Lori and her husband, Greg, invited all of us over one summer afternoon for a barbecue. “We have an in-ground pool, so bring your swimsuits,” Lori said. John, Amy, Rachel, and I arrived, and I began helping Lori in the kitchen. When Heather, her oldest daughter, walked into the room, I couldn’t help but notice that she sported a one-piece swimsuit with a jaw-dropping neckline that barely covered her developing figure. She was all of thirteen years old, yet she was dressed like the typical cleavage-baring celebrities you see on the red carpet. I was shocked, and I didn’t know how to respond.

I prayed silently, What will I tell my girls when they say, “Well, her parents let her do it, and they’re Christians”? Fortunately, all four girls didn’t seem to share the same interests and didn’t get together again. I was grateful that Amy and Rachel chose a different path.

In our culture seeing women and even young girls dressed in skimpy outfits has become commonplace. Women may feel pressured to keep up with contemporary styles—whether it’s plunging necklines or hemlines that show way too much leg. But just because the Bible was written centuries ago doesn’t mean its message is out-of-date. Psalm 119:89 says, “Lord, Your word is forever; it is firmly fixed in heaven.” No matter what the world may tell us about fashion or any other topic, obeying God’s Word is always appropriate.