“the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 “the LORD looks at the heart.”

Does God Care What You Look Like on The Outside? Does it Matter What You Wear?

Clothing And Character Proverbs Chapter 7 – “the attire of a harlot and a crafty heart.” (V.10) Her Clothing was an Index to her Character and Intent God cares about our Character and what Type of Influence we Have on Others.

What Does The Bible Say? What does the Bible teach about Apparel? Universal Prohibition Against Nakedness – Genesis 3:6,7 Total Nakedness was not consistent with the Moral Consciousness Awakened in Them After they Clothed themselves with aprons – they were Ashamed & Attempted to Hide Themselves from God!

COVERING (APRON) חֲגֹרָה A garment that covers the mid-section of the body, tied about the waist. “Also translated girdle, or belt.” [TWOT] “a minimal item of clothing, perhaps an undergarment, probably formed originally by wrapping material around the lower trunk.” [Harper’s Bible Dictionary]

Tunic כְּתֹנֶת Genesis 3:21 “clothed them.” “kethoneth- a shirt that hangs on the shoulders & reaches to the knees, sometimes the ankles.” “From an unused root meaning to cover ... 1) tunic, under- garment; 1a) a long shirt-like garment usually of linen.” – Strongs Concordance “A tunic, worn next the skin ... generally with sleeves, to the knees, but seldom to the ankles, Gen.3:21.” – Wilson’s O.T. Word Studies Tunic כְּתֹנֶת

Can be seen in Priests’ Garments Exodus 28:40-43 NKJV 40 "For Aaron's sons you shall make tunics, and you shall make sashes for them. And you shall make hats for them, for glory and beauty. 41 "So you shall put them on Aaron your brother and on his sons with him. You shall anoint them, consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister to Me as priests. 42 "And you shall make for them linen trousers to cover their nakedness; they shall reach from the waist to the thighs. 43 "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. It shall be a statute forever to him and his descendants after him.”

“1) underwear, drawers, trousers; 1a) a priestly undergarment of linen” – BDB “A garment, extending from the waist to or just below the knee or to the ankle, and covering each leg separately” – ISBE Trousers or Breeches

The Israelites Understood The naked body a sign of Shamefulness Body only to be exposed in the intimacy of the Marriage relationship Leviticus Chapter 18 – “uncover nakedness” refers to taking another in marriage Negative Context – refers to harlotry and lewdness Ezekiel 16:37 Teaching concerning Nakedness never restricted to women God’s law never Sanctioned nudity for artistic purposes, athletics, swimming, dancing, etc.

The Israelites Understood Biblical Concept of Nakedness = Total Humiliation or Debasement Isaiah 47:3 “Your nakedness shall be uncovered, your shame will be seen….’; Lamentations 1:8 “she has become vile…they have seen her nakedness;” Revelation 3:18 “shame of your nakedness”

What is “Nakedness?” Most would condemn the “nakedness” of the nudist “Naked” or “Nakedness” in Bible does not always refer to no clothing at all. God’s actions in Genesis 3 indicate fig leaves did not cover “nakedness” enough to please Him. Possible to be partially clothed and still guilty of “nakedness” – John 21:7

New Testament Principles 1 Timothy Chapter 2: Vs. 8 – Men commanded to “lift up holy hands” in prayer The Issue was CHARACTER 1 Timothy 2:9-10 NKJV 9 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, 10 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.” NOT just outward Clothing – but the CHARACTER that is reflected in the clothing

New Testament Principles Three Words to Dress By: Modest: “Orderly, well-arranged, decent, honorable” – 1 Peter 3:2-4 Propriety: “A sense of shame, reverence” What would You be Ashamed to Wear? Moderation: “soundness of mind, self-control, moderation” – Titus 2:5; Isaiah 3:16-24; Luke 17:1,2 IF lust is sinful, & inadequate clothing causes it – APPLY?