Title: Does Modesty Matter?
Text: Multi-Texted
Introduction: Genesis 2:25 (NCV) "The man and his wife were naked, but they were not ashamed."
‒ Adam and Eve found themselves created into a perfect SINLESS world.
A. No Shame
B. Innocent
C. No blushing
D. Naked and no reason to feel wrong about it.
‒ But oh how things changed in Genesis 3
A. Genesis 3:7 (NCV) "Then, it was as if their eyes were opened. They realized they were naked, so they sewed fig leaves together and made something to cover themselves."
B. Then God made more durable clothes for them. Genesis 3:21 (NCV) "The LORD God made clothes from animal skins for the man and his wife and dressed them."
‒ Why do you think God made animal skins for them?
A. They already had fig leaves.
B. Where they out of style?
‒ I believe they were inadequate.
‒ Inadequate is an understatement for the kind of “no-wearing” of clothing we see in our society and sadly enough even in the church.
‒ Words like indecent and inviting are more like it.
*From the time sin entered the world, nakedness has been a shame.
Today we are going to deal with a subject that has many opinions. I am not interested in my opinion or yours. I want to see what God says concerning the subject of Modesty in dress. This is NOT just a YOUTH ISSUE.
1. Definition of Modesty (2 forms of immodesty)
A. FORM # 1 OVERDRESSING The most commonly MISUSED passage on the subject of modesty is 1 Timothy 2:9-10 (NCV) "Also, women should wear proper clothes that show respect and self-control, not using braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes. 10 Instead, they should do good deeds, which is right for women who say they worship God." KJV 1 Timothy 2:9-10 (KJV) "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; 10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works."
‒ Preachers read this and say, “There! The Bible says modest apparel and women have no business wearing immodest clothing.”
‒ Christian women AND MEN, for that matter, have no business wearing immodest clothing.
‒ But, 1 Timothy 2:9 does not teach against clothing that is immodest in the sense of indecent: too low cut, too short, too transparent, too tight, etc)
‒ It deals with immoderate excessive clothes.
A. Overdressing.
B. Clothes that bring attention to the person’s wealth and outer looks.
C. Clothes that distract from inner beauty and focus on gold, pearls, or the finest hair-do.
‒ This is a form of immodesty. It is excessive-Look at me-apparel. PRIDE
‒ Paul’s rules set forth here are proper and moderate dressing. Not too much! I am of the fear that we violate this more than the other sometimes.
‒ FORM # 2 UNDER DRESSING The second kind of modesty is that of dressing decently or placed in the negative, dressing immodestly or indecently. (Too short, too low cut, too transparent, too tight, etc.)
‒ Our introduction to this lesson concerning Adam and Eve is proof enough that God wants us to be covered up because of the shame of nakedness.
‒ Paul tells Titus in Titus 2:11-12 (NIV) "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age...."
‒ 1 Peter 1:13-16 tells us to “be holy in ALL of our conduct...”
REVIEW: So far in the lesson we have determined two kinds of extremes in modesty. God condemns both through scripture. GOD WANTS PURITY IN EVERY ASPECT OF OUR LIVES
Two questions: 1. What is “immodest clothing” in terms of indecency? 2. Can modesty vary somewhat from culture to culture?
2. Cultural Views of Modesty and Immodesty
‒ We will answer the second question first. Can modesty vary somewhat from culture to culture?
‒ Every lady in this audience would be immodest in Saudi Arabia or Iran.
‒ However, if we lived among some of the tribes in the Amazon basin, their women wear little or no clothing.
‒ Both cultures are to be instructed according to God’s plan. God put clothes on people for good reason.
‒ Then to question 1. What is “immodest clothing” in terms of indecency? We think that making rules as to inches and length will make everything alright, but there is a better answer to what is indecent.
‒ Immodest: clothing which is too revealing, wether too low, too thin, too transparent, too tight. Clothing that calls improper attention to sexuality.
1. Here are some synonyms listed in the Thesaurus of my computer: debased, erotic, immoral, daring, improper, inappropriate, indecent, obscene, off-color, shameful.
‒ Our culture and sexuality.
‒ Clothing becomes indecent when it draws attention to sexual things.
‒ We live in a sex-crazed society. (Just this week there were two men arrested for abusing child pornography.) (TV, Sexual talk, music, and movies.)
‒ You might say, “What does that have to do with dress?” It has everything to do with it.
1. It is a shame that we, even in the church, have relaxed our morals when it comes to modesty and indecency.
2. The REAL issue when it comes to modesty is purity.
3. Focusing to much on sexuality causes us to relax.
3. Modesty and young people (Tell about the recent visit by the elders in a parents’ meeting.)
‒ I have been approached many times by many different people as youth minister over the past 17 years. The conversation usually runs like this:
‒ “Why in the world are our young people wearing those (shorts, short dresses, tight clothes, loose clothes, ear rings, etc)?
‒ “Well, I really don’t know.”
‒ “Well, why can’t you do something about it! After all, you are the youth minister.”
‒ Here are some things that I have always wanted to say about that and have even said it to some.
‒ PARENTS: “I have my own to raise. I can’t raise yours.”
1. I have often ask “how in the world can some of our daddies let their girls walk out of the house wearing things that they know draws attention to them sexually?
2. Too much make-up, too little clothes drives the minds of boys wild.
1. Some say, “Well, they are going to think it anyway.”
2. Some say, “I think that boys are just perverted.”
3. Both statements may be true, but we are to be in the business of helping people go to heaven, not hindering them.
1. The boys have the responsibility to turn their head. How David would have changed his life if he had turn his head and eyes. Matthew 5:28-29 (NCV) "But I tell you that if anyone looks at a woman and wants to sin sexually with her, in his mind he has already done that sin with the woman. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, take it out and throw it away. It is better to lose one part of your body than to have your whole body thrown into hell."
2. The girls have the responsibility to make it easier. There is a sense that one can cause another to sin by their actions. Matthew 18:6 (NCV) "If one of these little children believes in me, and someone causes that child to sin, it would be better for that person to have a large stone tied around the neck and be drowned in the sea."
‒ OLDER WOMEN AND MEN: “The Bible says, Titus 2:3-5 (NCV) "In the same way, teach older women to be holy in their behavior, not speaking against others or enslaved to too much wine, but teaching what is good. 4 Then they can teach the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be wise and pure, to be good workers at home, to be kind, and to yield to their husbands. Then no one will be able to criticize the teaching God gave us."
‒ ELDERS: Our elders will answer for your spiritual soul. And whereas they need not make rules and laws where God has not, the Bible teaches that our elders are to shepherd the flock. God has called them to oversee the spiritual needs of the church.
1. We need spiritual guidance from them on this and other spiritual issues.
Conclusion: (Romans 12:2 NCV) "Do not change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect."
**Do not let the world press you into its mold.
Bottom line is that modesty DOES matter.
‒ Christianity affects all parts of life: speech, action, dress, everything.
‒ Let it be said of us that we are trying all that we can to be people of purity and respect for God’s wishes.
‒ This takes humility.
‒ This takes repentance. Maybe not walking down the aisle, but a change of lifestyle in what you wear.
‒ May God help us to do what is right.
