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SUMMER IS QUICKLY approaching...
The retail stores are full of lighter and shorter
clothes to accommodate the warmer climate. Finding
modest dresses and shorts are harder and harder each year.
The world cares little about God's standard of modesty.
It is embarrassing to walk around in public places and see the
attire of some, or the lack thereof. Society has made it
more difficult for families and congregations to stand firm on
the issue of modest apparel...
Modesty is a Bible topic. Since the very
beginning of time, God has spoken about how He desires His
people to be clothed. He made "coats of skins"
to cover Adam and Eve as their attire of fig leaves provided
insufficient coverings. May we also note although Adam
was covered by this apron of fig leaves he knew it was not
adequate and thus told God he was naked (Genesis 3: 10).
Therefore, a person can have some clothing on and still be
considered naked by the Lord.
The standard for modest dress can be understood in
the light of the following principles:
1)
Godly
attire always covered the thighs of a man and woman
(Exodus 28: 40 - 43; Isaiah 47: 1 - 3). The exposure of
one's thigh was considered nakedness in the sight of God.
2)
New
Testament writers admonished women to be "discreet
[and] chaste" and to "adorn themselves in modest
apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety"
(Titus 2: 5; 1 Tim. 2: 9). Our dress should not draw
attention to our bodies or cause us to be ashamed and
embarrassed if we find one of the opposite sex looking at us.
A woman who wears immodest clothing will usually tug and pull
on it when others look upon her skimpy outfit.
3)
The
apostle Paul taught us to bring out a RULER to address
this issue. "And
let the peace of God RULE in your hearts, to which also you
were called in one body; and be thankful"
(Colossians 3: 15). Would I walk down the street in this
outfit with my Lord? Would what I am wearing invite
others to stumble (Luke 17: 1 - 2)? Is what I am wearing
in harmony with purity, honesty, goodness, virtue, love, and
praise (Philippians 4: 8)? Is my outfit designed for
sexual appeal and arousal and thus inviting sin to knock on my
door? Remember, fornication begins with the eyes
(Matthew 5: 28).
Modest apparel is not old fashioned, out of date, or
out of style. It reflects our mind-set and lifestyle.
May we so dress as to exemplify our Savior and denounce sin.
Rob
L. Whitacre, "Bringing Out the Ruler" |
