopuestosblog, UpSticksNGo, Agência Brasil, homethods, Find Rehab Centers, Novafly, Deornelas4, buzzern, seefit, C. VanHook (vanhookc), University of Delaware Alumni Relations, Franck_Michel, gordontarpley, Chris Photography(王權), usadifranci, virgohobbs, TheUglySweaterShop, popofatticus, Mitya Ku, Stefano Montagner - The life around me, Official U.S. Navy Imagery, xxxology, Valentina (GaiaPhotography), True Portraits, Lars Plougmann, Scioto Photos, Carlos ZGZ, quinn.anya, anokarina, amtecstaffing, mliu92, sfbaywalk, MakaiylaW, jerseytom55, Ray in Manila, BoldContent, stevenbates, Janitors, True Portraits, dwhartwig, Kuruman, sffoghorn
  • Blog
  • About
  • Popular
  • Education
  • Social Science
  • Travel
  • Products
  • Contact