September 12, 1997 (David W. Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061-0368, fbns@wayoflife.org) - On September 5 we published an article "Are Men Lusting after Your Wife or Daughter?" and the response has been interesting. On September 9 we published some responses to this article, but we want to share a few others that we have received since then --

NOTE FROM A READER: "Greetings from Japan. I enjoyed your article about women's apparel. I couldn't agree more. It's a shame more people don't stand firm to that conviction."

NOTE FROM A READER: "Your response to the woman who disagrees with the fact that a woman's dress causes a man to lust after her was great. It most certainly IS our responsibility and our burden. Why do I say that? I am a woman and have the same feelings and thoughts as other women. I must also add that when I was not saved, I dressed like the world for one reason and that was to attract the gaze of another man (including that of my husband). After I got saved, I became a NEW creature and immediately changed my way of dressing ... the very same day! I started dressing modestly, not because a preacher told me, but because the Holy Spirit instilled that in my heart. My husband did not permit me to go to church at the beginning of my salvation but I was studious and read my Bible for 4-5 hours per day. The Holy Spirit taught me how to dress, act, speak, etc. To be perfectly honest with you, I was so in love with Christ that most of this came naturally. I cannot understand why a saved woman who loves Christ would dress immodestly. We're suppose to be new creatures with all OLD things passed away. God bless you in your stand, brother."

NOTE FROM A READER: "Great article ‘Are men lusting after your wife or daughter.’ It is great to know that not all have bowed to Baal. There are more men than Elijah thought that have not compromised on this subject. Thanks for the encouragement."

NOTE FROM A READER: "Your stand on women's dress is both needful and appreciated. I cannot, however, accompany you 100% of the way down this road. By this I mean that men are responsible for their actions, thoughts and decisions. While I DO agree and find your references sound concerning the culpability of the female "enablers," I think it is unwise to give any man a built-in excuse to for his sin. We MUST be able to control ourselves in the face of multitudes of people and circumstances that we cannot control. I am not entirely comfortable with what I perceive as the suggestion signaled to women: ‘You need to make it easier on me not to sin because I just don't have that much self-control!’"

REPLY FROM BRO. CLOUD: No one here is lightening up on man's responsibilities. We were just pointing out the "other side of the coin."