Women: Modest Dress

[Chad]

Women: Modest Dress

Our society has done away with all decency in the way they dress. When Janet Jackson can have her breast exposed on national television, we have a problem in our society.

The Webster's College Dictionary defines modest as: "having or showing regard for the decencies of behavior, speech, dress, etc.; decent."

Our society has done away with all decency in the way they dress. When Janet Jackson can have her breast exposed on national television, we have a problem in our society

Christians are even falling victim to the decline in decency as well. I was watching the Christian Music Awards a few years ago, and the way some of the ladies were dressed was just unbelievable. It’s even affecting our younger generation as well. Eleven year olds are even dressing revealing; showing their stomachs, wearing low cut shirts and tight jeans that show every little curve. Where are we headed as Christians? We are supposed to be lights in this world setting the standards of Godliness. Some of us have failed miserably.

Let’s take a look at what the Bible has to say about modest (or decent) dress.

1 Timothy 2:9-10, “In like manner also, that women adorn (dress) themselves in modest (decent) apparel, with shamefacedness {bashfulness} and sobriety ;{ self-control} not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But which becometh women professing godliness with good works."

The Bible encourages Christian young ladies to dress themselves in decent clothing. He also says to dress decently with shamefacedness. That means to bush or be bashful and shy. There is no sense of bashfulness in the way many Christian young ladies are dressing today. They are showing things that only their future husbands should be allowed to see. Young ladies should be shy when it comes to a guy, who is not their husband, looking at their body.

It then says that they should dress with sobriety, which is self-control. Young ladies need to exercise self-control and discipline when they buy their clothes and put their clothes on in the morning. You need to ask yourselves, “Is this decent? Is this something that Jesus would want me to wear? Will it cause a guy to lust after me?” If the answer to the first two questions is no and the answer to the last one is yes, then you do not need to wear it.

Finally, it says to dress in away that is suitable for a young lady professing godliness. If you’re a Christian and claim Christ as your savior, then every part of your life should be based on that truth. Right down to the shocks you put on. That may be a little extreme, but it proves my Point. Our whole entire lives, including our clothes, should reflect Christ. Do your clothes proclaim to the world that you are a Christian who lives for Christ, or do they proclaim that you’re just like the ungodly world?

If you are dressing revealing, you’re not only disobeying God’s word, but you may be causing guys around you to look at you in a sinful and lustful way as well. Jesus says that if we as guys, look on a young lady to lust after her, then we have committed adultery with her in our hearts. I know there are some perverts out there who would still get turned on if you wore a dress down to you ankles and a hood over your head. You can not help that, but if you are dressing revealing, you are guilty of setting a stubbing block in front of your brothers in Christ.

I didn’t write this out of condemnation, or self-righteousness, but out of love and compassion. I am not perfect myself, but I strive to be more like Christ in my daily life. I just want to encourage you guys to live a life of holiness. However, looking holy on the outside will not get you to heaven. Only a personal relationship with Jesus Christ will get you to heaven. He will change you from the inside out.

Article from Annointed Youth

 

[Praiseius_Max]

modest dress

i coulnt agree more.. i see this every sunday in my church.. wearing clothing that is not appropiate to wear in the house of God. Pastor had adressed this issue a couple times , but either they dont get it,, or they just dont care

 

[knowprayr]

ANd once a yuoung women hears this message, it then becomes a conviction procees that pierces the heart. One should feel shamed in dressing inappropriately. Not only that, GOd is now looking at the intentions of the heart. "AM i wearing this skirt because its suitable and decent to wear, or am I wearing this skirt becasue no one can tell me what to do?"

Disobedience is disobedience in all realms of the word. Now you're held accountable to the teachings installed in you. When your judgement comes, God is either going to look in that area and say well done, or you failed to lift up a standard. No fashion critic will come and give you a score. It will be you....and Him.

 

[lauralc]

Very good read! I know for the last year or so, I have been really aware of things that I tend to wear or buy. I try to stay "trendy" but modest at the same time. I like the fact that I look modest compared to most women my age who go for the tight, shows-to-much clothing.

 

[WangLili]

ANd once a yuoung women hears this message, it then becomes a conviction procees that pierces the heart. One should feel shamed in dressing inappropriately. Not only that, GOd is now looking at the intentions of the heart. "AM i wearing this skirt because its suitable and decent to wear, or am I wearing this skirt becasue no one can tell me what to do?"

Disobedience is disobedience in all realms of the word. Now you're held accountable to the teachings installed in you. When your judgement comes, God is either going to look in that area and say well done, or you failed to lift up a standard. No fashion critic will come and give you a score. It will be you....and Him.

I totally agree. Amen to that!

 

[Questioning]

I think people should dress how they wish to present themselves. If a person dresses provocatively then that's the image of themselves that they want to represent. If somebody, deep down, feels like a hooker, then they probably will dress that way, and the rest of us will know what they truly feel like inside. Truth in advertising and all. So while I don't have a problem with a person dressing provocatively, I will think of them differently then if they were wearing clothing that was appropriate for the time and place.

knowprayr made a good point about people dressing appropriately, and it makes more sense to dress appropriately to the situation and your own comfort than out of a sense of duty. Usually when a person garners attention for their dress it's because of it's inappropriateness to the situation, not the actual clothing itself. What would be labeled "provocative" in a business meeting is not the same as what would be labeled "provocative" on a boy scout camping trip. Context is key.

 

[Boanerges]

Rom 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

1Co 8:9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.


How we act and/or present ourselves is not all about us. Jesus was not about pleasing Himself but bringing us back into fellowship with the Father. Can anyone justify using their own personal liberty in a way that causes others in faith or struggling to stumble?
My friends, let us prefer one another in love and thus glorify our Lord in all we do.

Rom 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Rom 15:2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
Rom 15:3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.

1Co 8:11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
1Co 8:12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.

 

[Questioning]

Can anyone justify using their own personal liberty in a way that causes others in faith or struggling to stumble?

I assume that people can, but whether or not they should is another matter. I suppose that one way that someone could make this justification is if that they thought that the target faith was wrong. In such a case the individual justifying his/her behavior would justify their liberty by saying that the other individual shouldn't have that particular faith anyway, so they are doing well to cause a believer of that faith to "stumble."

Imagine it this way, Boanerges: Suppose you become friends with a devout Muslim. You witness to him/her and minister to him/her from your own faith. The very act of witnessing to that person IS using your liberty to cause him/her to stumble/struggle in his islamic faith. I'm sure that you see this is a good thing, in this case, so there you go. You're using your personal liberty to cause someone to stumble in their faith, and you're justifying it for the cause of christ. Yes?

 

[evstevemd]

I think people should know what Christianity is.
It is not all about fashion/Trendy. It is all about Jesus, to the glory of Jesus!

Colossians 3
1If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

1Corinthians 10:31
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Colossians 3:17

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

God help us!

 

[Boanerges]

Imagine it this way, Boanerges: Suppose you become friends with a devout Muslim. You witness to him/her and minister to him/her from your own faith. The very act of witnessing to that person IS using your liberty to cause him/her to stumble/struggle in his islamic faith

Faith in deception such as the Muslim religion refereed to here is bondage at best. I believe this conversation was about how a Christian should act and we have the great commission to witness to all such lost souls. I am not sure how this compares to someone dressing in a way that causes one weak in an area of their life to stumble.

 

[Chad]

Imagine it this way, Boanerges: Suppose you become friends with a devout Muslim. You witness to him/her and minister to him/her from your own faith. The very act of witnessing to that person IS using your liberty to cause him/her to stumble/struggle in his islamic faith. I'm sure that you see this is a good thing, in this case, so there you go. You're using your personal liberty to cause someone to stumble in their faith, and you're justifying it for the cause of christ. Yes?

Muslims cause themselves to stumble by believing in what they believe, the quaran. Your example is completely unrelated and intellectually void in what the thread's topic is about and of course, a Christian witnessing to a 'devout muslim'.

A Christian witnessing to a lost soul is powerful, backed by the Holy Spirit of Christ. A devout muslim is already fallen into the trap of deceit, the lies of Satan.

 

[MelodyC]

Chad not only have women stopped dresssing modestly even if you want to wear something a bit more covering you can't find it in the shops today.

These designers today I'm sure are intentionally designing fashion to make women look like prostitutes.

Anyway I have to wear a mens everyday white t-shirt with the round neck under these v-necked tops so you can't see my bra or breasts when I bend over. Honestly I wouldn't have to wear layers if there were tops that covered you up. When I find them I buy a few of the same thing because I may not find another top as good.

So frustrating.

Young girls haven't got a clue what fashion used to be like. Gone are the days of elegant (past the knee) skirts and dresses which buttoned up, covered breasts and had sleeves or nice jackets that gave some modesty.

 

[beky]

It's so true, that God likes the modest dress. But God must change everyone to obey to His Word.

 

[trucker]

Modest Dress

Great posts, it is a huge problem within the church right now. Why? I do not understand why families are not teaching the young ladies that dressing modestly is stylish. One brother mentioned we are not to be stumbling blocks to others. Great post!

Many women dress way to revealing now a days. I am 55, but I am not dead! LOL

Ladies, when you wear revealing clothing, it causes men to struggle with their thoughts and their eyes. I hear women say, well you need to be stronger, my reply is no, you need to understand what you are doing and the effect it is having on the men around you. You are being a stumbling block.

Now, I am not an advocate of the burlap bag look, but I have seen a time in this nation that women wore clothes that were stunning, modest and really brought the best out in them. If you are revealing flesh, then you are attracting the wrong kind of attention! Men are looking at you for what they can get from you, not what they can give or share with you.

Think about it!

God bless you all,

Kevin (Trucker)

 

[MelodyC]

Trucker,

I agree. I became a Christian when i was in my early twenties and an older Christian lady had a talk with several of us young ladies about this. Compared to taday we would have been modest in our dress but this lady came from an era where you were expected to be covered neck to knee to be modest. So we did take more care in the length of our dresses and the types of tops we wore.

I'm now the older lady and I have also spoken to a few young ladies about the fact when they bend over their low hip jeans show of their undies or even more. Well I got an earful and told off for being a judgemental old busy body. I had a good relationship with young women and felt I could speak to them about this. I'm not the only older woman at Church to have done so and been told off about it. These young women are now young mothers and they are still showing off much flesh and yet they think they are being Godly?

We didn't ask them to cover up neck to knee (as I was in my day) just not wear tops/shirts or jeans that show of breasts and the top of their bottoms or undies. Everytime they bend over to pick up kids it's like a quick shot of what you would see on a Men's magazine.

At least know there are older women out there doing our bit trying to get the younger ones to think about their dress and how it isn't appropriate. However it's like talking to a brick wall. These girls don't want to hear it.

Trust me I have 3 step-daughters(now in their late twenties). I went through all this with them and only 2 out of 3 got the point and are wonderfully mindful of dressing to get respect.

 

[evstevemd]

At least know there are older women out there doing our bit trying to get the younger ones to think about their dress and how it isn't appropriate. However it's like talking to a brick wall. These girls don't want to hear it.

As I was reading your post I could resist to post this verse 2 Timothy 4:3

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;


Very sad but it is the truth :shock:

 

[dannibear]

It's so true, that God likes the modest dress. But God must change everyone to obey to His Word.

That, and I couldnt help but also remember a quote from Mahatma Gandhi:
Be the change you want to see in the world.

 

[MelodyC]

That, and I couldnt help but also remember a quote from Mahatma Gandhi:
Be the change you want to see in the world.

Mahatma Ghandi

Be the change you want to see in the world. ?????

Well that is a typical rebellious humanistic self centered statement.

As Christians we don't try to get what change "WE want to see", we are committed to Changes GOD wants in US.

Our Father who is in Heaven Holy be thy Name
Thy kingdom come, Thy Will be Done on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Sorry but you are quoting a Hindu who had no insight into what God desires for His Children. I'm not against secular quotes as some of them are based on Godly wisdom but this one is certainly NOT!


As Believers, people who have repented and recieved Christ we are not longer self-centered and self-willed but Christ centered and desire God's Will in our lives.

2CO 5:16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!


EPH 4:17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.

EPH 4:20 You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21 Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

 

[dannibear]

Well that is a typical rebellious humanistic self centered statement.

Well first, I didnt mean for it to be, and second, that offended me...quite a bit. I did not intentionally make that statement to be 'rebellious or self centered.' Sorry it came across that way.

As Christians we don't try to get what change "WE want to see", we are committed to Changes GOD wants in US.

I understand what you are saying, but my reasoning behind it when I posted that quote was because it reminds me of my church family. Most of
the women dress very nicely AND modestly, and one of them told me that
they dress as an example for the young girls including me that go to youthgroup there. They dress in a nice but still modest way, because some of the girls once complained about their way of dress not 'being in style'.
So she said she wanted to dress this way in hopes they will see and follow example, also being 'the change you want to see in the world.' She took that statement and used it to get the young girls in our youthgroup to change for Christ.

 

[derek6711]

Mahatma Ghandi

Be the change you want to see in the world. ?????

Well that is a typical rebellious humanistic self centered statement.

As Christians we don't try to get what change "WE want to see", we are committed to Changes GOD wants in US.

Our Father who is in Heaven Holy be thy Name
Thy kingdom come, Thy Will be Done on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Sorry but you are quoting a Hindu who had no insight into what God desires for His Children. I'm not against secular quotes as some of them are based on Godly wisdom but this one is certainly NOT!


As Believers, people who have repented and recieved Christ we are not longer self-centered and self-willed but Christ centered and desire God's Will in our lives.

try to show the fruit of the spirit as God would want you to.

Galations 5:22
But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, , faithfullness, gentleness and self-control.