“I think I get it now!”

Sunday, July 16, 2017

For over 35 years of preaching on modesty, I have always struggled to understand why so many Christians have no problem wearing revealing clothing. Perhaps I have found the answer. While recently discussing this subject, I said I would love to survey all my sisters in the Lord to know how they define the “immodest apparel” Paul referenced in I Timothy 2:9.

During this conversation, I was given an answer I had not thought about. I do not presume that this one answer represents the thinking of all my sisters in Christ. I only share this to spur thinking about the subject. As always, we shall examine this issue from God’s point of view.

Again, how do people define “immodest apparel?” I was told that “Immodest apparel is simply having an improper heart. It all has to do with one’s attitude. If a woman dresses provocatively for the purpose of wanting to create lust, then it is wrong.” Upon hearing this, I could see where this woman and perhaps others were coming from. From this point of view, it is entirely possible for a woman’s intentions to be innocent and for the man to be in error for his lust.

I can see the reasoning with idea, and it certainly answers why some Christian women feel at ease wearing very little clothing when it is hot or when they are dressed up. But is this true in God’s eyes? Can Christian women (and men too) have a proper heart when their clothing is revealing? Let’s look to God’s word to understand His will on this subject.

First of all, let’s not confuse a sincere heart with a pure heart. One who is sincere could possibly be just naïve – lacking knowledge or life experience, they simply may not have given the matter much thought. Such a person may very well be upset if someone was lusting after them. But ignorance is not bliss. People can be sincerely wrong on any issue, especially dress. A pure heart is found in someone who is seeking to be holy by following the teachings of our Lord.

So how does God define “immodest apparel?” In Proverbs 6:10, Solomon spoke about the attire of a harlot. According to the argument I was given, this would mean that you can only have the attire of a harlot if you have the heart of harlot. Solomon went on to state that the harlot followed up her attire with other actions to seduce (verses 11-23). The dress was just part of the plan. This begs a question – can you dress like a harlot and not entice? You cannot.

Without question, people can have impure thoughts no matter how a person dresses. You can read about Amnon and Tamar (II Sam. 13). Tamar was not trying to entice Amnon, but that did not stop him from lusting after her. The presence of people like Amnon does not mean that immodest dress does not exist though. I will also interject that men are not justified in having unlawful thoughts no matter what they see (Matt. 5:27-28). This is where such passages as “flee youthful lusts” comes into play (II Tim. 2:22). There are times we must simply leave a situation and not dwell on it to avoid sinning.

Getting back to our original text about modest apparel, Paul did not tell Timothy to warn the sisters, “remember to avoid having evil intentions when you dress.” No, they were told how to dress. The word “modest” means well-ordered, decorum, seemly. He was not addressing the heart here. Does a Christian’s heart play a role in how they decide what to wear? Of course it does. If we do not care about what God thinks or what dress does to men, then there is a demonstrated heart problem.

The scriptures speak a lot about the dangers of causing a brother to sin (Matt. 18:6; Rom. 16:17; II Tim. 3:6, etc.). We all know that we cannot make someone sin, but we also know that those who even tempt others to sin will be held accountable. This is true with the way a person dresses.

To be frank, men are stimulated by sight. This tendency is what got David into trouble (II Sam. 11). This tendency also led to the beheading of John the Baptist. When Herod saw his step-daughter dance before him and others, he ended up making a promise to her that he regretted (Matt. 14:1-11). It is a mistake to think immodest dress is not connected with dancing as both are linked with the concept of lasciviousness or lewdness (Gal. 5:19; I Pet. 4:3).

Let’s go back to the Garden of Eden. After Adam and Eve covered themselves with fig leaves (Gen. 3:7), why did God clothe them (verse 21)? Because they were not sufficiently covered yet. Was nakedness wrong for Adam and Eve even if they had a pure heart? This might seem ridiculous to ask, but it is worth thinking about. Why would it be wrong to walk around without any clothes on? If the sin has to do with those who look rather than those who are unclothed, it should be possible to have no cloths on and still be righteous. Some people are perfectly comfortable in nudist colonies, but God still wants us to clothed (James 2:15). Also note that Jesus made the obvious point that nakedness should bring shame (Rev. 3:18).

When Christians (men and women) want to let their lights shine, they obviously must be mindful of the “toos.” We must ask themselves, “Is this too low to wear?”  “Is this too tight to wear?” Is this too high to wear?” Christians are called to strive to be modest, not sexy. Our sisters have a tremendous task of trying to buy modest clothing that is designed by worldly people who largely do not value modesty.

Brethren, be wary of creating double standards in your home. Are you comfortable with your sons wearing the same length of shorts as your daughters? If not, why not? We know how the world thinks. Whether talking about dress or any other worldly act, saints are considered strange if they follow God rather than man (I Pet. 4:4). Beware of the wiles of the devil and do not conform to the world (Rom. 12:1-2).

Chuck                                                                                       

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