Modesty free essay sample

A woman must not wear mens clothing, nor a man wear womens clothing, for the LORD your God detests anyone who does this. The desire to emulate men in dress has seriously affected the fine and noble characteristics of womanhood. Often it takes a second glance to determine the sex of a woman today, due to the distorted and strange garb she wears and the close proximity of her attire to that of a man. The Scriptures call this practice an abomination unto God, or something God hates. Perhaps some will say this standard has changed due to the inception of the age of grace introduced by Jesus Christ. But this verse deals with moral law and with the nature of God, which never change, not with a ceremonial ritual fulfilled by Christ. Moreover, when the Apostle Peter wished to instruct Christian women about proper conduct, he used Sarah, the wife of Abraham, as his example (I Peter 3:5). Thus, we are not out of order in this instance to use a verse of Scripture from the law. We rightfully go back over the years and learn a spiritual lesson that sharply rebukes the customs and practices of our day. You see, all these questions that people argue about can be settled just by plain old common sense. The principle is to let the appearance be different enough that folks won’t have any doubt. That’s the way to answer it all. You don’t have to get everybody’s ok on this piece of clothing, or that one, just draw the line and determine to wear something that no one will ever have a doubt about. It’s going to look like man’s clothing. It’s going to look like women’s clothing. What about when working out in the field? What about women working in factories? What about women who have to climb on ladders? Don’t they need something modest? Yes, they do need something modest. I used to see women out in the field picking cotton and so on. I used to see them wear overalls, but I also saw some of them pit dresses on over their overalls. That was common when I was a girl. Now I know that some of them didn’t wear dresses over their overalls. Some of them did others things that were wrong, too. You know, too, there are some other things to wear, such as culottes, which are just as modest and still look feminine. That’s what you ought to wear. If you can’t buy any, get a sewing machine and learn how to sew It’s worth the expense and trouble to make that adjustment if you are going to have convictions. Do not wear clothing that the opposite sex wears. And if you are in doubt about it, just don’t and you will be safe. Just make sure that what you wear identifies you as a male or as a female and not in a way that a person would have to look at the tempting zones of the body to tell whether or not you are a male or female. This is what the Devil wants you to do, and surely you don’t want to cooperate with the Devil on this matter. Second, what do you look like when you wear these clothes? What do you look like from a distance? You’ve had the same experience that I’ve had of being out in public and seeing somebody at a distance and not being really sure if that person is a male or a female. You can’t tell by the clothes, because girls wear pants just like boys do. They wear T-shirts just like boys do. The boys often have their hair just as long as the girls (or the girls’ just as short as the boys), so you look at someone from a distance and you often cannot tell if the person is a male or a female. The only way you can tell is to look at those portions of the body that distinguish between male and female, and by the way, this is the Devil’s reason behind it all. That is what he wants you to look at. He doesn’t want you to look at somebody’s head; he wants you to look other places. That is one of the things that makes this so wrong, and we need to see that. We should not wear clothing which at a distance would make anybody wonder whether we are male or female. Her hair style is again predicated upon the Word of God, which teaches her to let her hair grow uncut: Is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering (I Corinthians 11:13-15). Here are the biblical guidelines concerning Christian example in dress for women. 1. Modesty 2. Moderation in cost. 3. Inclination toward godliness (decency). 4. Avoidance of outward adornment. 5. Shamefacedness and sobriety. 6. Distinction between male and female. Sailors may have played a role in the dissemination of trousers as a fashion around the world. In the 17th and 18th centuries, sailors wore baggy trousers known as galligaskins. Sailors were also the first to wear jeanstrousers made of denim. These became more popular in the late 19th century in the American West, because of their ruggedness and durability. In ancient China, trousers were only worn by Calvary. According to tradition, they were first introduced by King Wu of Zhao in 375 BC, who copied the custom from non-Chinese horsemen on his northern border. Tim 2:8-10 I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing. I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 10but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. Peter 3:1-5 Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in Gods sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. Holy women of old concentrated on adorning their spiritual life by developing the character of the heart. This is the major concentration and beautification of the Christian woman. Thus, the Apostle Peter used the great dedication of women of another age to impress the women of the first century with the need for the ornament or adornment of a meek and quiet spirit. By the same token, we are within reasonable and scriptural rights to insist that Christian women today heed the influential, sensible, and divinely inspired advice of the apostles. Paul admonished women to dress according to certain standards and listed them in this order: modesty, inexpensive and nonornamental attire, and clothing that becomes godliness. To be modest means to be decent and respectful. The apostolic Christian woman seeks to emulate all the fine virtues of Christian womanhood, so she carefully and prayerfully selects her attire in order not to unduly expose her body to the stares of the public. She is not so old-fashioned as to look like a monstrosity, but she is deliberately methodical in choosing clothing that will dignify her womanhood without provoking the stares of the opposite sex. She has dedicated herself to the cause of Christianity. This manner of dedication avoids expensive, extravagant clothing and superfluous, ornamental jewelry, permitting only the functional use of a wristwatch and a wedding band to designate her wedlock. The great needs of Christian evangelism and charitable assistance to the poor demand that she deny herself the exorbitant tastes of expensive fads so that she might practice the Christian art of concern for others. In this manner, she professes a godliness that stems from a heartfelt desire for virtuous, holy living. Holiness involves both the inner man and the outer man (I Corinthians 6:19-20; I Thessalonians 5:23). We must perfect holiness by cleansing ourselves of filthiness both of the flesh and of the spirit (II Corinthians 7:1). For example, lustful thoughts are as sinful as an act of adultery (Matthew 5:27-28). Holiness, then, includes attitudes, thoughts, and spiritual stewardship on the one hand and actions, appearance, and physical stewardship on the other. One without the other is insufficient. Inward holiness will produce outward holiness, but the outward appearance of holiness is worthless without inward holiness. For example, a modest spirit will produce modest dress, but modest dress is of little value if it conceals a lustful heart. Holiness or sanctification is not a means of earning salvation but a result of salvation. As such, it comes by grace through faith. Holiness cannot be manufactured bywords of the flesh but must come as we submit to the leadership and control of the Holy Spirit. We are holy in a twofold sense. On the one hand, we receive an immediate sanctification (separation from sin) through the death of Christ when we are baptized in Jesus’ name and filled with the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 6:11; Hebrews10:10). God counts us holy by imputing Christ’s righteousness to us. On the other hand, we must follow after and seek holiness (Hebrews 12:14). We must strive after holiness and receive the progressive work of sanctification. We are already sanctified, but we are also called to be saints (sanctified, holy ones) (I Corinthians 1:2). Many times what we wear helps to mold their expectations as well as our own. When a woman wears an immodest dress, she begins to think of herself as seductive and acts accordingly. Other people perceive her as provocative and treat her as such, which reinforces her behavior. In short, appearance both reflects and to large degree determines what we are in the eyes of self and others. The basic reason for modesty of dress is to subdue the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life. The exposed body tends to arouse improper thoughts in both wearer and onlooker. To implement the purpose behind modest dress, the body should basically be covered, except for those parts which we must use openly for normal living. This suggests that clothes should cover the torso and upper limbs. Reasonable guidelines, then, would-be women’s dresses over the knee. In addition, we should avoid low necklines, sleeveless dresses or shirts, very tight clothes, very thin clothes, and slacks on women because they immodestly reveal the feminine contours of upper leg, thigh, and hip. Likewise, swimming in mixed company is immodest. Since the primary effect of makeup is to highlight sex appeal, we reject makeup as immodest. To strive to please the Lord. That is the ultimate goal of the Apostolic lady. Those in Pentecost know there is nothing more attractive than a precious saint whose love for Jesus shines upon her face and is shown to the world in a kind character! Does it fit properly? Remember you are a daughter of the King! No reason to dress frumpy, but dont go too far in the opposite direction! Always keep an attitude of modesty in mind! Is it too tight, flashy, or revealing? A good rule of thumb I use to judge an outfit is would I feel comfortable talking to my pastor wearing it? Would I want my daughter to wear it? Many sisters use the four finger rule for necklines. Place four fingers below the notch at the bottom of your neck, if the neckline plunges below your pinkie finger it might be too low! Check the sleeves, if you can see your underclothing or into your shirt when you lift your arms consider the sleeves may be too short or too wide. You want to be able to lift your arms in worship without any doubting! Regarding slits in skirts or dresses, if you were to take a pair of scissors and cut off the skirt at the top, would it be too short? If the answer is yes, then the slit is too high! Sew it shut or add a triangle piece of scrap denim to fill it in! Is it suitable for the occasion? While we always want to look neat and tidy, the Apostolic lady never wants to appear over or under dressed. Take the time to double check, you want to be focused entirely on the Lord and not be worried about your outfit after you leave home! What Should I Look for While Shopping? The Apostolic lady always appears in clothing which celebrates her gender. A good rule of thumb to follow is the outline of her shape should not be defined above the knee. When purchasing a skirt or dress be sure to bend from the waist and at the knee. Sit down in the dressing room and ensure your skirt stays put! Some naysayers will try and convince you that you are handicapped in a skirt, not so! Many sisters enjoy outdoor activities such as horseback riding, hiking, gardening, bike riding etc. while maintaining their modesty and femininity. Remember the more you strive to please the Lord, the more He will bless you! I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto god, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12: 1-2 I Should Be Ashamed To Be Naked. The Bible consistently associates shame with nakedness. This is found in both the Old and New Testaments (Micah 1:11; Nahum 3:5; Rev. 3:18, 16:15). In the beginning, man and woman were completely naked. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed (Gen. 2:25; all quotations taken from NKJV). There was no shame because there was no knowledge of good and evil. After they sinned, their eyes were opened, they knew that they were naked and sewed fig leaves together to make coverings for themselves (Gen. 3:7). What happened next teaches a lesson that many brethren have yet to learn: We dont have to be completely nude to be Biblically naked. Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, Where are you? So he said, I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself. And He said, Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat? (Gen. 3:9-11). Adam was covered with fig leaves, yet he said he was naked and hid himself in shame. Notice God did not tell him he was not naked. He agreed with Adams conclusion. Adam wasnt clothed until verse 21: Also for Adam and his wife the LORD God made tunics of skin, and clothed them. Why was man still naked in the covering he made for himself, but clothed in the covering God made for him? The garment God made was more adequate, not because of the material it was made out of, but because of the parts of the body that it covered. Man was not clothed until his nakedness was covered. Are we going to be so bold in our dress as to reveal what God has covered? Some brethren are. Some people like to play the where is it game when it comes to modesty. Where is the line? How short is too short? How low is too low? How tight is too tight? I played this game too, until I realized that it was avoiding the real issue. Nakedness has to do with exposing parts of the body, not in measuring the fabric of the clothing. As we have already pointed out, we can have clothes on and still be naked in a Biblical sense. While some brethren are looking for that line between modest and immodest, they overlook the fact that the Bible has been very specific in telling us what is to be covered. There are certain parts of the body which, if left uncovered and exposed, constitute nakedness. The Thigh. Take the millstones and grind meal. Remove your veil, take off the skirt, uncover the thigh, pass through the rivers. Your nakedness shall be uncovered, yes, your shame will be seen; (Isaiah 47:2-3). To reveal the flesh of the thigh is to be naked, and should cause shame. Any clothing which reveals the flesh or form of the thigh is immodest. This would include (but is certainly not limited to) shorts, spandex jogging shorts, swimsuits, mini skirts, skirts with long slits, cheerleading uniforms and many athletic uniforms. The Buttocks. So shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians as prisoners and the Ethiopians as captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, with their buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt (Isaiah 20:4). To expose the buttocks is to be naked, and should cause shame. Any clothing which reveals the flesh or form of the buttocks is immodest. This would include short shorts, mens and womens swimsuits, pants hanging off waist, hip-huggers, etc. The B reasts. I made you thrive like a plant in the field; and you grew, matured, and became very beautiful. Your breasts were formed, your hair grew, but you were naked and bare (Ezekiel 16:7). To expose the breast is to be naked, and should cause shame. Any clothing which reveals the breast (in part or in whole), or is specifically made to showcase or augment the form of the breast is immodest. This would include low cut tops, loose fitting sleeveless tops, tube tops, tight sweaters, push-up bras, etc. This would also apply to men going without a shirt, wearing a muscle shirt, or leaving their shirt unbuttoned. 1. The Bible clearly specifies which body parts need covering. To wear clothing which reveals, exposes, or draws attention to these parts of the body is to dress immodestly. Proximity to a large body of water, or to a swimming facility, doesnt make a swimsuit modest. Calling sports (cross-country, wrestling, basketball, gymnastics, etc. ) or cheerleading outfits a uniform does not make them modest. If these popular garments expose the thigh, buttocks or breasts (mens chest), the one wearing them is naked in a Biblical sense, and ought to be ashamed. 2. I Dont Want To Advertise Something About Myself That Isnt True. Our clothing sends a message. The Bible talks about a Christian woman professing godliness in her dress and conduct (1 Timothy 2:9-10). It also talks about the attire of a harlot (Proverbs 7:10). It is interesting to note what some in the world have to say about todays popular fashions. They willingly admit what some Christians try to deny. The legs, breast, buttocks and midriff of a woman will attract the attention of men. The muscular build of a man (shoulders, arms, chest and buttocks) will attract the attention of women. Clothing designers know this, and many of todays fashions are made to empower men and women with the ability to attract this attention to themselves. Most reasonable people will admit that this attention is actually lust. Clothing which reveals parts of the body meant to be covered will incite lust in members of the opposite sex. The clothing is going to do what it is designed to do even if the person wearing it is a Christian. It sends a message that Christians shouldnt be sending. It invites sexual attention. It leads people on. 3. I Dont Want To Cause Another To Stumble. Then He said to the disciples, It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones' (Luke 17:1-2). The Lord condemned those who would be stumbling blocks. He shows, with graphic language, that it would be better for one to die a brutal death of drowning before offending another than to face Him in judgment after doing so. We have already pointed out that some clothing is designed to produce lust. What is wrong with lust? Why cant we Look But Dont Touch? Whats wrong with giving others something to look at? The Bible does not portray lust as an innocent thing to be enjoyed, but as a dangerous thing to be avoided. Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul (1 Peter 2:11). Lusts are those things which will cause us to lose our souls in Hell. Flee also youthful lusts ldots; (2 Timothy 2:22). We are to flee lusts, not invite them. Whatever naturally provokes and excites these sinful lusts must be opposed and avoided -including the wearing of revealing clothing. The sight of bare flesh provokes lust. Young people have more power in this area than many of them realize. They need to be aware, not only of the signals they are sending with immodest clothing, but of the affect it has on others. To dress or behave in such a way as to cause one to lust is to be a stumbling block. I Need To Be Careful To Preserve A Good Conscience. The conscience is what holds everything in check. It is our warning system which tells us when we are about to do something wrong. The Bible warns that after we have violated our conscience enough, it can become hardened and no longer work (1 Tim. 4:2). Once that restraint is gone there is nothing left to keep us from going further into sin, and nothing left through which God can appeal unto us to repent. Some obviously look upon immodest dress as a little thing. Why are some brethren wanting to make such a big deal out of it? Because we know that big things come from little things. The Bible teaches that sin becomes progressively worse, not better: But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived (2 Tim. :13). If I can convince myself that nothing is wrong with dressing immodestly, it will not be hard to convince myself that nothing is wrong with mixed swimming, dancing, drinking, bad language, petting and fornication. Conclusion: Approaching immodest dress from this point of view is not meant to leave the impression that the matter is open to personal interpretation. Nakedness is clearly defined for us in the Bible. Gods word specifies what parts of the body are to be covered, and common sense tells us why they need to be covered. Christians who still insist on dressing immodestly are violating both.