Immodesty and the Christian Colossians 3:17

Immodesty and the Christian A difficult subject to discuss objectively A Bible subject, needing reverent attention As we have seen, based on HOLINESS of conduct A proper understanding of the biblical terms used in describing modesty should help us understand the proper conduct of the modest Christian

Immodesty and the Christian Defining Terms 1 Timothy 2:9-10 adorn modest propriety moderation costly proper not…but

Immodesty and the Christian Defining Terms 1 Timothy 2:9-10 adorn Gk. Kosmeo: to arrange, to put in order Eng.: to enhance the appearance of… cp. Tit. 2:10; Rev. 21:2; 1 Pet. 3:3 – cosmetic adorn not condemned; must properly adorn – Prov. 31:22 orderliness involved in proper adornment

Immodesty and the Christian Defining Terms 1 Timothy 2:9-10 modest Gk. Kosmios: a harmonious arrangement Eng.: placing a moderate estimate on ones abilities or worth; not bold nor self-assertive cp. 1 Tim. 3:2 – of good behavior – from Lat. modestus: keeping due measure

Immodesty and the Christian Defining Terms 1 Timothy 2:9-10 propriety Gk. Aidos: a sense of shame, modesty Eng.: fear of offending against conventional rules of behavior, especially between the sexes cp. Genesis 24:63-65; Romans 12:9 – shamefast: held fast by a sense of shame involves inner reserve; a moral abhorrence against doing anything that is disgraceful rare to see sense of shame today; no blushing

Immodesty and the Christian Defining Terms 1 Timothy 2:9-10 moderation Gk. Sophrosune: soundness of mind; sobriety Eng.: avoidance of extremes in ones actions, beliefs, or habits cp. Acts 26:24-25; reason – self-control, sensibility, discretion, prudence Godliness produces reserved dignity, discreet control over passions, voluntary self-control: not mere external restraint of social taboo

Immodesty and the Christian Defining Terms 1 Timothy 2:9-10 costly Gk. Poluteles: the very end or limit; highest cost Eng.: commanding a high price, especially because of intrinsic worth Excess, extravagance, ostentation condemned – cp. Mark 14:3-5; 1 Peter 3:4 – precious The desire behind costliness opposes the quiet humility that is costly to God! – contrast Isa. 3:16-26 and Ezek. 16:10-14

Immodesty and the Christian Defining Terms 1 Timothy 2:9-10 proper Gk. Prepo: to be conspicuous in a crowd; to be eminent; distinguished by a thing; seemly; fit Eng.: marked by appropriateness, rightness, suitability professing godliness should be conspicuous in the clothing used; holy, different – cp. Matt. 3:15; Eph. 5:3; Tit. 2:1 Philippians 3:20; foreigners, strangers here

Immodesty and the Christian Defining Terms 1 Timothy 2:9-10 not…but Not sometimes used in Bible absolutely – see Exodus 20:14, etc. Not sometimes used in Bible conditionally – not…if: see Galatians 5:21, etc. Not sometimes used in Bible comparatively – not…but: see John 6:27; 1 Cor. 1:17; etc. Outer adornment is not wrong absolutely, but of much less importance than inward adorning

Immodesty and the Christian Concluding Observations 1 Peter 3:3-4 What is truly impressive and of value should be the character of the Christian, not his clothing! We should be investing far greater time on who we are than on what we wear!

Immodesty and the Christian Concluding Observations Character and Conduct are interrelated Clothing is both thermometer and thermostat to character: – indicates what character is at present – helps determine what character will become

Immodesty and the Christian Concluding Observations Character and Conduct are interrelated Clothing is both thermometer and thermostat Modesty/immodesty primarily characteristics of the person; only secondarily of the clothing – doesnt mean that anything a modest person wears will automatically be appropriate – does mean the inwardly modest person will express modesty outwardly in decisions of clothing; no dress code – modesty is internal – cp. Eph. 5:17; Heb. 5:14

Immodesty and the Christian Concluding Observations Character and Conduct are interrelated Clothing is both thermometer and thermostat Modesty/immodesty primarily characteristics of the person; only secondarily of the clothing Consistent godliness will reject immodesty in: character, conduct, dress Outer appearance should reflect the inward: purity, modesty, fidelity, chastity. Character must be transformed – Rom. 12:2 This often transforms wardrobe – Eph. 4:20-24

Have YOU put on Christ? Without Him, you are naked before God! In Him, you are prepared for eternity! Galatians 3:27-29; 4:6-7 Wont you put Him on today?