Practicing Holiness: Modest Dress

2004050

Topic # 2155

Introduction:

A. Touchy subject.

1. Some resent questions & teaching on this subject.

2. We have an obligation to make sure our dress is appropriate & modest.

3. There is a proper code of dress that we must adhere to.

4. How is your dress?

B. When discussing this subject, there are a number of standards we must be careful not to be ruled by when it comes to this topic.

1. What I think.

2. What parents think.

3. What other Christians think.

4. What friends think.

5. What the world (fashion industry, media, etc.) thinks.

C. Therefore, we must be content in following the one inspired standard.

1. II Tim. 3:16-17; Jn. 17:17, II Pet. 1:3

I . A Look At The Beginning.

A. Before sinning, Adam and Eve enjoyed a special relationship with God and each other.

1. Notice how God describes their condition:

a. Adam & Eve were naked and not ashamed. Gen. 2:25

b. After the sin, they made fig leaf coverings to hide their nakedness. Gen. 3:7

c. Though partially, still naked. Gen. 3:10

d. God then made garments (tunics) for them. Gen. 3:21

B. Some practical lessons to consider:

1. One is biblically naked if:

a. He/she is totally nude – Gen. 2:25

b. He/she is inadequately clothed – Gen. 3:7, 10; Jn. 21:7

2. One does not need to be totally nude to be biblically naked!

a. Our concept of nakedness, might not be God’s concept. Isa. 55:8-9

II. New Testament Guidelines. 1 Peter 1:14-16; 4:1-5

A. If we claim to be holy, we must be practicing holiness.

B. Notice what the New Testament says about proper dress:

1. I Tim. 2:9

a. Proper (modesty, KJV) – “a sense of shame”

b. Modestly (shamefacedness, KJV) – “orderly; well arranged; decent”

c. Discreetly (sobriety, KJV) – “of sound mind; self-controlled”

2. Maintain male/female distinctions – Deut. 22:5; I Cor. 6:9

3. These standards apply to all people at all times.

a. Regardless of cultural changes.

III. Guidelines For Acceptable Biblical Dress.

A. If there are no guidelines, there is no violation of law. Rom. 4:15

B. Unacceptable bodily coverage:

1. Adam’s and Eve’s fig leaf covering (loin cloth).

2. Lower body – unexposed thighs, not covered properly. Ex. 28:42-43; Is. 47:1-3

3. Upper body – no indication of coverage.

C. Acceptable bodily coverage:

1. God’s garments (tunics) – A sleeved garment reaching from the top of the shoulders, down over the thighs, to the knees.

2. "Tunic was a garment, meanings to cover; a shirt...a kimono-like inner garment reaching to the knees or ankles, as worn next to the skin. Both men and women wore tunics made from cotton, linen, or wool. ...The earliest of these garments were made without sleeves and reached only to the knees. Later, the inner garment extended to the wrists and ankles." (Nelson's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Bible Facts, p. 482-482)

3. "This garment usually had long sleeves, and extended down to the ankles when worn as a dress coat, and was held in place by a girdle. Hard-working men, slaves, and prisoners wore them more abbreviated--sometimes even to their knees, and without sleeves--as shown on the Behistun inscription." (The Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary, p. 225)

D. How do our wardrobes compare to these lists?

1. “A great number of men are of the opinion that women are more attractive partly dressed than nude. They prefer to see women partially disrobed to the sight of complete nakedness. In many cases the development of sexual excitement is retarded or weakened by the nude body, while the sight of a partly unclothed female body affects these men as exciting” (Theodor Reik, Of Love and Lust, p. 465).

IV. Ways To Be Immodest.

A. Remember, biblical nakedness includes nudity and being partially covered.

B. Consider some ways we can be immodest. Clothes that are:

1. Too short – too revealing.

2. Too sheer – can see through.

3. Too tight – Doesn’t leave much to the imagination.

4. Too loose -

5. Careless body positioning and movements.

V. Questions To Ask Before We Dress.

A. There are a number of questions we can ask ourselves if we are ever unsure about the modesty of our clothing.

1. Can I stand, walk, sit, kneel, etc. in this clothing without being naked by biblical standards?

2. Does my clothing emphasize certain body parts or area that would tend to provoke lust in others?

3. Does my clothing stir admiration and respect for me or does it prompt opinions otherwise?

4. Since clothing can indicate character, would my clothing suggest an abundance of or lack of upright character?

5. What kind of influence will my clothing have on those who are not Christians?

6. What kind of influence will my clothing have on those who are Christians?

7. Would I wear this if Jesus was in my personal physical presence?

VI. Effect On Society.

A. Everything we do impacts the people around us (our dress is but one).

B. Immodesty’s impact on us:

1. Disregard God’s word – Jn. 12:48-49

2. Defile and sear our conscience – I Cor. 8:7; I Tim. 4:2

3. Lose our sense of shame – Jer. 6:15; 8:12

4. Conform to the world – Rom. 12:1-2

5. Resent questions and teaching on the subject – Acts 22:22

C. Immodesty’s impact on others:

1. Create sexual temptation – James 1:14; 2 Sam. 11:2

2. Cause others to sin – I Sam. 3:13; Deut. 21:18-21

3. Set a poor example – Matt. 5:13-16

4. Bring shame on Christ & His people – Eph. 5:25-27; James 1:27

5. Discourage faithful Christians – I Thess. 5:14

6. Mislead weak Christians – Phil. 3:17

Conclusion

A. There is a proper code of dress that we must adhere to.

B. How is your dress?

C. We have an obligation to make sure our dress is appropriate & modest.



Practicing Holiness: Modest Dress 2004050 Topic # 2155 Introduction: A. Touchy subject. 1. Some resent questions & teaching on this subject. 2. We have an obligation to make sure our dress is appropriate & modest. 3. There is a proper code of dress that we must adhere to. 4. How is your dress? B. When discussing this subject, there are a number of standards we must be careful not to be ruled by when it comes to this topic. 1. What I think. 2. What parents think. 3. What other Christians think. 4. What friends think. 5. What the world (fashion industry, media, etc.) thinks. C. Therefore, we must be content in following the one inspired standard. 1. II Tim. 3:16-17; Jn. 17:17, II Pet. 1:3 I . A Look At The Beginning. A. Before sinning, Adam and Eve enjoyed a special relationship with God and each other. 1. Notice how God describes their condition: a. Adam & Eve were naked and not ashamed. Gen. 2:25 b. After the sin, they made fig leaf coverings to hide their nakedness. Gen. 3:7 c. Though partially, still naked. Gen. 3:10 d. God then made garments (tunics) for them. Gen. 3:21 B. Some practical lessons to consider: 1. One is biblically naked if: a. He/she is totally nude – Gen. 2:25 b. He/she is inadequately clothed – Gen. 3:7, 10; Jn. 21:7 2. One does not need to be totally nude to be biblically naked! a. Our concept of nakedness, might not be God’s concept. Isa. 55:8-9 II. New Testament Guidelines. 1 Peter 1:14-16; 4:1-5 A. If we claim to be holy, we must be practicing holiness. B. Notice what the New Testament says about proper dress: 1. I Tim. 2:9 a. Proper (modesty, KJV) – “a sense of shame” b. Modestly (shamefacedness, KJV) – “orderly; well arranged; decent” c. Discreetly (sobriety, KJV) – “of sound mind; self-controlled” 2. Maintain male/female distinctions – Deut. 22:5; I Cor. 6:9 3. These standards apply to all people at all times. a. Regardless of cultural changes. III. Guidelines For Acceptable Biblical Dress. A. If there are no guidelines, there is no violation of law. Rom. 4:15 B. Unacceptable bodily coverage: 1. Adam’s and Eve’s fig leaf covering (loin cloth). 2. Lower body – unexposed thighs, not covered properly. Ex. 28:42-43; Is. 47:1-3 3. Upper body – no indication of coverage. C. Acceptable bodily coverage: 1. God’s garments (tunics) – A sleeved garment reaching from the top of the shoulders, down over the thighs, to the knees. 2. "Tunic was a garment, meanings to cover; a shirt...a kimono-like inner garment reaching to the knees or ankles, as worn next to the skin. Both men and women wore tunics made from cotton, linen, or wool. ...The earliest of these garments were made without sleeves and reached only to the knees. Later, the inner garment extended to the wrists and ankles." (Nelson's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Bible Facts, p. 482-482) 3. "This garment usually had long sleeves, and extended down to the ankles when worn as a dress coat, and was held in place by a girdle. Hard-working men, slaves, and prisoners wore them more abbreviated--sometimes even to their knees, and without sleeves--as shown on the Behistun inscription." (The Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary, p. 225) D. How do our wardrobes compare to these lists? 1. “A great number of men are of the opinion that women are more attractive partly dressed than nude. They prefer to see women partially disrobed to the sight of complete nakedness. In many cases the development of sexual excitement is retarded or weakened by the nude body, while the sight of a partly unclothed female body affects these men as exciting” (Theodor Reik, Of Love and Lust, p. 465). IV. Ways To Be Immodest. A. Remember, biblical nakedness includes nudity and being partially covered. B. Consider some ways we can be immodest. Clothes that are: 1. Too short – too revealing. 2. Too sheer – can see through. 3. Too tight – Doesn’t leave much to the imagination. 4. Too loose - 5. Careless body positioning and movements. V. Questions To Ask Before We Dress. A. There are a number of questions we can ask ourselves if we are ever unsure about the modesty of our clothing. 1. Can I stand, walk, sit, kneel, etc. in this clothing without being naked by biblical standards? 2. Does my clothing emphasize certain body parts or area that would tend to provoke lust in others? 3. Does my clothing stir admiration and respect for me or does it prompt opinions otherwise? 4. Since clothing can indicate character, would my clothing suggest an abundance of or lack of upright character? 5. What kind of influence will my clothing have on those who are not Christians? 6. What kind of influence will my clothing have on those who are Christians? 7. Would I wear this if Jesus was in my personal physical presence? VI. Effect On Society. A. Everything we do impacts the people around us (our dress is but one). B. Immodesty’s impact on us: 1. Disregard God’s word – Jn. 12:48-49 2. Defile and sear our conscience – I Cor. 8:7; I Tim. 4:2 3. Lose our sense of shame – Jer. 6:15; 8:12 4. Conform to the world – Rom. 12:1-2 5. Resent questions and teaching on the subject – Acts 22:22 C. Immodesty’s impact on others: 1. Create sexual temptation – James 1:14; 2 Sam. 11:2 2. Cause others to sin – I Sam. 3:13; Deut. 21:18-21 3. Set a poor example – Matt. 5:13-16 4. Bring shame on Christ & His people – Eph. 5:25-27; James 1:27 5. Discourage faithful Christians – I Thess. 5:14 6. Mislead weak Christians – Phil. 3:17 Conclusion A. There is a proper code of dress that we must adhere to. B. How is your dress? C. We have an obligation to make sure our dress is appropriate & modest.