The Need for Nakedness

I want to discuss nakedness.

Do I have your attention yet?

When God created Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, he didn’t give them any clothes. His perfect will was for them to remain naked. “And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed” (Genesis 2:25).

Now, Karen and I are not nudists, nor do we support or condone that practice (just in case you were wondering). But we do believe this verse reveals an important biblical truth that has deep significance for your marriage and ours.

God intended marriage to be a place of complete “nakedness.” Not just the physical absence of clothing, but a state of mental, emotional, and spiritual nakedness.

That’s what Adam and Eve enjoyed in the Garden. They were exposed before God and each other. They shared themselves, living in an atmosphere of intimacy and openness.

That picture shows a perfect marriage relationship—one lived according to God’s plan. We weren’t created to expose ourselves to everyone we encounter in life, but we were created to be vulnerable and intimate with our marriage partner.

It’s instinctive. Marriage begins with a desire to share with one another. But for this to occur, it must happen in a safe, protected environment.

When we can undress ourselves before our spouses in body, soul, and spirit—without shame or fear—our marriage is in a healthy place. A strong, intimate relationship can develop.

But if we can’t expose ourselves completely before our spouses, it means we are hiding something. This hidden thing is dangerous. It needs to be exposed, because God created us with a need for nakedness.

This need is not about simple physical exposure, but rather the exposure of everything about you. In a healthy marriage, the lives of both partners should be open and honest. You need to open up and reveal yourselves—but not just anywhere or with anyone.

Healthy nakedness is only appropriate between spouses. Special friends and family can accommodate our need for exposure to some degree, but it’s limited.

Marriage is the only place God intends complete vulnerability to happen. He created it that way.

Do you and your spouse live lives in which you can both say you are naked and unashamed? Whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, is anything hidden from each other?

If so, it’s time to undress in front of your spouse. Stay tuned for next week, when we’ll discuss some of the difficulties in taking this step.