Swimming Around Guys

I believe that it’s fine to go swimming with guys, as long as I wear a modest bathing suit. I’ve heard others say we shouldn’t go mixed swimming at all. What do you think?

For most of us, it would be a new way of thinking to change our lifestyles when it comes to swimming arrangements. And probably a lifestyle that females think nothing about, but a change that guys would, honestly, probably not want but would benefit from. Guys have an incredibly hard time controlling their eyes and thoughts. They will be tempted to lust over females no matter how modest the bathing suit is or isn’t.

To go swimming in the presence of the opposite sex is not in itself a sin, but I do believe there are many things we should not do to keep a brother or sister in Christ from stumbling (1 Corinthians 10:32). Avoiding mixed swimming may be one of those things. A girl going swimming with guys may cause many of the guys to stumble and fail at controlling their eyes and keeping their thoughts pure. Truthfully, the best way for you to avoid causing males to stumble and to respect guys in that area is to change your swimming arrangements and to only swim with other girls or with family.

This can be applied to so many other situations in life other than swimming, such as wearing revealing clothing at work, or even church. But the point is to be mindful of those around you and their walk with God, as well as being pleasing to God. It’s also important to remember that guys are created differently than girls, and that includes sexuality. Although it may not affect you, or tempt you sexually, when you swim with the opposite sex, it does affect and tempt guys. While I think this is a struggle that is hard for girls to comprehend, it is something you seriously need to consider when striving to please God.

By Adam Grimenstein