Take Back the Night?
“But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ… And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” 1 Thess. 5:4-9,23,24
Perhaps you have listened to news reports of women marching through city streets loudly protesting and saying that they were taking back the night – a reference to the violence against women and their lack of safety on city streets at night. They were going to take back the night from all of the men who had stolen it from them. And maybe you have listened to news reports about young women protesting about society’s outdated dress standards, and flaunting their naked or near naked chests and legs for anyone and everyone to see. Do these two seemingly unrelated events actually have a relationship? Our society that has become very feminized says no, but what does inspiration say?
“Women are too often tempters. On one pretense or another they engage the attention of men, married or unmarried, and lead them on till they transgress the law of God, till their usefulness is ruined, and their souls are in jeopardy. The history of Joseph is left on record for the benefit of all who, like him, are tempted. In principle he was firm as a rock, and he answered the tempter: ‘How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?’ Moral power like his is what is needed now.” T 5 596
And how do they engage the attention of men? Of course, through the powerful means of sexual attraction, which is bound up in our minds with reproduction – survival itself. But it need not be thus, for as we go on to read: “If women would only elevate their lives and become workers with Christ, there would be less danger though their influence; but with their present feelings of unconcern in regard to home responsibilities and in regard to the claims that God has upon them, their influence is often strong in the wrong direction, their powers are dwarfed, and their work does not bear the divine impress. They are not home missionaries, neither are they missionaries away from the home; and frequently home, precious home, is left to desolation.
“Let everyone who professes Christ seek to overcome all unmanliness, all weakness and folly. Some men never grow up to the full stature of men in Christ Jesus. They are childish and self-indulgent. Humble piety would correct all this. Pure religion possesses no characteristics of childish self-indulgence. It is honorable in the highest degree.” Ibid. 596-597
Did you notice that Sr. White, a very active and vital woman, who accomplished so much in her life, mentions the neglect of home responsibilities in this passage? Isn’t that precisely what the feminist movement is all about? Modern women say that they want to be free from home responsibilities-that they don’t need to look after the home, or even the children, because their self-fulfillment is more important? So they leave their God-appointed place in order to seek their place in the world. But are women any more happy today than they were a hundred years ago? I would venture to say no, and I believe that most modern commentators, if they were honest would have to agree. Even they are asking, “What do women really want?” For so many of them get to the age of thirty or forty, and then realize that their life is nothing without a husband, and/or children, so they give up their careers, and try to have families. But the modern phenomenon
of the super-woman has given way in many circles, to those who appreciate staying at home, and fulfilling their God-given role.
1 Tim. 2:15 Does anyone know how many children Sr. White had? Was she a good homemaker? Yes, she got very involved in planting, building, cleaning, canning, cooking – so she didn’t think that was degrading work, though she also accomplished much writing, speaking and publishing in her life, as well.
And of course the Bible foretold the very state of society under which we suffer today. 2 Tim. 3:1-5
This message is not only for women, but men also, because you notice that the statement in Testimonies Volume 5, includes the self-indulgence of men. Have you noticed that wherever there is much self-indulgence, there is also much crime? One leads to the other, isn’t it? For when men and women have no sense of God, they will have no sense of right and wrong. And man, being physically stronger, will take what he wants from those that are weaker. When women indulge their sense of power over a man, he will resent not being able to answer those strong desires, not lawfully aroused, and indulge himself through inappropriate ways. How can women take back the night, when Satan is inspiring them to inspire men to immorality? A woman has a very potent power in her sexuality, but if not converted to Christ, this will be a powerful influence to tempt and seduce, to hurt and destroy .
Look at the history of Samson – who was physically the strongest of all men, but morally he was the weakest of all men. And in his story we can read the end of all of those who will not be converted on moral questions. Yes, perhaps they believe but do not come to the place of actually yielding obedience to their Saviour. It is no small matter to submit the desires, passions and purposes of life to Jesus, but this is the only thing that will mean peace and fulfillment for the youth.
Here’s another statement from the pen of inspiration for you, which is quite prophetic, I think… “There is an increasing tendency to have women in their dress and appearance as near like the other sex as possible and to fashion their dress very much like that of men, but God pronounces it abomination. ‘In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety.’ 1 Tim. 2:9.
“God designed that there should be a plain distinction between the dress of men and women, and has considered the matter of sufficient importance to give explicit directions in regard to it; for the same dress worn by both sexes would cause confusion and great increase in crime.” CG 427 Isn’t that exactly the situation today? Almost all the clothing styles are called unisex- one form for men and women.
Why is there so much crime? Well, lots of social commentators will try and tell you that it is because of drugs or because of society itself, but here is a deeper root cause that inspiration talks about, and don’t laugh because it is not me saying it, but rather the spirit of God. And it makes sense, because how much confusion is there about sexual identity as well as anger and resentment that fuels crime, today?
As Inspiration says the dress question is very important in last days events – for this is at the very heart of the great increase in crime. Physically, mentally, morally and spiritually – there is much increase in crime today, isn’t it? We commit crime against ourselves when we fail to dress properly, by violating the laws of health. We commit crime against others, weak, perhaps and ready to fall without much of a push, so how necessary it is for us to uplift the dress reform amongst those professing godliness. When this Reformation first started out, there was a clear distinction between the dress of men and women. And now, more than ever we must uplift the dress reform, for it is about faithfulness to the seventh commandment, and the preservation of the family itself.
But there has come in a liberal element to God’s people very much in the past few years – have you noticed? Some apparently amiable church leaders, not wanting to offend, and “only wanting to uplift the love of God” have studiously avoided presenting this question to their churches. Newly converted young men and women come into the faith thinking that is perfectly all right for them to dress like they always dressed, except perhaps on Sabbath, they will wear a different style of clothes. Is this pleasing to our Lord, Jesus Christ?
Ex. 32:6-8 What was the result of their idolatry? Music, dancing and nakedness. Exactly like today – human nature hasn’t changed much, has it?
The only way that we can effectively take back the night, is if we become children of the day. Only if we are not of the night nor of darkness, can we walk with Him in robes of light. The logical end of Dress Reform is to address the situation between the sexes – to ensure that there is a proper reserve and sense of propriety between the sexes.
Now it is true we do not make the dress question prominent in our message, because we want to uplift Christ, and Him crucified. In reality though, we will be judged by the way that we dress ourselves, for our dress, as Inspiration tells us, is an index to the heart.
And what did He say would be the result of walking and talking with God? John 14:15-21
To put this in practical terms: Romans 14: 23 James 4: 17 Yes, young people, and older ones, God is speaking to us, to square our lives with the gospel. To actually put into practice what we know. If we know Him as Saviour, it will be the most natural thing in the world to obey Him, isn’t it? 1 Cor. 10:31
No matter if it is our manner of entertainment or dress, our eating and drinking – it will all be in harmony with God’s word. Gal. 5: 24 ; 6:14
May we see Jesus and Him crucified, whereby the world is crucified unto me and I unto the world. Romans 6 In fact, we have to be dead to sin. Now what does that say to you about going along with the ways of the world in the way that we dress?
I don’t think there could be any more of a definite word to strike at the carnal heart, could there?
May His Holy Spirit gain the victory in our clothes as well as in our attitudes, for in this way it will be seen that we truly love Him and want to serve Him. We will not be of the night nor of darkness in the way that we dress. We will truly take back the night, for Inspiration tells us that women and girls that dress modestly will avoid a thousand unseen dangers. Amen
Jerry Eaton