Indecent Exposure

Last month's blog pinpointed my next topic as Relationships and Time Management. I even wrote the message. However, that is not what God wants me to write about this month. As a matter of fact, when He gave me the title, I was shocked and said, "Nope!" But I'm going to be truthful and write as the Holy Spirit leads me.

Let's look at the following scripture:

"And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed" (Genesis 2:25).

 
 I want you to think of Adam and Eve's pure state in the Garden of Eden before they sinned. Once you visualize that thought, I now want you to fast forward to how our society is today. If you were to walk out of your house the way Adam and Eve were created, you would get arrested. Why? Because time has changed. Prior to the fall, the appearance of man - which was nakedness - reflected outward and inner integrity. They were not created to live with guilt or shame.

However, man's disobedience polluted what was deemed as normal and acceptable in God's eye, to what is now interpreted as indecent exposure. Legally, this term is defined as "intentional exposure of part of one's body in a place where such exposure is likely to be an offense against the generally accepted standards of decency." In many states, it requires three elements:

1. Exposure
2. Intent
3. Obscenity 

So, while outward nakedness in public is forbidden; spiritual nakedness is what God is looking for in us. During our intimate times with Him, He is not looking for us to come before Him with fig leaves - trying to pretty ourselves up, or trying to hide imperfection with perfection. He wants us to disclose our state of ugliness, when we are spiritually unfit and need His help.

The Bible says that our righteousness is as filthy as rags (Isaiah 64:6). So, we all have a level of being unfit. Yet, God is sovereign, loving, graceful, and merciful, and still desires to have us come into His presence. 

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).

When you look up the word boldly in its original text, it constitutes the following elements:

1. Freedom in speaking, unreservedness in speech
2. Openly, frankly, i.e without concealment
3. Without ambiguity or circumlocution
4. Without the use of figures and comparisons
5. Free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage, boldness, assurance
6. The deportment by which one becomes conspicuous or secures publicity

 As a matter of fact, as you read a few verses before, you see that God's Word is designed to cause indecent exposure spiritually.

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12).

I am now in a season with a new circle of influence. Someone asked me on Sunday during my church's Holy Spirit Encounter, "Are you okay?" And as I answered, "I'm fine." They said, "No, you're not!" Next thing I know, that person wrapped me in her arms and allowed me to cry, speaking words of encouragement. Another person asked, "Are you okay?" Again, I said, "Yes, I'm fine." Well, that person looked at me like I had four heads, and I knew she could see the internal struggle to fight the tears.

Truthfully, I'm a bit upset at times. I often say, "God, I used to get away with it before. My pain and struggles were hidden behind my smile." When I shared my feelings with a friend, she said, "That means God is opening you for healing and wholeness. But most importantly, God's allowing it to happen in a safe environment for you - with people who can handle you being stripped and still love you anyhow - despite feeling ugly and unfit."

So, I encourage you today to know that God's presence is a safe environment to become spiritually naked and unashamed. It's a safe environment to cry, to show brokenness, to disclose your wounds, to release your anger, to become free from unforgiveness, rejection, abandonment, and whatever hindrance you have in your way. I also pray that God surrounds you with people who can accept your indecent exposure spiritually and not exploit you in a time of weakness and vulnerability.

As I conclude, let's consider the following analogy. Imagine yourself soundly sleeping in your bed, tucked in under the warm covers. Suddenly, someone walks in your room and snatches the cover off of you. I don't know about you, but I would feel startled and disturbed. My immediate reaction would try to snatch my covers back.

Well, that's what God is capable of doing to us at times when He's allowing us to be broken in order to be molded in the palm of His hands and made whole. It may seem like He does it brutally; but it's done with love, forcing us to see our current condition. So, when that happens to you, don't fight God and try to snatch the covers back to continue hiding. Drop the fig leaves! It's only through complete transparency that He can heal, restore, reform, mend, and deliver.

God bless you! Thank you for reading!