Are swimsuit magazines of women considered pornography?

[mere5]

Men lust after a woman in a turtle neck sweater as much as a swimsuit or anything else. Lust is a problem no matter what a woman has on!

 

[Fragrant Grace]

Men lust after a woman in a turtle neck sweater as much as a swimsuit or anything else. Lust is a problem no matter what a woman has on!

That may sometimes be the case.
However, that doesn't change the biblical instruction that women are to dress modestly.

In like manner also that women adorn themselves in modest apparel with shamefacedness and sobriety
1 Timothy 2:9

 

[mere5]

I definitely agree. However I personally feel uncomfortable in any clothing with some men. I sometimes get my husband to pump my gas just so I don't have to get out and have such an uncomfortable feeling in my stomach. Lust doesn't just affect the man who is struggling with it. It also affects us as women who have to feel uncomfortable with it.

 

[Edward]

I definitely agree. However I personally feel uncomfortable in any clothing with some men.

Proverbs 30:30-32 Amplified Bible (AMP)
30 The lion, which is mightiest among beasts and turns not back before any;
31 The war horse [well-knit in the loins], the male goat also, and the king [when his army is with him and] against whom there is no uprising.
32 If you have done foolishly in exalting yourself, or if you have thought evil, lay your hand upon your mouth.

So what is it that God is telling you with an uncomfortable feeling, these are things you need to examine for your yourself.

1 Timothy 2:9-10Amplified Bible (AMP)
9 Also [I desire] that women should adorn themselves modestly and appropriately and sensibly in seemly apparel, not with [elaborate] hair arrangement or gold or pearls or expensive clothing,
10 But by doing good deeds (deeds in themselves good and for the good and advantage of those contacted by them), as befits women who profess reverential fear for and devotion to God.

I sometimes get my husband to pump my gas just so I don't have to get out and have such an uncomfortable feeling in my stomach.

Lust surely is a sin, yet a lady of Christ that properly adorns herself is no part of the Sin. Yet as men of Christ if we look upon all woman with lustful eyes, that is not dressed in the proper manner. Not only did we sin, she also owns part of that sin if she professes herself as a Christian.

What bothers me most about Christians today, is what they see as a problem, Christ sees as an opportunity. That uncomfortable feeling in your stomach, may just be the Holy Spirit calling you to take advantage of this opportunity to profess and witness Christ as your lord and savior. This could be done as simple as walking over and handing them a pamphlet on how to receive Christ. (always take heed of your safety first) This may be something you wanna talk about with the women of your church. or something you and your husband can do together, when you get that uncomfortable feeling. You may be surprised when you do this, for I do remember a time when I rode motorcycle and yes we did look like a burly bunch of men. When that young couple came up to us to profess the name of Christ, they where in for a surprise, as the bible came out of the saddlebags and we shared how Christ was working in our lives.

Proverbs 14:2 Amplified Bible (AMP)
2 He who walks in uprightness reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord, but he who is contrary and devious in his ways despises Him.

Psalm 84:11 Amplified Bible (AMP)
11 For the Lord God is a Sun and Shield; the Lord bestows [present] grace and favor and [future] glory (honor, splendor, and heavenly bliss)! No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.

Yes I am a man, and there are times when I slip and for a moment see with lustful eye's. That is my Sin and I always ask for forgiveness. But that would not stop me from walking among the prostitutes and perverts professing the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ our savior. The question always is, Lord what more can I do to serve you.

This may have been a topic about sports illustrated swimsuit addition, and other magazines that may be viewed as pornography, but really it's about how much more spiritual growth do we need as a Christian.

May all we do and all we say bring a Honor, Glory in Praise to God.

 

[Chad]

I like things simple and not complicated, even when teaching Scripture. Things don't have to get complicated. So, here's my attempt at a simplified look of this subject.

Men

Matthew 5:28
But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Women

1 Timothy 2:9
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,

Both Men & Women

Ephesians 5:3
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.

Don't forget, GOD knows your heart. He knows if a woman is dressing in a way to get attention (sexually) or flirty. He knows if a guy is looking at a woman lustfully. There's no escaping the fact that GOD knows it all. More importantly, we should respond to GOD's grace in repentance (that's the purpose of grace isn't it?)

 

[Fragrant Grace]

I definitely agree. However I personally feel uncomfortable in any clothing with some men. I sometimes get my husband to pump my gas just so I don't have to get out and have such an uncomfortable feeling in my stomach. Lust doesn't just affect the man who is struggling with it. It also affects us as women who have to feel uncomfortable with it.

Greetings @mere5
Please forgive me if my questions sound blunt, I do not intend them to sound judgmental in any way.
You feel nervous going out incase men lust at you?
How do you know this is happening?
What sort of places does this happen in?

For the modest demurely dressed Christian woman going about her daily duties concerns about lusting men shouldn't really happen.

I know a few extremely naturally beautiful Christian ladies, who because of their beautiful humble demure Christlike characters do not ever get troubled by these issues. That is true beauty.

My husband will always tell me if I am wearing anything even unknowingly slightly revealing. It's a helpful prompt to remind me of a woman's call to be modest. In the same way I prompt my two oldest daughters in their clothing.

Sister, you shouldn't be feeling the way you do take these issues to the Lord in prayer. He will lead you and guide you in the right way.

Be ye therefore followers of God as dear children; and walk in love as Christ also hath loved us , and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour
Ephesians 5:1

 

[mere5]

No offense taken. This happens every where...gas stations, grocery stores, when we go out to eat...the mall.... I dress very moderately. I can be in a coat, scarf and jeans and see men drive around in a circle while I'm trying to get out of my car with my children praying the whole time that they don't stop and say anything. I've had to switch places with my husband at dinner because he noticed a group of men keep looking at me numerous times and I was covered up completely! My husband has me terrified about men because of the way he describes men and how they look at a woman, no matter what they are wearing, and over the years I have noticed it myself. It's really awful especially when you are just trying to do normal daily activities!

 

[Br. Bear]

I dress very moderately.

Greetings @mere5

by modest, do you mean as you appear in your avatar? (if that is you, of course)

Going back to swimsuit magazines, they are selective advertising and use 'model' examples to attract potential sales. It is quite obvious that they leave out miss or mrs average and that they do for a reason, being marketing tactics.
Men and women (especially in the 'western world') are subject to a form of conditioning from young, way before they reach adulthood.
The idea of what is attractive is 'planted' as to the typical 'barbie doll' image, the heroines of 'disneyland' the posters and advertising seen all around, the television and movie players, etc etc.
What goes from there is the 'standard' classification of what is a beautiful woman.
From there it is no different to seeing a banknote (money) on the footpath or in the bushes or wherever. The glancing eye sees it. The lust looks quickly again due to the gratification it may bring. The action from there is usually to pick it up and pocket it, of course, doing so hoping nobody sees you do it!

Now, the modern world does not have the monopoly on lust and looking at women lustfully or with any intent (as David did, for example).
However, the 'olden days' did not have swimsuit magazines and all the lead-up and extra seduction material that we have today.
The principals are the same, and the love of money is still the root of all evil.

Bless you ....><>

 

[Fragrant Grace]

This happens every where...gas stations, grocery stores, when we go out to eat...the mall.... I dress very moderately. I can be in a coat, scarf and jeans and see men drive around in a circle while I'm trying to get out of my car with my children praying the whole time that they don't stop and say anything. I've had to switch places with my husband at dinner because he noticed a group of men keep looking at me numerous times and I was covered up completely! My husband has me terrified about men because of the way he describes men and how they look at a woman, no matter what they are wearing, and over the years I have noticed it myself. It's really awful especially when you are just trying to do normal daily activities!

Greetings @mere5

May I suggest that you are living in the unrealistic fear and almost brain washing that your husband has planted into about men.
What you are describing makes it sound like you think you are being followed by the paparazzi .....which unless you are some kind of super model isn't the case

Yes men will look at women, beautiful women, plain women, curvy women, short haired women, long haired women etc etc
It doesnt necessarily mean they are lusting about you

Commit this fear and anxiety to the Lord, pray about it with your husband
Pray that people see Christ in you..His perfect beauty...and nothing else

God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross
Galatians 6:14

 

[mere5]

Ha definitely NOT a super model. :laugh: It's not just the looking as the inappropriate things they say. My poor pastor's wife is extremely moderate and she deals with the same thing all the time. I use to not notice my surroundings until my husband made me start paying attention for my safety.
I think this has definitely gotten off course from the original topic. I was just trying to prove a lustful man lusts no matter what a woman wears or looks like.

 

[The✞savior]

No, Not really I mean, it depends on How she look's in the photo and you respond to the photo. Like I have seen amazing art, some of them are naked, But I don't consider it lust

 

[Br. Bear]

Greetings,

Married men have chosen on whom they will look and are told and advised and warned to look no further.
Single/un-married men quite naturally might seek after a spouse and the attention they give and the 'ideal' woman is too often portrayed as one who is not only useful as a friend and companion but is good looking and will keep the potential husband very happy in all things. The men tend to judge a book by it's cover. They choose commercially grown modified food rather than organic and home grown. The lust of the eyes over-rides being practical and sensible and all decency, the mind fills with hopes that are not enduring but men allow themselves to dwell in the short lived thrill that can be anticipated even if only in their wishful thinking or vivid imaginations.
So men will naturally look at and upon women. Men generally want a companion and it is quite normal that they should and do notice women.
The problem lies in both the married men and unmarried men being enticed and led silly away by their flesh, often turning the innocent and pure into an object of their personal gratification.
Magazines that set forth women as seductive objects for gain are best avoided and given no place in the eyes of men and women.

Women also can be seduced into both impure thought and fantasy and action(s) AND seduced into thinking that they have to copy or imitate the things they see in magazines OR that they are inferior to the glamour girls seen in magazines such as swimsuit magazines. This can have a detrimental effect upon the women as well as on men.
A man who seeks a good woman does not want to find out that the woman he thought to be sound is actually hung up on her looks and comparisons with other women.
Likewise a woman does not want to discover that the reason the man she married did so was for her slinky looks and in fact still has a wandering eye for scantily clad or not women.

Un-married men should (just as un-married women should) keep themselves pure.

Overall, the magazines that promote swimwear, as being discussed, are best put down and walked away from. They will only really be of any value to a very few. The rest, as covered so far in this thread, will not be wearing such items for whatever reason is appropriate and fitting to and for them.

Bless you ....><>

 

[William Christopher]

I was just trying to prove a lustful man lusts no matter what a woman wears or looks like.

My flesh lusts, but a moderately dressed woman can help convict that lust in me as it happens. I'm grateful when I see one.

 

[Br. Bear]

Greetings,

Galatians 5:16-25 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Romans 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

Bless you ....><>

 

[CallingOnHim]

It was encouraging to me to see that every single vote was cast a "yes."
The vast majority of swim suit pics are in mags that promote sinful, lust filled thought. And the fact that Sports Illustrated has a bikini clad model on the cover is proof to me that some men view women as merely a "sport", and not the help mate God intended them to be. They are not showing the attributes of the suits in these photos, but instead posing the bodies seductively. I guess since the porn industry likes to categorize lusts by calling them "fetishes", that "women in 'bikinis' " is just one of these fetishes.
I will even go as far as to say that bikinis are not really swimsuits, but lust suits. To me a swimsuit is for the sole purpose of having something to swim in. I am modest and have always preferred a one piece suit. To divide it up into 2 pieces is for the one reason only of showing more skin, think about it.
If you like to purchase your swimsuits via mail instead of in person, the only way to go in my opinion is through a catalog from a reputable department store that sells other household items as well, and not the ones that only deal in swimsuits and underwear--even thought they are not as bad as some, they still get a little too "arty' with the photography if you know what I mean.

 

[Curtis]

I do not believe a lady wearing a swim suit is pornography, but it can be a huge "distraction" to the one seeing it. Ever been to the beach on hot sunny day? What about a guy wearing a swimming suit, is that pornography?

 

[Edward]

Hmmm Curtis, what do you think of this scripture and how do's it apply here.

“Do not love or cherish the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world–the lust of the flesh [craving for sensual gratification] and the lust of the eyes [greedy longings of the mind] and the pride of life [assurance in one's own resources or in the stability of earthly things]–these do not come from the Father but are from the world [itself]. And the world passes away and disappears, and with it the forbidden cravings (the passionate desires, the lust) of it; but he who does the will of God and carries out His purposes in his life abides (remains) forever. Boys (lads), it is the last time (hour, the end of this age). And as you have heard that the antichrist [he who will oppose Christ in the guise of Christ] is coming, even now many antichrists have arisen, which confirms our belief that it is the final (the end) time. They went out from our number, but they did not [really] belong to us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us. But [they withdrew] that it might be plain that they all are not of us. But you have been anointed by [you hold a sacred appointment from, you have been given an unction from] the Holy One, and you all know [the Truth] or you know all things. I write to you not because you are ignorant and do not perceive and know the Truth, but because you do perceive and know it, and [know positively] that nothing false (no deception, no lie) is of the Truth. Who is [such a] liar as he who denies that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah)? He is the antichrist (the antagonist of Christ), who [habitually] denies and refuses to acknowledge the Father and the Son. No one who [habitually] denies (disowns) the Son even has the Father. Whoever confesses (acknowledges and has) the Son has the Father also. As for you, keep in your hearts what you have heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the first dwells and remains in you, then you will dwell in the Son and in the Father [always].”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭2:15-24‬ ‭AMP‬‬

 

[Curtis]

Hmmm Curtis, what do you think of this scripture and how do's it apply here.

“Do not love or cherish the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world–the lust of the flesh [craving for sensual gratification] and the lust of the eyes [greedy longings of the mind] and the pride of life [assurance in one's own resources or in the stability of earthly things]–these do not come from the Father but are from the world [itself]. And the world passes away and disappears, and with it the forbidden cravings (the passionate desires, the lust) of it; but he who does the will of God and carries out His purposes in his life abides (remains) forever. Boys (lads), it is the last time (hour, the end of this age). And as you have heard that the antichrist [he who will oppose Christ in the guise of Christ] is coming, even now many antichrists have arisen, which confirms our belief that it is the final (the end) time. They went out from our number, but they did not [really] belong to us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us. But [they withdrew] that it might be plain that they all are not of us. But you have been anointed by [you hold a sacred appointment from, you have been given an unction from] the Holy One, and you all know [the Truth] or you know all things. I write to you not because you are ignorant and do not perceive and know the Truth, but because you do perceive and know it, and [know positively] that nothing false (no deception, no lie) is of the Truth. Who is [such a] liar as he who denies that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah)? He is the antichrist (the antagonist of Christ), who [habitually] denies and refuses to acknowledge the Father and the Son. No one who [habitually] denies (disowns) the Son even has the Father. Whoever confesses (acknowledges and has) the Son has the Father also. As for you, keep in your hearts what you have heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the first dwells and remains in you, then you will dwell in the Son and in the Father [always].”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭2:15-24‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Edward, yes the world is evil, and we know that world is passing away, and the lust in it but we still live here. Should we stay indoors and not go out into the public, and if so how will they hear the Gospel of their salvation, or how will they see Christ in us?

1Co 5:9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—
1Co 5:10 not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world.

 

[Lanolin]

I don't know, I don't read swimsuit magazines, as I don't really swim.
And if I wanted to see some togs I can just put them on and look in the mirror.

uh..not sure what the point is. Although, yesterday I was at a takeaway buying dinner and there were these magazines for the customers to flick through while they were waiting, mostly womens ones. Anyway, they are pretty trashy and full of gossip. I saw this one had an article of Heather, Paul McCartney's former wife. She was the one that had no leg. Anyway there was a pic of her posing in skis on a mountain and get this she was wearing a swimsuit!

I'm like what??? Why would you wear a swimsuit to go skiing???????

 

[Shutterbug]

Pornography can be as simple as ogling the Women's undergarment section in the Sears catalog. I assure you they are hired to model garments for a clothing line, not to entertain someone's juvenile fantasy.