I was just thinking about this earlier question today and was considering posting about it. Then, just now, I heard a lecture linked from another thread where Paul Washer give the perfect quote to frame my question. He says, "If your clothing is a frame for your face it's of God. If your clothing is a frame for your body it is sensual and God hates it." My question is why is it good to show off one's face and not good to show off one's body? How can this view be supported from scripture?

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Scott Roper
Member, Redeemer Presbyterian Church (PCA): "A bunch of hippie Calvinists"
Winston-Salem, NC

I think he was suggesting that looking at a woman's body vs. her face is the difference between sexual lust and using a woman for pleasure vs. knowing a person by her face because it identifies her as a unique individual, and a daughter of God.

I don't think we can make a hard and fast rule over it, but by and large the face, and particularly the eyes, are "the windows to the soul", and is associated with reason and communication and higher senses.

The body is more associated with utility, and sensuality, and is more "primitive".

The face should be framed because one should be looking at a person as a person, and not as a means to an end (fulfillment of lust).

So I'd say that any Scripture that talks about selflessness, and modesty and self control, and taking every thought captive, and looking out for the interest of the other, and love for neighbor, etc.... would all apply here.

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Christopher Hinton
Northland, A Church Distributed;
Altamonte Springs, FL

This is one of those threads where I post and forget that I made the post.

I think you are on to something. I wonder if it is better to recognize that one of the utilities of the face is communication and one of the utilities of the body is sex. Since communication is a type of intercourse that is done with everyone, the face ought to be the focus in public.

I'm not sure I'm comfortable with calling the body more primitive, although I recognize you put scare quotes around it.

Don't underestimate the power of facial expressions. A wink can be just as dangerous as showing off the body.

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Bill Brown
Elder
Grace Baptist Church
Anne Arundel County, Maryland

Click to get: Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?
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This is what came to my mind as well. It may be true that the face has one function that is communicative in nature. But I would not understimate the sensual power of the eyes and mouth.

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DAVIDIVS DOCTVS VTRIVSQVE LINGVAE
Husband of Emilia
Member: First Reformed Presbyterian Church of Durham (RPCNA) - Durham, NC
Currently in the process of transferring membership to an as-yet-undecided church in Chapel Hill
Student: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, German Literature and Classics

Yep, I like the "frame for the face" idea as well - the quote above illustrates very well the goofiness of the hijab/tight jeans combo (I just can't picture it). When she dies, will Allah send her top to Paradise and her bottom to Hell?

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Kevin
Far East
Deacon, Int'l Church

So, I have learned from winking women.

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Ryan
1689 London Baptist Confession

if you have learned a lot from winking women,you had better stay clear of Potiphars wife:
7And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.

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Anthony D'Arienzo
Sunday School Teacher
Hope Reformed Baptist Church:
Medford, N.Y.

The only thing I can learn from winking women (outside of my wife) is to run like crazy!

I like that principle he sets forth also. I don't think there is a specific verse in mind here but good and necessary inference. It is a matter of wicked idolatrous heart. If you wear something because it makes you look sexy and you want men to look at you then that is idolatry and you are causing men to sin. You want yourself worshiped in a sense.

If you just wear something to be simple and plain and cover the parts that need covering then you are framing your face.

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Traci
Lynnwood OPC
Psalm 52:8-9
8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.
9 I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.