MODEST APPAREL

Building on a Platform of OT Teaching

TODAY’S STUDY

• • • Who?

• What?

• • Where? Everywhere – the rules are not cultural!

When?

From young to old, all day, everyday!

Why?

How?

Christians! Everyone, really… Understanding God’s teachings on godly dress!

Because to ignore it may jeopardize your soul!

Examine the scriptures, decide and make changes!

MODEST APPAREL

• Very little is said about “modest apparel” in the bible. Is it subjective? Of course!

• • 1 Tim 2:8f - “I desire therefore that… the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation…” 1 Pet 3:3f - “Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.” • So, then, can we make righteous judgment about how to dress?

• Is there a measurable standard for godly dress??? YES!!!

PICKING NITS

• Is this teaching pertinent today? Are we being too picayune?

• Luke 17:1 “ Then He said to the disciples,“It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come!” • Matt 23:23 - “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law, justice and mercy and faith; these you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.” • Ezek 18:20 - “The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.”

POINTS TO CONSIDER

• Warmer weather makes this teaching apropos, but it is always something to consider • How do you dress? What standard do you follow? • Where is your heart on this subject? Are you one who tests the boundaries?

• What are you fishing for? Are you using the right bait? What will you catch?

• Low self-esteem hinders everything. It costs money, time, effort, anxiety; things better spent elsewhere • When we greet girls and women, what do we compliment them on?

POINTS TO CONSIDER

• This subject has been largely ignored for years. Most congregations teach around the subject, but some do not because it is a fight and change on this issue is difficult • Some aspects of godly life are hard to accept because of Satan's influence on us • Does Proverbs 31 say anything about the worthy woman’s physical appearance?

• Righteous women are elevated by righteous men and God. What about unrighteous men? What do they elevate?

• All men are not pigs. Godly men are embarrassed by a woman that is ungodly • When you visit other congregations, what do you think if some are dressed “risqué"?

MODEST APPAREL

• Is there a measurable standard for godly dress??? YES!!!

• God has given us all things pertaining to godliness. Isn't how we dress part of that?

• Modesty is more than decency. Modesty is an addition to decency. Decency or “unnakedness”, was defined in the Old Testament, there was no need to repeat it in the New Testament. The same is true for adultery and fornication.

•

Let us put the world’s view on this subject behind us and see what God says about it!

PLATFORMS

• The NT teachings of hate are based upon the teachings of murder in the OT • Matt 5:21-22 • The NT teachings of lust are based upon the teachings of adultery in the OT • Matt 5:27-28 • The NT teachings of giving are based upon the teachings of tithing in the OT • 2 Cor 9:7 • Can you name other teachings that are based on OT platforms or types?

A HARD TEACHING?

• The NT teachings of modesty are based upon the teachings of nakedness in the OT • We desire to know what God wants, and to live our lives in that manner • God gave us our bodies and teaches us how to consider them, what to do with them • A Christian who ignores this teaching sacrifices their influence and brings reproach upon their parents, children, brethren, etc. just as if they were involved in social drinking, smoking, profanity, fornication, drug abuse… “and the like”… (Gal 5:21)

TEACHINGS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Rom 15:4 - "For whatever things were written before were written for our learning… ” • 1 Cor 10:11 “ Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition...” • The old laws are no longer binding, but the teachings in them are from God, who does not change • The OT gives us insight into His personality, moral expectations, likes and dislikes • Do we seek to please God? Shouldn’t we be clear on what He wants?

THE RIGHT SETTING

• God gave us sexual desire, but we are not animals! He taught us how to act!

• Even the design of our anatomy teaches that God expects us to enjoy sex. It is not “dirty” • The scriptures teach that men and women were meant to be together in marriage and to be sexual partners for each other; in fact, He commanded it!

• In the wrong setting, God very clearly calls sexual activity and ungodly dress SIN!

• When the scriptures mention adults being naked in public, it is a shame to them, to their families and to their nation. It is regarded as SIN!

• “Nakedness” therefore falls into this category: SIN!

NAKEDNESS

• The rules for nakedness are not different for men and women; God makes no distinction even if society does • Ex 20:26 • Nor shall you go up by steps to My altar, that your nakedness may not be exposed on it.’ • Ex 28:40-43 • • When God was teaching the priests how to dress so they would be holy in front of him, He said that the thighs would be covered regardless of the situation.

To violate this was sin and they would die!

NAKEDNESS

• In Gen 2:25 God said that Adam and Eve were naked in the garden and were not ashamed. Why would He say this unless it is odd that they were not ashamed? Normally (now), you would (should?) be ashamed if you are naked • Gen 3:10 points out that to know when you are naked is a point of good and evil. Adam and Eve knew the difference after they ate the fruit, not before • Adam told God that he considered himself naked even after he and Eve had made for themselves coverings for their loins, referred to as an apron, covering about what the modern swimsuit would cover - Gen 3:7f • God did not dispute that Adam was naked, but corrected the problem by making for them "coats" or “tunics” that would properly clothe them from the shoulder to the knee

NAKEDNESS

• This is an important issue! Non-conformance once carried the threat of death!

• Ex 28:42f – “And you shall make for them linen trousers to cover their nakedness; they shall reach from the waist to the thighs. They shall be on Aaron and on his sons when they come into the tabernacle of meeting, or when they come near the altar to minister in the holy place, that they do not incur iniquity and die • The linen breeches were to cover "from the loins even unto the thigh". A study of this phrase shows that in all cases, it is inclusive. So for this application, it includes both the loins and the thigh; both must be covered

NAKEDNESS

• A young girl who uncovers the thigh is said to have uncovered her nakedness and it is referred to as a shame (Isa 47:1-3) • Ehud considered the thigh a good place to hide a dagger, of course, because it was always covered in public (Judges 3:16) • In John 21:7, Peter had laid off his outer garment to fish, considering himself naked. It would not be considered that he would be "in public" when he was out on the sea with just his brother. Nevertheless, he did not consider it acceptable to be naked in front of Jesus, his teacher, much less in public or in front of a woman

RULES OF THUMB

• • • • • • No clothing should be worn that accentuate “features” of a woman’s body Clothing should not allow everyone to know your exact _____ size and shape!

Can they see your underwear through or under your clothes? Should they?

How do you train a child how to dress? Are there two sets of rules; one now, one later?

What was “cute“ or accepted is now SIN!

Who should / could see you naked?

• • Parents and family members (up to a certain age) Medical staff • • People of the same sex?

Spouse

THE WORLD SAYS…

• • • • In order to be acceptable, you must look perfect, no matter the cost!

If a woman has good “features”, they should be exposed! If you got it, flaunt it!

A beautiful woman should be put on display for men and women to admire (?) The more skin a woman shows, the more attention she draws (seen as a good thing) If a woman does not have a pretty face, she is still desirable if she reveals much • • • It is okay to expose skin in certain situations: • • On the beach On a romantic date Everybody does it, so it is accepted. If you don’t, you are out of place

THE WORLD SAYS…

• But yet… • A woman may lose a rape case against a man if she dressed in an enticing way • When a worldly woman wants to attract men, she wears as daring an outfit as she can get away with. But, in the presence of a man she does not want to entice, she covers herself fully if she is wise • The world knows what is decent and what is not. Advertisers know what attracts attention. Television and movies are full of nakedness and immorality

GOD SAYS…

• • • • • • • • In order to please Him, you must strive to be perfect, no matter the cost!

If a woman has good “features”, they should be for her husband!

A beautiful woman on the outside has the same requirements as anyone else Women are to be held in honor, not for display for men and women to admire The more skin a woman shows, the more she sins and projects herself as a evil (Proverbs) It doesn’t matter if a woman has a pretty face or perfect features, she is desirable above rubies if she proves herself with good works It is never okay to expose skin in public (or private) other than … We are a peculiar people. We don’t care if everybody does it. We don’t!

TITUS 2: 1-8

• But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things—that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

• Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.

UNGODLY DRESS

• Categories of ungodly dress for women and girls • • • See-thru Low cut Tight • • • Short Thin Exposing • • Midriff Chest • • Thighs Back

UNGODLY DRESS

• Examples of ungodly dress for women and girls • • • • • • Sheer Scoop neck Tight shirts, shorts, jeans Short skirts, cut-offs Tops with armholes and shorts with legs that are too loose Almost all: • • Swimwear, beachwear Cheerleading uniforms • Gymnastics outfits

UNGODLY DRESS

• Categories of ungodly dress for men and boys • • • See-thru Tight Short • • • No shirt “Saggin’ Exposing • • Midriff Chest • • Thighs Back

WHAT IF…

• What if someone … • • • • is stalking you to look is waiting to look happens to look is trying not to look • Will you still be covered or naked?

• Will you embarrass yourself and others?

• What if… • • • • you bend over you cross your legs you fall down you get wet

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO ME?

• Who are you responsible for?

• What is that responsibility?

• How should you approach it in your heart?

• What activities, sports or classes should be limited or eliminated?

• Make a list • Have a plan • Do it!

WHAT DO I DO NOW?

• You chose what you wore today, right? Do you pass the test?

• If it is not for sale, why are you putting it on display????

• What is in your closet?

• • • Are any of the shirts and dresses low cut, exposing too much “chest”?

Are any of the jeans and pants skin tight?

Is anything too thin, too sheer or too revealing?

• What about the pictures you have posted on social media or other sites?

•

Have you been naked in public? What are you going to do about it?

TITUS 2: 1-8

• “Luxurious clothing that cannot conceal the shape of the body is no covering at all. Such clothing, clinging close to the body…outlines the woman's figure so that the whole shape of her body is visible to spectators even though they cannot actually see the body itself… such clothing is meant for looking, not covering” - Clement, 180AD