Earlier this year, I recall reading an article in PARADE magazine. In it, it had an interview with pop superstar and actress, Miley Cyrus. It definitely interested me, because I'm a big fan Disney, and the people apart of it. It started really good...you know, about her music, and other things. Then she went on to talk about God, and how big He is in her life. Then, I read something that kind of caught me off guard.
She started talking about how people criticize her all the time about her immodest dress. She started saying how dressing modestly is old school, and that it really doesn't matter. She also said that she honestly didn't think God would condemn her to hell simply for wearing short-shorts.
After reading this, my respect for her began to falter. Then, when the song and her music video for “Can't be Tamed” came out, it was completely gone. I had originally thought of her as someone of good morals, and someone who was a good role model. That image was entirely shattered for me.
Since these incidents, it has only gotten worse. If anything, I seriously worry about a lot of the choices she's made...and she's not even 18 yet (not that it matters, really. There are plenty of stars who are better role models than she is at that age, maybe a little younger). It almost seems like she's trying to be like Lady GaGa and Katy Perry-two people are are truly talented, but are wasting their talent away on a trashy images. Which is definitely the way Miley seems to want to be going.
Miley is trying so hard to grow up and be an “adult” star it seems. Nothing wrong with that, in and of its self. But, I feel like there's a better way she could do that. Just look at people like Taylor Swift and Demi Lovato, for instance. These two young women are trying to grow up their image some; but they don't include taking off their clothes, or writing trashy music as the ways they're choosing to do so.
The issue I want to look at is what it truly means to be a woman and growing up.
Many young people today have this mindset that to grow up, they must do grown up things. True, right? For the most part. But some young people have also seemed to gain this mindset that wearing less, and doing sexual things and dressing immodestly gives them a false sense of control...which what some people feel are keys to growing up: control over your own life; doing what you want to do.
First off, let's make one thing very clear: dressing immodestly, and doing sexual things is NOT going to make you seem like a grown up...nor is it going to make others respect you. Respect for yourself and maturity are the keys to growing up. Not flaunting yourself, or giving yourself away.
Proverbs 11:22 says, “Like a gold ring in a pig's snout, is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.”
Basically what this is saying that a woman who flaunts herself is, in God's eyes, has lessened her value. A gold ring in a pig's nose isn't going to be worth much afterward, is it? Who's going to want the ring after it's been in a pig's nose? As far as I know, a pig's nose isn't the most lovely place in the world.
A woman who knows her worth and value isn't going to put herself forward as someone who gets disrespected. She knows that to get respect, she must dress in such a way to get that respect. She's also going to conduct herself in such a way as to get respect from those around her.
If she thinks that the only way to get attention and love is to flaunt herself, I believe she's sadly mistaken. Miley, for whatever reason, has gotten sucked into this notion. She's doing more and more controversial things to get that attention. If she's hooked on it, there's no telling how depraved she'll become, thirsting for more and more until her public loses interest, and there's not much left she can do.
What about a regular girl? Are there situations comparable for them to Miley's? Yes! For instance, a girl is feeling unloved, and the first guy that shows interest in them, they fall head over heels. Then, to keep him interested, they keep doing more and more sexual things to keep him “interested” in her. The thing about sin is that it carries you further than you expected to go (unless you have a reality check that knocks you upside the head.). Then, the guy isn't going to care one bit about the girl, and eventually lose interest, and move on to something else.
The more that girls keep being involved in this vicious cycle, the more heartbreak they'll face. That's exactly what sin does: it tears you apart until there's only a thread left. It beats you down until you don't have a leg to stand on.
One of the biggest reasons I believe God doesn't want us to sin isn't because He want's to control us and keep us from having fun. I believe that the biggest reason is because He loves us, and doesn't want us to get hurt. Every form of sin there is, we could literally sit down and name all the bad things to come from them, and the kinds of pain that result.
Did you know that when a two people participate in sexual activity, a chemical gets released from the brain and creates a bond between the two people? When that is broken somehow, it can result in depression and self -esteem issues. Just think about how many girls have slept with so many guys, and the mental state it can leave them in! It can be devastating! Not to mention, there's the very real possibility of contracting a whole host of sexual diseases. These girls just get so addicted to participating in these activities because it gives them a reason to feel happy...waiting for the next time that they can feel for a short time that they're worth something to someone.
A young Christian woman needs to stay away from things that could deplete her self esteem. Dressing immodestly can do this as well. Some might say it can actually up her self esteem, but I think it's just the opposite. Yes, momentarily it might. But over time, a girl may think that the only way to receive the attention she desires is to dress that way. She begins to lose respect for herself, and can in some cases lead her to do other things that can ruin herself even more.
Also, dressing immodestly causes another problem: A woman dresses as sexy as legally possible, then, when she's trying to get the attention of the guy she wants to lure, a bunch of other guys she has no interest in flock to her like flies to rotten meat. This makes people respect her less, and she can ruin her reputation simply by what she wears. This makes her an easy target for guys. Some guys might have a mindset that because a girl is dressing a certain way, she puts off an image of wanting things she may or may not want. And, while rape is never a woman's fault, and the man has a choice, women can make themselves easier prey for guys like that. Being in places like parties can increase your chances of getting raped, as well. Some guy might slip drugs or alcohol in your drink and take advantage of you.
The things I mentioned above, as we see, can actually inhibit the maturity of someone.
With Miley Cyrus, the problem with her is because she's in such a high position. She has no idea the influence she has on society. So many wide-eyed girls stare in fascination at her and want to be just like her. She has said that she has no problem with little girls watching her latest videos. She might as well say she has no problem with little girls dressing like her. She might as well say she has no problem with young girls dancing on poles.
So many girls are such huge fans of her. If she is going to act this way, she should not be surprised that other girls are going to do the same, therefore setting off a whole host of problems for them.
Girls, we need to realize that little girls look up to us! We need to be examples to them of strong Christian women that respect themselves. When they see us, they need to see a better way of living life, and maybe through our influence, they can see the kind of person they need to be. We do not need to be like some of these celebrities who could seriously care less about the influence they have over young kids...or anyone for that matter. True Christians need to care about how others see them! I cannot say this enough! (Matthew 5:16)
God loves you so very much. He wants so much for you to be beautiful inside as well as out. As I was saying before, growing up doesn't necessarily mean you do “grown up” things. It means respecting yourself, and striving to be a better person. What matters it what God wants for us. He knows more than we do, and we must understand that.
Proverbs 31:30 says, “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain. But a woman who fears the Lord she shall be praised.”
We should all strive to be young women that God can use and be proud of!
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