Modest Attire

I. Introduction:

II. Text: 1 Timothy 2:9-10

III. Principle of modest dress is introduced in the Garden of Eden.

A. Before sin, Adam and Eve knew no shame, Genesis 2:25.

B. Immodesty was introduced with sin, Genesis 3:6-7.

C. Soon followed the first observation on modest and immodest clothing.

D. Adam and Eve made clothes out of fig leaves, Genesis 3:21.

E. They had clothes but hid themselves from God because they still considered themselves naked. One can wear clothes—insufficient clothes—and be considered naked by God and oneself. God made them sufficient clothing, Genesis 3:21.

F. The issue of immodesty is a consequence of Adam and Eve’s sin.

G. Since it is a part of our world, we must be aware of it. Some dismiss it as irrelevant; the Bible does not.

IV. Immodesty is a sin because it causes others to lust.

A. Matthew 5:27-50

B. The person lusting has to answer for his own sin. However, when a person dresses provocatively, they sin as well.

C. We must be diligent to keep our thoughts pure.

D. Sometimes we must take ourselves out of a conditions that would arouse lust.

E. Change channels Not watch provocative movies or read magazines full of lustful pictures. Not go to places where most people will be dressing immodestly. Jesus used the comparison of removing your eye! He understood how important it is for us to control ourselves. No one (man or woman) is immune.

F. Luke 17:1-2; Woe to us if we are the offence that causes someone to stumble.

V. Some clothes are designed to provoke lust.

A. Mary Quant, the designer of the mini-skirt, said that she designed the mini-skirt for sex. She said, ” Miniclothes are symbolic of those girls who want to seduce a man.”

B. Some clothes are not as risqué but are designed to reveal attractive areas of the body (both men and women).

C. Designers generally design for sexual appeal.

D. Article Fashionably Sexy (SIFY Entertainment web site): ” Even out here, designer Suneet Varma’s latest line was labeled under the erotic mystique of the Seven Deadly Sins, and Savio Jon quite recently showed us that bizarre can be beautiful. “Fashion is completely related to sex,” says designer, Rocky S. “Everything you do is for love and sex, and people wear fashionable clothes especially for attraction and attention. Hence, clothes have gotten more raunchy, with the louder, the better!” Adds model Fleur Xavier: “This relationship can be positive if designers use it in a manner that’s flattering to the woman —’cause as we all know, a lower neckline always grabs more attention.””“The relationship between sex and fashion is really about feeding ones vanity and grabbing attention,” says fashion photographer, Subi Samuel. “Not only advertising but even fashion editorials are increasingly using sex appeal in pictures.” (IBID)

E. Even the Bible warns of those who dress to entice, Proverbs 7:10-13.

F. ” Attire of a harlot” did not need a more detailed description. This woman is dressed this way in order to lure a man into adultery.

G. Our clothing may send messages that we do not intend!

VI. Christian modesty

A. The Christian must be careful to wear clothes that do not excite lusts in normal members of the opposite sex.

B. Some people are going to lust no matter what. That is a psychological issue and is not our concern here. What we are concerned with is attire that would make a normal Christian man or woman lust or be embarrassed for the person so attired. Some things may be modest when standing up but when sitting down or bending over could be very revealing. We must be cautious.

C. 1 Timothy 2:9-10

D. Modesty

E. Webster: ” Unassuming, restrained, decent, not excessive” Vine’s: ” Orderly, well arranged, decent” Opposite of lasciviousness (which is condemned in Galatians 5:19.

F. Propriety

G. KJ: Shamefacedness Thayer: ” A sense of shame, is prominently objective in its reference, having regard to others.” Vine’s: ” A sense of shame, modest. That modesty which is rooted in character.”

H. Moderation

I. KJ: Sobriety Young’s: ” Prudence, moderation” Webster on prudence: ” Cautious or circumspect in determining an action or line of conduct. Careful of the consequences.” Webster on moderation: ” To restrain from excess of any kind, to reduce in intensity (rage, passion, desire, joy).

J. Exegesis

K. One concern Paul addresses is over-dressing.

L. Some are dressing in a gaudy or excessive way in order to bring attention to themselves for what they are wearing instead of who they are inside. That is certainly an issue, but too little clothing, that produces the same effect would also be addressed by his admonition.

M. Women (and men) should be more concerned with who they are on the inside than how they appear on the outside.

N. Women and men should have some concern about their appearance but we must not give undue and inordinate attention to it. Modesty is the goal, moderation is the key.

VII. Bible principles

A. We have already shown that skimpy clothes in the Garden of Eden were insufficient.

B. Paul’s letter to Timothy teaches women especially, but the application would apply to men as well, to dress with moderation, sobriety—modesty.

C. Exodus 28:40-42 - Clothes of the priests

D. They were to have clothes from their loins to their thighs to cover their nakedness. Though this is the Old Testament, a principle should be learned when determining what is nakedness in God’s sight.

E. We read where Jesus pronounced woes upon one who makes another stumble, we must regard our attire in this light, Romans 14:21.

F. Ultimately we must have respect for our bodies and respect for the conscience and souls of those whom we come in contact with and dress appropriately.

VIII. Dress in worship

A. As a side note, though we must dress modestly in all areas of our public life, it should especially concern us when we come to worship.

B. One should never dress in a provocative way in the worship services; our minds are to be on God.

C. We must see if our attire reflects our attitude towards worship.

D. We are to approach God reverently in our attitude. Our appearance should also reflect a reverent spirit. We do not need to rent tuxedos, nor do we have to spend great amounts of money on our attire; however, if we dress better for a date or an important worldly occasion, should we not dress as well or better to worship God? We can become too casual in our attire and soon too casual in our attitude and approach to God irreverently. We must be careful.

IX. Conclusion

A. Like most things, our clothes:

B. Must not conform to worldly ideas that are opposed to Bible principles. Must be kept in their proper perspective—fundamentally a covering. Must not be the focus of who we are.

C. We must be aware of the message our clothes are sending to others and make sure that we are sending an honorable message.

D. We must look out for the souls of others, and in doing so, our own souls, when we choose our attire.

E. We must submit to God’s will, not self-will.

F. How short is too short? What is too gaudy? What is too tight? Too loose?

G. Elders aren’t going to sit at the exit with a tape measure, etc. These are questions each person must answer using God’s word, godly principles, and guidance from God’s people if necessary. However, be thankful if an elder or another godly person brings questionable or unsuitable attire to your attention. They care for your soul.