In our previous
article, “Controlling Influences,” we discussed the
outside influences that impact our lives, as well as how our own examples
affect the lives of others. Throughout
this article, we will continue to examine those types of influences, but with a
particular focus on how our modesty or immodesty affects others, Christians and
non-Christians alike. This study is
particularly important because modest apparel seems to be taken for granted by
many Christians today and they don’t honestly consider how their clothing
affects others or what it says about their own spirituality.
The approach we will
take in this study is somewhat different than many other Christians take when
discussing modesty. We will not attempt
to set specific lengths for how long pants, skirts, etc, have to be, but rather
we will discuss the attitude(s) behind modesty/immodesty and what our clothing
says about our attitude.
How often have you
heard fellow Christians that are going on vacation say that they cannot wait to
wear their new swimsuit, or that they just bought a new pair of shorts, etc?
How often have you heard something to the effect of, “I don’t FORCE anyone to
look at my body” while having a discussion on modesty? Or perhaps you have heard
the argument that since the Bible does not give an exact length for pants or
skirts, then you cannot either. True,
the Bible does not state that our pants are to be 32.5 inches in length, nor
does it say specifically that we shall not wear bikinis, swimsuits, shorts, or
short skirts. Remember, however, that
the Bible does teach modest attitudes, and also that we are not searching for
negative authority. Let us turn our
attention to some Bible passages and see exactly what it does teach us about
modesty.
What does 1 Timothy
2:8-10 teach us about modesty? It teaches us that we are to be holy, which
speaks to who we are and what our attitude should be towards obeying God. We also learn about the two sides of
immodesty: propriety and moderation.
Propriety is understanding what is appropriate to wear (i.e. – nothing
revealing), while moderation keeps us in check on the other end of the spectrum
(i.e. – not drawing undue attention because of costly clothing/jewelry). What are these components of? Attire proper
for women professing godliness! Also note that the term “in like manner also”
found at the beginning of verse 9 connects this attitude of modesty back to the
men in verse 8.
In 1 Peter 3:1-6, we
are taught that adornment is not to be concentrated on the outward, but on the
inward. Our dress should reflect the
beauty of the incorruptible spirit that is within us. We are taught through this passage that the
attitude of modesty begins with the chaste spirit and that there were many
godly women throughout the Bible that expressed this exact attitude! Again,
what does this lead the Christian to? To the proper attitude and mindset
(Philippians 4:8)! What is the point of
all of this? To be precious in the sight of God! This is to be done to show
respect for God, for our fellow Christians, and also for ourselves. By doing this, we keep ourselves pure and
holy so that we can receive a greater reward than being able to wear
inappropriate clothing on this earth!
Sadly, there are some
Christians that advocate a “grey area” in our service to God, especially
concerning modesty. The grey area is
when someone tries to get as close to the line of sin as we can without going
over it (consider it this way: how short can we wear our pants/skirts before
crossing the line into immodesty?).
However, what does it take to create a grey area? You have to mix light
and darkness together. Consider 1 John 1
in which we learn that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all (1 John
1:5). How can we advocate a grey area in
our obedience when there is no darkness at all in God? If we attempt to walk as
close to some imaginary, self-proclaimed line of sin without going over it,
then we have already crossed it! Romans 8:5-6 tells us that there are two
mindsets: one is concentrated on the spiritual while the other is concentrated
on the carnal. Thus, our intent
shouldn’t be to pursue the carnal (advocating a grey area for our own personal
desires), but rather on the spiritual (getting closer to God)…no matter what
“sacrifice” we have to make on earth!
With these concepts in
mind, let us turn our attention to what our attitude should be towards our
brethren. John 13:34 teaches us that we
are to love one another as Christ loved us.
Additionally, Hebrews 10:24 tells us that we should consider one another
in order to stir up love and good works.
How can we possibly fulfill either of these passages if we cause others
to stumble spiritually because of the way we dress (Luke 17:1-2)? Our goal should
be to love one another and for all of us to reach Heaven. How can we
consciously do something on this earth that makes us “happy” if it harms other
Christians?
Finally, what does our
modesty/immodesty say about how we respect ourselves? As was written in 1 Peter
3, our attire reflects what we actually think about ourselves. When we dress in inappropriate clothing, we
disrespect not only God and our fellow Christians, but also ourselves! We are
to keep ourselves unspotted from the world (James 1:27), be pure in action and
thought (2 Timothy 2:22), and have purified hearts (1 Peter 1:22). After considering all of these passages, it
is impossible to honestly advocate immodest apparel!
So, as we conclude,
consider that in Proverbs 7, we learn that there is attire that is
“appropriate” for a harlot and that it provokes thoughts and feelings in the
opposite sex that are improper! The world understands this concept and that
clothing insinuates something about the wearer, but it seems that many
Christians deny this fact. We need to
stop being selfish and carnally minded, and concern ourselves with the care and
well-being of our fellow Christians! So, as we conclude, ask yourself what your
attire says about your approach to obeying God and how you care for your fellow
Christians.
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