DOES IT MATTER HOW CHRISTIANS DRESS?

Think; Look at Yourself; and Realize: “I could be wrong. Some of my clothing could be immodest.” How Should a Christian Dress? A Gentle Appeal

 World  Parents  Preacher  Elders  Always thought or done What Is Our Standard? “Test all things; hold fast what is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21 How Should a Christian Dress? A Gentle Appeal

If so, you will listen, appreciate, and follow (James 1:21-22) If not, you will be rejecting God (John 12:48) To violate God’s standard is to act outside His will The Bible sets guidelines about dress Do you desire to dress in harmony with the bible? How Should a Christian Dress? A Gentle Appeal

Someone’s at the door – could someone answer it; I’m not dressed! I’m dressed – I’ll get it It’s probably my friends – we are going to Wild River Country.

Ignorant and untaught Want to fit in Want to be bold and “turn heads” Don’t realize how they actually look Careless – don’t stop to think About Divine principles Allow world’s standards to influence them Brethren gradually get looser Why do People Dress Immodestly? How Should a Christian Dress?

1 Timothy 2:9,10 “In like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.” Examining Biblical Principles Modest Apparel How Should a Christian Dress?

Examining Biblical Principles Modest Apparel "Respectable; honorable" (Arndt and Gingrich, 445). "Well-arranged; seemly" (Thayer, 356). "Orderly; well-arranged; decent" (Vine, III:79). "The well-ordering is not of dress and demeanor only, but the inner life’s uttering indeed, and expressing itself in the outward conversation" (Trench’s Syn. 346). Modest Apparel Modest Apparel (kosmios) How Should a Christian Dress?

The People’s New Testament Commentary defines modesty as “In simple attire which doesn’t attract attention.” Bible Knowledge Commentary - “An appearance that is simple, moderate, judicious, and free from ostentation.... Christians must be careful about letting a pagan culture set their fashions. Modest Apparel How Should a Christian Dress? Examining Biblical Principles

Reserved Humble Respectable Decent Orderly Modest Apparel How Should a Christian Dress? Examining Biblical Principles

“With shamefacedness” –(aidos) – “A sense of shame or honor, modesty, bashfulness, reverence, regard for others, respect” - "A sense of shame" (Vine, IV:17; Thayer,14). Have we lost the ability to blush (Jeremiah 6:15; 8:12)? Those who dress (don’t dress) in such a way that the imagination has little else, if anything, to imagine.. what would it take to get them to blush? Shamefacedness-Shamefastness—Propriety How Should a Christian Dress? Examining Biblical Principles

SOPHROSUNE - Translated “sobriety,” KJV, ASV; “moderation,” NKJV “Soundness of mind... ‘sound judgment’ practically expresses the meaning; ‘it is that habitual inner self-government, with its constant rein on all the passions and desires which would hinder the temptation to these from arising....” (Vines, Vol. IV, pp ). “Soundness of mind, i.e., (lit.) sanity or (fig.) self-control” (Strong’s, # 4997). Sobriety—Moderation How Should a Christian Dress? Examining Biblical Principles

-THEOSEBEIA - “Denotes the fear or reverence of God,…” (Vines, Vol. II, p. 162). “Devoutness, i.e., piety” (Strong’s, # 2317). Darby: “profession of the fear of God,” NIV: “profess to worship God.” Godliness How Should a Christian Dress? Examining Biblical Principles

“Unclad, without clothing”...“Ill-clad” or “clad in undergarment only” (Thayer, p. 122) “Badly clad” or “not fully clothed” (Kittle, I: ) “Lightly clad” (Liddell & Scott, 170) Nakedness One can be wearing clothing and still be “naked” How Should a Christian Dress? Examining Biblical Principles

V. 7 Naked (Nude) V. 10,11,21 Recognized as still naked by all (relatively) APRON [21]... the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.” The First Clothing Genesis 3:7-21 How Should a Christian Dress?

Original I.S.B.E. article on “Dress” says chiton “resembled the Roman tunic, corresponding most nearly to our long shirt, reaching below the knee always, and, in case it was designed for dress occasions, reaching almost to the ground” (I.S.B.E., II:877).... the chiton of the peasantry was shorter like modern kamis of Syrian fellah which is to the knee. From the shoulder to the knee Examining Biblical PrinciplesClothed How Should a Christian Dress?

KUTTONET--"a tunic...; generally with sleeves, coming down to the knees, rarely to the ankles" (Gesenius, 420; cf. Harris, 1:459; Brown, Driver, Briggs, 509). “The tunic... was a shirt which was worn next to the skin. It was made of leather, hair-cloth, wool, linen, or in modern times, usually of cotton... (Fred H. Wight, Manners and Customs of Bible Lands, 91). Examining Biblical PrinciplesClothed How Should a Christian Dress? From the shoulder to the knee

... The simplest form of it was without sleeves and reached to the knees or sometimes to the ankles.... Women as well as men wore it [see Cant. 5:3, A.R.V.], although there was no doubt a difference in style and pattern in what was worn by the two” (Fred H. Wight, Manners and Customs of Bible Lands, 91). Examining Biblical PrinciplesClothed How Should a Christian Dress? From the shoulder to the knee

} Nakedness Exodus 28:42 “And you shall make for them linen trousers to cover their nakedness; they shall reach from the waist to the thighs.” Examining Biblical Principles Exposing the thigh = exposing one’s nakedness How Should a Christian Dress?

} Nakedness Isaiah 47:2,3 “…Remove your veil, take off the skirt, uncover the thigh, pass through the rivers. Your nakedness shall be uncovered, yes, your shame will be seen… How Should a Christian Dress? Examining Biblical Principles Exposing the thigh = exposing one’s nakedness

Our dress says something to others about ourselves - “Attire of a harlot” (Proverbs 7:10) Creates sexual temptation, causing others to sin (Matt. 5:28; Prov. 6:25; Jam. 1:14; Matt.18:6-7); [David saw Bathsheba and lusted] (2 Sam. 11) Sets a poor example (Matt.5:13-16), which could put others in danger. Our Dress and Actions Affect Others How Should a Christian Dress?

Bring shame on Christ and His children (Eph. 5:25-27; Jam. 1:27). Discourage other Christians (1 Thess. 5:14). Mislead weak Christians (Phil. 3:17). Ultimately, you lose your soul unless you repent, and you may cause others to also be lost (Gal.5:21). How Should a Christian Dress? Our Dress and Actions Affect Others

OK when participating in sporting event? OK when participating in a school function? OK at a swimming pool or beach? Too short, (revealing the thighs). Too low. Off the shoulders (showing shoulders/chest/back). Too sheer (can be seen through). Too tight (fits like a sausage wrapper - more suggestive/ appealing to men). Careless body positioning and movements. Examining Biblical Principles Ways in Which One Can Be Immodest

Short dresses/ mini skirts Dresses with splits Backless dresses Sun dresses Low-cut blouses and dresses revealing cleavage Swimsuits Tight/formfitting Short shorts (revealing the thigh) Jogging shorts See-through styles Majorette uniforms Cheerleading outfits Examining Biblical Principles Ways in Which One Can Be Immodest

Can I stand, walk, sit, kneel, bend over, etc., in this clothing without being "naked" according to Bible standards? Does my clothing emphasize certain body parts or areas that might tend to provoke lust in others? Does my clothing cause others to admire and respect me, or does it prompt opinions otherwise? Questions Regarding How to Dress: How Should a Christian Dress?

Since clothing can indicate character (cf. Prov. 7:10), would my clothing suggest an abundance or lack of upright character? What kind of influence will my clothing have on those who are not Christians? What kind of influence will my clothing have on those who are Christians? Would I wear this if Jesus was physically in my presence? How Should a Christian Dress? Questions Regarding How to Dress:

Begin early - don't allow immodesty until 12 or 13, and then expect sudden correction. Take the lead in teaching children about modesty; don't wait for someone else to do it. Teach children by word of mouth - in our homes, and teach them by example. Children can quickly and easily identify inconsistency. Be consistent in setting and applying standards. Mothers, teach your sons and daughters what God teaches, and do not undermine godly husbands and fathers as they properly lead. Reminders for Parents: How Should a Christian Dress?

We disregard God by disregarding His word (Jno. 12:48-49; cf. 1 Sam. 8:7). Defiles and sears the conscience (1 Cor. 8:7; 1 Tim. 4:2). You lose your sense of shame (Jere. 6:15; 8:12). You conform to the world (Rom. 12:1-2). Will likely move toward more immodesty (2 Tim. 3:13). Will likely move to other forms of worldliness (2 Tim. 3:13). Will resent questions and teaching on the subject (Acts 22:22). The Moral Impact of Immodesty How Should a Christian Dress?

Modestly – reserved, decent, respectable Exhibiting Shamefastness – can blush, have shame Use Good Judgment – common sense Show Godliness – devotion to God Respect Others – opposite sex could lust Cover Your Nakedness – cover from the shoulder to the knee Conclusion How Should a Christian Dress?

“As a ring of gold in a swine's snout, so is a lovely woman who lacks discretion.” Proverbs 11:22 How Should a Christian Dress? Conclusion

 World  Parents  Preacher  Elders  Always thought or done How Should a Christian Dress? What Is Our Standard? “Test all things; hold fast what is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21 A Gentle Appeal