Practicing Holiness: Modest Dress

Introduction:

This can be a touchy subject.  Some resent questions & teaching on this subject. But, Christians have an obligation to make sure their dress is appropriate & modest. There is a proper code of dress that we must adhere to. How is your dress?

I. Standards we must be careful not to be ruled by when it comes to this topic.

  1. What I think.; What parents think.
  2. What other Christians think. What friends think.
  3. What the world (fashion industry, media, etc.) thinks.

I . A Look At The Beginning.

  1. Gen. 2:25 - Adam & Eve were naked and not ashamed.
  2. One is biblically naked if he/she is totally nude or inadequately clothed
  3. Our concept of nakedness, might not be God’s concept.       Isa. 55:8-9

II. New Testament Guidelines.

A.    If we claim to be holy, we must be practicing holiness.

B.    Notice what the New Testament says about proper dress: I Tim. 2:9

1.     Proper  – “a sense of shame”

2.     Modestly  – “orderly; well arranged; decent”

3.     Discreetly – “of sound mind; self-controlled”

4.     Maintain male/female distinctions – Deut. 22:5; I Cor. 6:9

III.  Guidelines For Acceptable Biblical Dress.

A.    What is Unacceptable bodily coverage?

B.    What is Acceptable bodily coverage?

1.     God’s garments (tunics) – A sleeved garment reaching from the top of the shoulders, down over the thighs, to the knees.

IV.  Ways To Be Immodest.

A.    Remember, biblical nakedness includes nudity and being partially covered.

B.    Consider some ways we can be immodest.  Clothes that are:

1.     Too short – too revealing.  Too sheer – can see through.

2.     Too tight – Doesn’t leave much to the imagination. Too loose.

3.     Careless body positioning and movements.

V.  Questions To Ask Before We Dress.

A.   Can I stand, walk, sit, kneel, etc. without being naked by biblical standards?

B.    Does my clothing emphasize certain body parts or area that tend to provoke lust?

C.    Does my clothing stir admiration and respect for me?

D.   Does my clothing suggest an abundance or lack of upright character?

E.    What kind of influence will my clothing have on those who are not Christians?

F.    What kind of influence will my clothing have on those who are Christians?

G.   Would I wear this if Jesus was in my personal physical presence?

VI.  Effect On Society.

A.    Everything we do impacts the people around us (our dress is but one).

B.    Consider Immodesty’s impact on us and immodesty’s impact on others:

Conclusion

A.    There is a proper code of dress that we must adhere to.

B.    How is your dress?