Truth About Modesty
For Men and Women
But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him:
for the Lord seeth not as man seeth;
for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7 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;
But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
1 Timothy 2:9-10 KJV
What is God's Design for Beauty?
Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word,
they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair,
and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible,
even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves,
being in subjection unto their own husbands:
1 Peter 3:1-5 KJV
Why is Modesty SO Important to God?
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and n a k e d:
I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be c l o t h e d
, and that the s h a m e of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Revelation 3:17-19 KJV
When our Savior died on the cross, His nakedness was part of the shame He endured.
Adam and Eve's nakedness was shameful after their first sin
The demons from ravaged those people and made them naked as a way of shaming them.
It is shameful to know another's nakedness that is not your spouse: Leviticus
Our Protests Regarding Modesty:
"But it's Hot!"
"But I'm going swimming!"
"But I'm going to exercise!"
"But I'm not married!"
"But it's my wedding day!"
"But I'm nursing my baby!"
"But everyone else is wearing immodest clothing!"
How can I compete with immodest women for my husband's eyes?
I can't afford to buy different/more clothing to cover myself!
What does Jesus's example say to our protests on modesty?
And what would Jesus do?
Jesus covered Himself when He was hot.
Jesus would cover himself when I was in the water.
Jesus says, "I covered myself when I walked."
Jesus says, "From your birth you are betrothed to Me, and, if I call you to marriage, to your future spouse. Your body belongs to Me/Us."
Jesus says, "I expect you to make, give birth to, and nurse with privacy. I am a God of balance and consistency; Cover thyself."
Jesus says, "I call you to be a strange and peculiar people to the world. Cover thyself, and stand apart for My Name's sake."
"But my husband won't want to look at me as much as other immodest women."
Jesus says, "This is a lie from Satan. Cover thyself, my precious daughter. For the worth of a Godly wife is far more than rubies. Pray for your Husband, and honor him by Honoring Me in modesty of dress. Your Heavenly Father knows what you need and does not keep any good thing from His faithful children. Seek first the kingdom of God and a husband who appreciates your Godly beauty will be added unto you."
"I can't afford to buy any more clothes!"
The bible promises that His children shall not want for any good thing. If He expects you to dress modestly, and you seek to do His will, He WILL provide!"
I can't compete:
Male Answer: God's beauty for women exceeds outward looks as well as worldly fashion. Having a gentle spirit of peace, and loving kindness are the utmost charactertics that display Godly beauty. When a woman has these, there is no worldly counterfeit (outward beauty/fashion) that compares.
Godly Standards for Modest Dress
Do's & Don't's for Men:
- Wear clothing that draws attention away from your body and toward your countenance
- Cover your skin from your neck to below your knees.
- Wear clothing that does not give anyone a clear image of what your form looks like naked.
- Wear clothing that is clean, and of functional material for your work
- Wear clothing of pleasing color, though not flashy
Do's & Don't's for Women:
If it used to be considered underwear back in the old days, it is still considered to be under-wear by God today.
Items considered to be u n d e r - w e a r for under your clothes so that they are not visible include:
leggings
lowcut tops
bras of any kind
tank tops
tight tops or bottoms
shorts
thin or fine fabrics that convey the naked form
pants (women only; note that men need to be especially careful of what manner of pants they put on. Jesus did not wear pants)
Women need to be mindful whenever they are leaning or bending to pick something up that shirts do not drape open. It is a Godly habit to practice holding the top of your shirt when you lean or stoop with the free hand. Or better yet, not to wear clothing that requires this.
Shapes from your genitalia, bottom and/or breasts should not be visible through your clothing
Male and Female cleavage should not be visible
How Should the Church respond to an Immodestly Dressed Man or Woman?
Whether the woman is a member or stranger, we are commanded to treat others as Jesus would treat them.
So what would Jesus do?
In charity, Jesus would immediately offer the person a covering such as a blanket or jacket to sufficiently cover the immodesty.
Next, in love and kindness, the person should be counseled on the subject of modesty. It should also be determined whether the person has entered immodestly due to simple lack of education or whether they will need help establishing some staple clothing items for daily use. Donations from the church should be collected to help these individuals who cannot afford to purchase clothing.
Jesus does not want men helping women or women helping men on this matter (with the exception of our spouse, family members). Men should help men. Women should help women.