The heading of this article is taken from Proverbs 7:10. Each reader could profit much by taking time to read that entire chapter now before reading further in this article. The chapter is a warning con­cerning the “strange woman which flatter with her words.” Many characteristics are mentioned. “She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house” (verse 11). When the young man came to her door she kissed him, professed faithful fulfillment of religious vows and peace offerings (such hypocrisy!), assured him her husband would be gone a long time, and suggested fulfillment of lust. Note the last seven verses of this impressive chapter. “With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flatter­ing of her lips she forced him. He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteneth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life. Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth. Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths. For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her. Her house is the way to hell going down to the chambers of death.”  

The last chapter of the book of Proverbs describes the virtuous woman whose praise is far above rubies. She fears the Lord and has the respect and love of her husband and children. Her faithfulness, indus­try, wisdom, kindness and thoughtfulness of others stand in bold contrast with the flattery, stubborn­ness, hypocrisy, and unfaithfulness of the “strange woman.” There is clothing or attire that befits or identifies character. The “attire of a harlot” is not described, but the very mention of such proves that there is such attire. Evidently it would be the type clothing that would indicate a lack of modesty and chastity. It would be the type to invite lust. Garments that indicate a bold disrespect for discretion and chastity would belong to the attire of the harlot and are unseemly for people professing godliness. 

Is there any danger or cause for alarm in common brief attire of our day? If not, we might ask, could there be unwise and indiscreet styles now? Could there be lust provoking clothing if modern customs offer no such examples? Is it possible that people generally — even members of the church — are copy­ing the patterns of a very ungodly element at Holly­wood with no regard for scriptural suggestions and principles? Christians should “abstain from all ap­pearance of evil” (I Thess. 5 :22).  

Gold, pearls, expensively decorated hair, costly ar­ray, etc., are unwise, also (I Tim. 2:9). The scriptures insist upon emphasis on good works, the meek and quiet spirit, and chaste manner of life (I Peter 3:1-6). This would be a better world if more aged women taught younger women “to be discreet, chaste, keep­ers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed” (Titus 2:4,5). The Bible is a great book to bless each life it touches. Why do we regard it so lightly and ignore its warnings? 

Some aged women dress in the attire of a harlot today. Do any dare deny this? Who then is left to teach chastity, modesty and discretion? Any who are well aware of the great value of the meek and quiet spirit should proclaim their warnings from the house tops. Our nation is grievously distressed by divorce, fornication and adultery. Do we expect more faith­fulness with the current cheap literature, triangular love affairs in pictures in theaters and television, and prevalent lust provoking attire? The hope lies in Christians who are willing to act as salt of the earth in turning the tide back toward decency and modesty. 

Children should be trained to be chaste. Parents are the ones who buy the brief clothing and discour­age and laugh at any sign of modesty. To see an immodestly dressed child hide from one whom she respects in the church is a sad sight. The modesty that is there will soon be crushed and there will be no shame. The ability to blush has about been de­stroyed. Parents, the souls of your children are in­volved in this careless behavior. Even the influence in the community may cause others to stumble. 

“Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matt. 5:28). Is it possible that the woman who has the “attire of a harlot” shares in this guilt? If so, this is no small thing. David saw Bathsheba as she bathed herself. This bathing beauty provoked lust in the heart of this great man. Think how much better it would have been if she had bathed in private. Adultery, murder, and other sins grew out of this. It began as this beautiful woman exposed her body before one of the opposite sex (II Sam. 11). How many thousand times have similar things happened? Was David the only guilty party? If your daughter’s bold disregard for chastity leads to a similar sin, would you also be guilty if you allow and encourage the “follow the crowd” styles of the day? Would preachers who refuse to warn of such danger also be guilty (Ezek. 33:1-10)? 

Would Bathsheba’s being at home excuse her? Some indicate that how one would dress in her own house and in her own yard is her own business. Bathsheba may have been at home, but she was not hidden from her neighbor, the king. The “strange woman” of Proverbs 7 was in her own house when she came to the door “in the attire of a harlot.” It would be no more lust provoking at some other door or in some other yard. 

Those most bold wore their immodest attire at home first. They met their guests, hurried into their own yard on errands, and gradually became more and more bold. Why should women dress carelessly be­fore their children and their friends? Is it for com­fort? This is an age of air conditioners and less manual labor. Our modest grandparents did hard manual labor and knew nothing of air conditioners. The boldest may be found on the streets in immod­est dress in the early spring or the late fall. Comfort is by no means the explanation. 

Physical education classes, band programs and other school programs have their influence in pres­suring young people to fit in with the crowd. Parents could prevent this, but they lack conviction or cour­age to speak up generally; so the young people are left to follow the most degraded suggestions that are made. Could we have very pleasant performances of school bands without the suggestive dances of scantily dressed majorettes on cool fall nights? Must immodesty be demonstrated on every hand? 

It takes some courage to raise any objection be­cause the reaction is bitter. “What business is it of his?” some will ask. Some make the ridiculous sug­gestion that the criticism should be made in private to the majorettes. Parents who allow it, teachers who suggest it, and the public that applauds share the guilt and need to hear the criticism. Must sin be publicly paraded with only a whispered rebuke (I Tim. 5:20)? 

While there is a fiery criticism against one who questions the wisdom of beautiful young ladies being made a gazing stock before hundreds at a ball game, there are many who approve the warning. No efforts are made to joint out weakness in the words of warn­ing. Harsh words of personal hate are the only ef­forts to answer the speaker who points out danger. These words are almost all made to his back. What could one say in defense of immodesty and a lust provoking dance? Parents, teachers, neighbors, use your God-given ability to speak out in favor of “chaste behavior coupled with fear” (I Pet. 3:1-6). 

Most young people “follow the crowd” to have friends and be happy. None can follow all groups because all do not have the same standards. As one fits more and more into the worldly group, he cuts himself off from the strict group who walks in the narrow way. Christian young people find much to bring joy. “The way of the transgressor is hard” (Prov. 13:15). “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace . . . against such there is no law” (Gal. 5:22, 23). The Lord knows best and the Bible is right. Choose ye this day whom ye will serve! Let members of the church follow the principle of life the Christ has given us that those of the “contrary part may be ashamed having no evil thing to say of you” (Titus 2:7,8). The breastplate of righteousness is important (Eph. 6:14). Spots, blemishes, wrinkles, and such like are not to mar our lives (Eph. 5:27, 28).