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X. Immodest
Appearance And Indecent Dress
"What shall I wear?" is a question most people ask themselves nearly every morning as they prepare to go out into the world. Beyond style or fashion, the faithful Christian considers other more important issues:
1. Is it modest?
2. Is it decent?
3. Is it proper for those professing godliness?
Our challenge is to determine what constitutes modesty in a constantly changing society. For example, at one time, it was immodest for a woman to expose her ankles. Today, even the most modest dress would have been considered scandalous.
So the questions follow:
1. Should a Christian woman wear shorts, mini-skirts, low-cut blouses, tight skirts, or tight pants?
2. What about men? Should they be concerned about decency? Should they go about without their shirts?
3. What effect might decency have on certain activities, such as mixed swimming and other athletic sports?
As we ponder these questions, we will not propose some technical answer measurable with a ruler such as "no women's skirts higher than an inch above the knee." The Bible does not address the issue that way, so neither will we. Instead, we encourage prayerful consideration of what the Bible has to say, which provides basic principles and concepts that can help us discern between good and evil. God's word will be our standard on this. The world has an entirely different notion about what is right and proper for our attire.
At the outset, we need to establish that God does not have a double standard for men and women. What is decent and fitting for a man is also decent and fitting for a woman. However, we will find that most of the scriptures on this subject refer to decency for a woman. There is probably good reason for this. Men, by nature, are typically more visually stimulated than women. This is one reason p0rn0graphy is usually more ensnaring to men than to women. The inspired writers may well be concentrating on the instructions for women to help counteract this tendency.
Let's begin by simply noting what the Bible says about nakedness.
After they sinned, they made "coverings" for themselves:
Genesis 3:7-10
In the original Hebrew, the word "coverings" is from CHAGORAH, meaning a garment which covers the mid-section. This describes what most men typically wear at a public swimming pool. Note that, despite such coverings, they still felt naked!
The Lord made "tunics" for them:
Genesis 3:21
In the original Hebrew, the word "tunics" is from KETHONETH, a robe or coat-like garment commonly reaching from about the neck to the knees. Evidently, God was not satisfied with the brevity of the coverings they had made. Note how this word is used in the book of Exodus and its context:
Exodus 28:40-42
Genesis 9:22, 23
Leviticus 18:6-19, 20:17-21
Nahum 3:5
Revelation 3:18
Though the Bible speaks of nakedness occasionally to denote defenselessness or destitution, the context is almost always associated with shame. The larger references to nakedness in Old Testament scripture speak of bodily indecency and improper behavior. Nakedness is cast in a favorable light only in respect to that exposure in private between husband and wife (Genesis 2:25).
It is shameful to expose or draw attention to private parts of the body. Exposure of such parts was often a form of judgment intended to shame the wicked.
Isaiah 3:16-17; 47:1-3
Paul alludes to the fact that some parts are "unpresentable" and thus should be covered.
1 Corinthians 12:23-24
At some point, then, there needs to be a line where it is a shame to cross, there are parts of the body that should remain private.
Romans 13:13-14
Can the way we dress excite fleshly lusts? Consider the following:
· "An astonishingly great number of men are of the opinion that women are more attractive partly dressed than nude. They prefer to see women partially disrobed to the sight of complete nakedness." - Theodor Reik (Of Love And Lust).
· "Mini-clothes are symbolic of those girls who want to seduce a man..." - Mary Quant, London fashion designer and inventor of the miniskirt.
· When asked where it (miniskirts, etc.) was all leading, Mary Quant replied with one word: "Sex."
· During the hijacking of the Santa Maria in 1967, the women on board were concerned the rebels might have designs on them, so they left off wearing "enticing clothing"; i.e., they stopped appearing in shorts and halter-tops, and quit swimming in the ship's pool.
If the "women of the world" know what is capable of stimulating the lust of the flesh, why not the "daughters of God?"
Matthew 5:27-30
There is a two-fold responsibility here.
Philippians 4:8
Job 31:1
Proverbs 7:6-27
2 Samuel 11:2
Though lust is inexcusable on the man's part, if the woman by her apparel or conduct has encouraged it, she shares in the guilt! We should note that God's law likewise prohibits a woman from looking at a man to lust after him, and the man also should dress and behave in a way to not evoke temptation. If the clothing we wear encourages the arousal of fleshly lusts in others, then we have clearly crossed the line. Of course, this requires honesty and objectivity on our part; we must be willing to be true to ourselves and to God.
Some folks are of the opinion that being ill-clad around close
family members, such as among mothers, fathers, and older sons, daughters, brothers,
and sisters together, is not indecency. There
is no scriptural basis for this. Consider
what happens to Noah after the flood (Genesis 9:20-25). Being drunk with wine, he looses his sense of shame
and is naked in his tent. His youngest son,
Ham, makes sport of him, but his two older sons, Shem and Japheth, cover their father's
nakedness while discreetly looking away. Noah later proclaims a curse on Ham for his lack
of discretion.
Consider also the accounts in the Bible involving incest:
·
As among Lot with his daughters (Genesis 19:30-38),
·
With Amnon raping his sister Tamar (2 Samuel 13),
·
And the fornicators within the church at Corinth
(1 Corinthians 5).
Even among family members, the possibility of inciting lust is
the same. Mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters:
cover yourselves with proper attire when you are together. Be examples for good to one another.
Thus far we have examined what the Bible says about nakedness and lust. The proper attire of a Christian goes beyond merely the exposure of skin. Consider this reading from the American Standard Version:
1 Timothy 2:9, 10 In like manner, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefastness and sobriety; not with braided hair, and gold or pearls or costly raiment; but (which becometh women professing godliness) through good works.
In verse 9, let's examine more carefully the three words shown above in bold:
"Modest" [KOSMIO]
From whence the English word "cosmetic" is derived, this word is defined as follows:
· "Orderly, well arranged, decent, modest" (akin to kosmos, in its primary sense as "harmonious arrangement adornment"; cf. kosmikos, of the world, which is related to kosmos in its secondary sense as the world) - Vine's Expository Dictionary.
· "The well-ordering is not of dress and demeanor only, but of the inner life, uttering in deed and expressing itself in the outward conversation" – Trench.
· "Well-arranged, seemly, modest; of a man living with decorum" – J. H. Thayer.
This word applies not so much to scanty clothing but to inappropriate or gaudy clothing. This touches on clothing that is not suitable for the occasion as society or culture would expect; such clothing would attract undue attention. The modest Christian does not go to a funeral or worship services dressed like they are going to a picnic. Likewise, they do not dress at a picnic like they're going to a banquet.
"Shamefastness" [AIDOS]
Translated "shamefacedness" in the KJV, this word is defined as follows:
· "A sense of shame, modesty, is used regarding the demeanor of women in the church" – W. E. Vine's Expository Dictionary.
· "A sense of shame or honour, modesty, bashfulness, reverence, regard for others, respect" – J. H. Thayer.
· "AIDOS would always restrain a good man from an unworthy act" – Trench.
It suggests the ability to blush. This word applies more to the issue of scanty clothing; those who display their bodies so as to excite lust in others have not the quality of "shamefacedness." The faithful Christian takes into consideration the effect their apparel has on others.
It is a well-known fact that men like to look lustfully at women's legs; it's the subject of many popular songs. Young ladies, if you are wearing in public the typical women's swimsuit, there is no portion of your legs that you are not exposing to their view. As men look and lust (and they will!) you have enticed them to do so and are equally guilty of sin.
"Sobriety" [SOPHROSUNE]
Translated " discreetly" in the NAS, this word is defined as follows:
· "Denotes soundness of mind" – Vine.
· "It is that habitual inner self-government, with its constant rein on all the passions and desires, which would hinder the temptation to these from arising..." – Trench.
The NKJ translates this "moderation," which suggests that one does not go to extremes in any regards. Though this is not the best term for SOPHROSUNE, someone of a sound mind will certainly recognize the limits of good taste.
Go back to 1 Timothy 2 and look at verse 10. He is building on a point concerning the appearance that draws undue attention to one's self. An attitude that is full of self will dress in such a way that says, "Hey, look at me!" This includes:
· Girls with too much make-up. Make-up worn discreetly is not the first thing you notice when you see a face.
· Girls who work for hours on making their hair look right. How much comparative time is used in Bible study?
· Guys with muscle shirts or no shirt at all to show off their physique.
The apostle is not altogether condemning the wearing of jewelry or fixing the hair. Excess, rather than actual adornment, is what is being condemned here. Compare these passages:
Isaiah 3:16-26
Ezekiel 16:10-14
1 Timothy 2:10 is an example of elliptical speech found frequently in the Bible. It condemns one thing to the exclusion of another; it is "not only this but also that" terminology. Note these examples (words in brackets are added to convey the meaning):
John 6:27 …not labor [ONLY] for the food which perishes, but [ALSO] for the food which endures.
1 Corinthians 1:17 …did not send me to baptize [ONLY], but to preach the gospel [ALSO].
1 Timothy 2:10 …not [ONLY] with braided hair, and gold or pearls or costly raiment; but… [ALSO] through good works.
Outward adornment is not wrong absolutely, but in comparison to the adorning of the inner person by good works, it is to be of lower priority and lesser importance. That which is "proper for women professing godliness" is that which is fitting, seemly, suitable, and becoming. A woman professing to be godly would never knowingly adorn herself in a way that excites lust in another person or attracts undue attention to herself.
Ephesians 5:3
Titus 2:2-7
1 Peter 3:1-6
Regardless how unfair we may think it is, our appearance will affect our influence. If we appear in a well-arranged demeanor, others will be more likely to respect us when we try to teach them the gospel. If we appear disorderly, we will be prejudged by others as unworthy and disregarded. The apostle Paul would have never done anything to thus mislead others.
1 Corinthians 8:13
Romans 14:21
When a person disregards the effect their appearance may have on others, it cannot be said they are adorned with a gentle and quiet spirit.
From our study so far, we see that "modesty" and "decency" are quite different. "Modesty" pertains to attire which is suitable and proper for the occasion. That which is appropriate will vary depending on culture, traditions, or the situation itself. Social norms will determine what is appropriate, and it might change over time. For example, dressing a certain way at one time, for one setting, and in one country is not necessarily fitting for every other time, setting, or country, even though the attire might not be wrong in itself. In contrast, "decency" pertains to attire which would tempt others to lust. That which encourages lust will encourage lust no matter the circumstance, times, or place in which a person lives. A type of thinking called "situational ethics" was born in the 1960s which proposes that in certain circumstances divine moral principles can be set aside. The faithful Christian recognizes that God's standards never change.
God's word is clear about indecent clothing, though the Bible instruction is based on principle and concept. God leaves it up to us to make the proper application before we dress and go out of our house into public every day. The world has a different standard of decency, but many young Christians, instead of steering clear of worldliness, will try to get as close as possible to looking like people in the world.
1 Peter 2:11, 12
If Christians do not look different in dress from most anyone else in the world with no regard for godliness, they are obviously not behaving in a godly manner themselves.
Romans 12:1, 2
Let's examine some excuses young Christians sometimes give for dressing indecently.
We are not living in old times. God's law requires us to dress in two ways: (1) appropriately, as our current culture dictates and (2) decently, as to not induce lust. If our current culture suggests that ankle exposure is lewd, then the faithful Christian will not do it, regardless of whether it is really lewd or not. On the other hand, appearance that causes lust is the same regardless of culture.
They're not as open as they think, or they would not make such a big deal of their nude beaches and parks when Westerners come to visit. It is not that they are less "up-tight" but that they have lower moral standards.
Here is situation ethics again. The fact is, young ladies, you should hear how men talk to each other about what they see at the beach and swimming pools.
There's an interesting statement found in John 21:3-8. Here, men are at work in a fishing boat. They are out at sea some distance from shore. Being in a private setting, Peter was naked (KJV), that is, stripped for work (NAS). The original word here [GUNMOS] according to Thayer includes "ill clad, clad in undergarments only (the outer garments or cloak being laid aside)." That sounds like what most people wear at the public pools. However, notice that before Peter jumps into the water to swim to Jesus, he puts on his regular clothes so he will be decently covered when he reaches the shore.
Does God have as much concern for your comfort as He does your sin? Besides, you can be cool enough in decent apparel.
We have long ago established that what others do is not our standard. Besides, if dressing decently requires custom-made clothes, then that is what we will do.
Philippians 2:15
Before you dress, consider these guidelines based on biblical principles:
· Prayerfully consider whether your adornment in any circumstance reflects your profession of godliness and the principles found in God's word.
· Seek counsel from those who are mature in the faith, whose senses have been exercised to discern good and evil (Hebrews 5:14)
· Girls, if a part of your body is exposed for view that would make you uncomfortable for guys to touch, perhaps you should not be showing it to them.
· If it doesn't cover enough, if it is too sheer, or if it is skin-tight to show your form in detail, it is indecent.
1. What is the difference between "modesty" and "decency?"
2. Some men will lust after a woman no matter what she wears, so in this case, does it really matter what she wears?"
3. Is it wrong to care about looking good for others, either to be pleasing to the eye or to be attractive to the opposite sex? If not, can it become wrong? If so, how?
4. Are there certain circumstances, such as athletic activities, when God's standard of decency is altered?
5. List two or three different examples of ways in which clothing can be indecent.
6. List two or three different examples of ways in which clothing can be immodest.
Copyright 2009, Speaking Sound Doctrine