Modest Appearance

“Never in the history of the world has so much been spent on so little. Shorter shirts and shorts, lower cut blouses and shirts, and tighter and tighter clothes seem to saturate every department store in our country” Rob Whitacre

I. Modesty in the Garden 1 Tim. 2:9 “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel,…”

Gen. 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

II. Modesty and the Law of Moses Exodus 28:40-42 “And for Aaron's sons thou shalt make coats, and thou shalt make for them girdles, and bonnets shalt thou make for them, for glory and for beauty. [41] And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him;…

and shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office. And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach:”

Exodus 28:43 And they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they come in unto the tabernacle of the congregation, or when they come near unto the altar to minister in the holy place; that they bear not iniquity, and die: it shall be a statute for ever unto him and his seed after him.

“Posture plays an important role in modesty”

Exodus 20:26 Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.

III. Modesty and Christianity 1 Tim. 2:9-10 “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;

But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.”

1. “In like manner also…” Paul had addressed men in verses 1-8 to be holy in their leadership and worship to God – now he makes some additional remarks

2. “That women” Men are not exempt from God’s laws on modesty Men are visually stimulated and lust is a visual sin

Mt. 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

3. “Adorn themselves in modest apparel” God desires that women be clothed modestly

Adorn =

4. “With shamefacedness and sobriety” Many Christians have lost their ability to blush

Jer. 8:12 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore shall they fall among them that fall: in the time of their visitation they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.

Shamefacedness = a sense of shame, modesty, is use regarding the demeanor of women in the church….modest which is fastened or rooted in the character. (Vine’s Exp. Dictionary)

5. “but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works” “A woman who seeks to please God will dress modestly”

Her clothing will show or reflect her godly life – it will show a spirit of modesty and meekness! “The way we dress says something about the way we think”

Gen. 38:15 When Judah saw her, he thought her to be an harlot; because she had covered her face.

Some serious considerations What can I wear as a Christian? Clothes need to cover those parts of the body that might cause others to lust Must not be too tight, too low, too short, and consider how you look when you sit down or stoop over

Clothes worn while swimming, participating in sports, going to town on your day off, while on vacation, etc. are not exempt from God’s rules on modesty

“We must be careful of any clothing that is form fitting…Sometimes denim seems to replace the skin and leave nothing to the imagination”

Conclusion To live a holy life we must adorn our bodies in modest apparel Fathers and mothers need to teach their children about modesty Husbands and wives need to remind each other about modest apparel

References Holiness and Modest Appearance, Rob Whitacre, Imitating Christ, Called unto Holiness, Southwest publications, 2008