Kendall Jones, a teenage girl from Texas, has recently received some attention over pictures that have appeared online from her hunting trips to Africa, showing her with various animals that she has killed. Understandably, people will have different opinions about whether someone should be hunting such animals. However, some of the reactions to these pictures are disturbing to say the least.
One of the disturbing reactions has come from Mike Dickinson – a Democrat politician running for Congress in Virginia. He has offered $100,000 for nude photos or videos of this teenage girl.
There are several troubling points we could notice from this story. We could notice the sad fact that many who attack Kendall Jones for killing animals are the same ones who zealously advocate for the murder of unborn babies – human beings that are formed by God and made in His image (Psalm 139:13-16; Genesis 1:27).
We could also consider the wretched state of our society when a man who represents a political party that enjoys the support of roughly half of the population would publicly seek to obtain sexually explicit photos or videos of a teenage girl. The wise man said, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). Sadly, Mike Dickinson is not some pervert who is an outcast from society – he is running for political office with the support of one of the two major parties in the country.
But for the remainder of this article, I want to focus on what this man believed was worth $100,000 – nude photos or videos of a teenage girl. Why would he think to ask for this? It is because he knew that such images might exist or could be obtained.
Before we continue, let me clarify that previous statement. I am not calling into question the character of Kendall Jones. I know nothing about this girl other than the fact that she has hunted some animals in Africa. However, when Mike Dickinson made the offer to pay for nude photos of her, he knew only as much about her as I do – that she has hunted some animals in Africa.
This is not about Kendall Jones. This is about young girls in general. The sad reality is that the combination of modern technology and a sexually-driven society has resulted in many young girls having sexually explicit photos and videos of themselves posted on the internet – some that have been posted by the girls themselves and some that have been posted by others. The images that have been posted by others may have been obtained and published online with or without the girls’ knowledge.
It is important that we remember the following phrase from Peter’s first epistle: “As they observe your chaste and respectful behavior…” (1 Peter 3:2). In the context, Peter was specifically talking about the responsibility of wives. However, the principle certainly applies to any female. All Christians, men and women, are to be chaste and modest (cf. Revelation 14:4; 1 Timothy 2:9-10).
The need for young women to be chaste and modest is nothing new. But the consequences for failing to be chaste and modest can be far greater in our modern age.
- Young women have always needed to dress and act “modestly and discreetly” (1 Timothy 2:9). But today one’s immodest apparel may be posted in a photo on a friend’s social media page for everyone to see. Even if the photo was taken in a private setting with only other females present (such as at a slumber party), it is no longer private when it can be viewed by a mixed audience of people from all over the world.
- Young women have always needed to save their bodies for the sexual fulfillment of their husband or future husband after marriage (1 Corinthians 7:2-4). But today there is the temptation to use one’s smart phone to send sexually explicit photos to someone else in order to gain their attention and approval.
- Young women have always needed to wait until marriage before engaging in sexual relations (Hebrews 13:4). But today one may have photos and/or video taken of such sexual activity – even without her knowledge – that can then be uploaded to some website where it can be viewed by anyone with an internet connection.
When Peter mentioned chaste behavior, he connected it with respect or fear (KJV). A woman’s modesty in apparel and action shows a respect for her husband (or future husband) in saving herself for him (1 Peter 3:5), for other men by not putting a stumbling block before them (Matthew 5:27-28), and for God by obeying His instructions about modesty (Ecclesiastes 12:13; 1 Timothy 2:9-10). It is important that young women conform to the instructions found in the Scriptures rather than the expectations and peer pressure of the wicked world in which we live. As Paul said, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2).
There are plenty of evil, perverted people in the world. Most of them will not have $100,000 to offer for sexually explicit photos and videos of you, but that does not mean they are any less interested in seeing and sharing them. Be on your guard at all times and conduct your life in such a way that others can “observe your chaste and respectful behavior,” not your sexually explicit photos and videos.
Any, this is another excellent article on what the Scriptures teach (and require).
Andy, how sad it is to see how evil our world has become. My head is kept dizzy by constantly shaking it over the evil things I see all around me. It is hard to believe the degradation our society has slunk too over the years of my life span. When I was a child abortion was against the law. Now it is promoted by law. When I was a child homosexuality was against the law. Now it is promoted by law. Nakedness on the part of females was a disgrace. Now it is praised and plastered all over the media. Sin only gets worse, like cancer, it does not get better on its own. Once the leadership of a nation starts promoting evil, how can anyone expect the people to stop it? Evil loves evil and the same can be said of evil people who embrace it.