|
|
MODESTY
-Introduction -Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve addressed the topic of clothing. -Two weeks ago, the bulletin article involved the topic of clothing. -Last week, we talked about the clothing of utmost importance - our spiritual clothing. -And, even though our spiritual clothing is the most important, let’s not gather the wrong idea that physical clothing isn’t important as well. -Now I’m not talking about whether one wears particular name brands. I’m certainly not advocating the idea of developing an hierarchy of status and popularity based upon clothes. -But, as I’ve said before, there is an ongoing danger in the life of becoming desensitized to sin. -2 Cor 6:17-18 -We must remember that we are to be an influence to the world rather than being influenced by the world. -We as Christians must be different from the ways of the world. -When others look at you, do they see a difference in you? -When people see your appearance, manner of dress, do they see a difference? -The topic of appearance is one with which society has lost its sense of shame and ability to blush. Unfortunately, some Christians have, too. -Contrast Ezra 9:6 to Jer 6:15, 8:12 -I’m afraid that there are those who don’t truly realize they are dressing immodestly. They are desensitized and following the standards in our society. -And, there are those who are concerned about modesty and want to defend it but don’t really know how to do so from the scriptures. -So, let’s turn to the scriptures and see what we can learn about the important but neglected topic of modesty.
-Modesty and 1 Tim 2:9 -In 1 Tim 2:9, we find the only occurrence of the word “modest” in all of the scriptures (KJV). -modest – (Vines)- kosmios – orderly, well-arranged, decent, modest” -Same word translated “of good behaviour” in 1 Tim 3:2. -But, let’s look at a couple of words in this verse – 1 Tim 2:9. -shamefacedness – (Vines) – aido – a sense of shame, modesty -sobriety – (Vines) – sophrosune – denotes “soundness of mind”, good judgment -Notice, dressing modestly requires a sense of shame and our appearance involves our mind – the use of good judgment – or at least it should. -Do you give much thought to your manner of dress in terms of modesty? -In 1 Tim 2:9, the women were drawing attention to themselves with their appearance. -What type of attention do you attract by your manner of appearance? -You better pay attention to the way you dress because others will.
-Lasciviousness -Mark 7:20-22 -I’m sure most of us know those words that Jesus used to describe sins – or most of them anyway. (adulteries, fornications, murders, deceits, etc) -But what about lasciviousness? -lasciviousness – (Vines) – aselgeia – …absence of restraint, indecency… -Remember the definition of the word translated “modest” in 1 Tim 2:9? - decent -2 Cor 12:20-21 -Gal 5:16-21 -Rom 13:13 – same Greek word translated “wantonness” -The scriptures (in KJV) only contain the word “modest” one time, but they very clearly condemn lasciviousness which is the opposite of modesty. -And, did you notice the link in the previous passages between immodesty and lust? -1 John 2:15-17
-Lust -Our manner of dress, if immodest, could contribute to another person’s lust. -Some might say, “If somebody lusts after me because of my manner of dress, that’s their problem not mine. Some people would lust regardless of how another is dressed.” -Some people do have a problem with lust. And, if they lust after somebody who is modestly dressed, it is their problem. -But, if the person they lust after is immodestly dressed, it is the problem of both. -We as Christians must be mindful of others and should not contribute to sin. -Matt 18:7 -Example of the Christian father: -A young lady came home in a rage because a man had spoken very disrespectfully to her. Her mother was also angry and wanted the father to do something. He did. He sat his daughter down and said, “Let me tell you a couple of things that will help you see what happened today in the proper perspective. You are not an immoral girl, but the clothes you are wearing are no different than those worn by girls who are immoral. You are young and attractive and you have learned to dress in such a way as to attract maximum attention to your beauty. I have talked with you before about the nature of men and boys when they are around women who are dressed immodestly, so you knew better than to dress as you did today. I’m sorry that you were insulted and had to hear the suggestive remarks that were made to you. But, you are as much to blame as the man.” -It is long past due for Christian fathers to take a stand on modesty – in regards to their own manner of dress, the dress of those within their households. -Also, it’s important to realize that concerns over immodesty are not restricted to the young. Just walk around Wal-Mart and observe the people. You’ll see that immodesty plagues a variety of ages.
-Do The Scriptures “Draw the Line”? -Three passages are of special interest in regards to our topic in terms of “drawing the line of modesty”. 1. Gen 3:7, 10, 21 -When Adam and Eve sinned they realized that they were naked. They then tried to clothe themselves and made “aprons” (KJV). -aprons – (Strongs) – chagowr, chagor or chagorah – a belt: apron, armour, girdle -Yet, in vs 10, Adam still refers to his condition as “naked” showing that “nakedness” in the scriptures does not always mean total nudity. -In verse 21, God made them “coats”. -coats – (Strongs) – kethoneth – to cover; a shirt: coat, garment, robe -It is akin to katheph – to clothe; the shoulder (proper, i.e. the upper end of the arm; as being the spot where the garments hang): arm, corner, shoulder, side, undersetter -This shows that merely covering their bodies in the area of their waste was not good enough in God’s sight. He also covered their upper bodies. 2. Ex 28:42 -This is in the context of the clothing worn by the priests. -Notice, they were to wear linen breeches to “cover their nakedness”. -Those breeches were to be “from the loins even unto the thighs”. -even unto – (Strongs) – ‘ad – as far as (or long or much), whether of space (even unto) or time…: against, and, as, at, even (to), …as long (much) as -Most translations have “even unto”. The Living Bible says “reaching from hips to knees”. -Again, the purpose was to “cover their nakedness”. 3. Isaiah 47:1-4 -This passage is dealing with the fall of Babylon. They would go from an high, exalted, powerful position to that of humiliation and shame. -Notice, part of this is described as to “make bare the leg, uncover the thigh”. -thigh – (Strongs) – showq - the (lower) leg (as a runner): hip, leg, shoulder, thigh -What is it that is being described here? -When you look at the meanings of the words in this passage combined with the phrase, “pass over the rivers”, it carries with it the idea of lifting up clothing while wading waters. -In so doing the person exposes the thigh and their “nakedness is uncovered”. -Can we draw any conclusions from these passages? -Nakedness is condemned in the scriptures but nakedness in the bible doesn’t always refer to total nudity. -If we are not dressed properly, we may fall under that category. -It seems that in order to follow the standards established by God through His scriptures, we must cover our bodies from the shoulders down over the thighs. -In other words, we need to cover ourselves from our shoulders to our knees.
-Summary and Invitation -Yes, cultural standards change as time goes by but Biblical standards and concepts do not. Clothing that is accepted culturally may not be acceptable Biblically. -Phil 2:12-16 -Short skirts, mini-skirts, short shorts (those shorter than the knees), low cut tops – should not be worn by Christians. -Bathing suits – in mixed company - wear something over them. -Men – in mixed company - keep your shirts on. -2 Cor 6:17-18 -Do you belong to God? To be a child of His you must obey His word. -believe, confess, repent, be baptized, walk in newness of life -Then we must act like His possession. Have you been? |
|