Overcoming Worldliness: Immodest Dress What will I wear? What will I wear? Philippians 2:14-16 Matthew 5:13-16 Romans 12:1-2 Philippians 2:14-16 Matthew 5:13-16 Romans 12:1-2

2 Examine Yourself! If I learn that my clothing is immodest, will I change in order to be right in the sight of God? If I have a doubt about the modesty of my clothing, will I change in order to be modest beyond all doubt? Ephesians 5:1, 8

3 Examine Yourself! If my clothing tempts others to sin, will I change in order not to cause them to stumble? If my clothing brings reproach upon Christ and his church and damages my influence, will I change? Ephesians 5:1, 8

4 Clothing Reflects… Ungodliness Prov. 7:10 Gen. 38:14-15 Ungodliness Prov. 7:10 Gen. 38:14-15 Godliness 1 Tim. 2:9-10 Godliness 1 Tim. 2:9-10 Internal modesty is reflected by what we wear, 1 Pet. 3:3-6 The world admits clothing reflects attitudes Internal modesty is reflected by what we wear, 1 Pet. 3:3-6 The world admits clothing reflects attitudes

5 Every bra is not appropriate for summer show By: Kelly DeGarmo FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM (S.L. TRIBUNE, 22May92, A24) Its not a sin to show some skin. But before you dare to go bare this summer, get the latest on decent exposure. Ten years ago, something as revealing as a lace bra worn under an open jacket would have been considered impossibly risqué. Not any more. Its not a sin to show some skin. But before you dare to go bare this summer, get the latest on decent exposure. Ten years ago, something as revealing as a lace bra worn under an open jacket would have been considered impossibly risqué. Not any more.

6 Every bra is not appropriate for summer show By: Kelly DeGarmo FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM (S.L. TRIBUNE, 22May92, A24) Thanks to Madonna, many of the lingerie looks now are showing up under suits as acceptable alternatives to silk shells. However, that doesnt mean every bra is appropriate for show. As with the seasons halter tops, short skirts, clingy knits and hot pants, there are basic ground rules for wearing skimpy clothing. Thanks to Madonna, many of the lingerie looks now are showing up under suits as acceptable alternatives to silk shells. However, that doesnt mean every bra is appropriate for show. As with the seasons halter tops, short skirts, clingy knits and hot pants, there are basic ground rules for wearing skimpy clothing.

7 Every bra is not appropriate for summer show By: Kelly DeGarmo FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM (S.L. TRIBUNE, 22May92, A24) Attitude is one key prerequisite. You have to mentally get yourself prepared to wear an outfit that shows some skin, says Susan Huston, fashion consultant and director of Dillards Charm School. If you feel self-conscious, youll be uncomfortable and thats going to come through in the way you carry yourself. Attitude is one key prerequisite. You have to mentally get yourself prepared to wear an outfit that shows some skin, says Susan Huston, fashion consultant and director of Dillards Charm School. If you feel self-conscious, youll be uncomfortable and thats going to come through in the way you carry yourself.

8 Every bra is not appropriate for summer show By: Kelly DeGarmo FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM (S.L. TRIBUNE, 22May92, A24) Not only should a woman feel confident to wear revealing clothes successfully, but she must also act like a lady. Youve heard the cliché, Actions speak louder than words. Its never been more true. If youre not ladylike in your actions and youre wearing a little sexy number, then youre going to send off certain negative signals, Huston warns. Not only should a woman feel confident to wear revealing clothes successfully, but she must also act like a lady. Youve heard the cliché, Actions speak louder than words. Its never been more true. If youre not ladylike in your actions and youre wearing a little sexy number, then youre going to send off certain negative signals, Huston warns.

9 Clothing Reflects… Ungodliness Prov. 7:10 Gen. 38:14-16 Ungodliness Prov. 7:10 Gen. 38:14-16 Godliness 1 Tim. 2:9-10 Godliness 1 Tim. 2:9-10 Internal modesty is reflected by what we wear, 1 Pet. 3:3-6 –Overdressing (vain extravagance) Isaiah 3:16-24 –Underdressing (exposure) 1 Tim. 2:9 Internal modesty is reflected by what we wear, 1 Pet. 3:3-6 –Overdressing (vain extravagance) Isaiah 3:16-24 –Underdressing (exposure) 1 Tim. 2:9

10 First century immodesty …silk had caught Romes fancy. An edict of AD 14 forbade Roman men to wear it because silk degrades a man. Actually the women were causing more uproar than men, and it all had to do with Plinys reference to transparent garments. East to Cathay: The Silk Road Robert Collins, McGraw Hill, 1968, 44-46

11 First century immodesty Silk in its natural state clung to the female form in a way that was infinitely more pleasing to the eye than Parthian banners. But Roman ladies did not stop at that. For one thing, there was not enough pure silk to go around at first. East to Cathay: The Silk Road Robert Collins, McGraw Hill, 1968, 44-46

12 First century immodesty And anyway, it was not sexy enough for those freewheeling days. So, they unraveled the close-woven Chinese fabric and rewove it into a flimsy gauze which left little to the imagination. East to Cathay: The Silk Road Robert Collins, McGraw Hill, 1968, 44-46

13 First century immodesty For the average Roman girl-watcher those were golden years, but the moralists raised a fearful outcry. I see clothes of silk, if clothes they can be called, wrote the philosopher Seneca (4 BC - AD 64), affording neither protection to the body nor to the modesty of the wearer, East to Cathay: The Silk Road Robert Collins, McGraw Hill, 1968, 44-46

14 First century immodesty and which are purchased for enormous sums from unknown people. Pliny told of garments that render women naked. Other writers waggishly referred to clothes made of glass. East to Cathay: The Silk Road Robert Collins, McGraw Hill, 1968, 44-46

15 Defining Modest Dress Modest: Orderly, well-arranged, decent... (Vine) –Respectable, honorable 1 Tim. 3:2 –Used by 1st century writers to contrast with revealing clothes Modest: Orderly, well-arranged, decent... (Vine) –Respectable, honorable 1 Tim. 3:2 –Used by 1st century writers to contrast with revealing clothes 1 Timothy 2:9

16 Defining Modest Dress Shamefastness: A sense of shame, modesty (Vine) –That modesty which is fast rooted in the character (Jer. 8:12) –In Gk., the opposite of promiscuous Shamefastness: A sense of shame, modesty (Vine) –That modesty which is fast rooted in the character (Jer. 8:12) –In Gk., the opposite of promiscuous 1 Timothy 2:9

17 Defining Modest Dress Sobriety: Soundness of mind... sound judgment –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... (Vine) Sobriety: Soundness of mind... sound judgment –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... (Vine) 1 Timothy 2:9

18 Defining Modest Dress 1 Timothy 2:9 We must see immodest dress as shameful (not attractive), as indecent (not cute)! We must see immodest dress as shameful (not attractive), as indecent (not cute)!

19 Defining Modest Dress Meek: Denotes gentle, mild, meek –It is that temper of spirit in which we accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting. (Vine) –Humble heart that does not fight against God Meek: Denotes gentle, mild, meek –It is that temper of spirit in which we accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting. (Vine) –Humble heart that does not fight against God 1 Peter 3:3-4

20 Defining Modest Dress Quiet: Tranquility arising from within, causing no disturbance to others (Vine) 1 Peter 3:3-4 Ones adornment must come from a meek and quiet spirit Ones adornment must come from a meek and quiet spirit

21 Biblical Nakedness Lacking a full complement of clothing, John 21:7 Adam and Eve were covered but not clothed, Gen. 3:7, 10, 21 Nakedness is seen if the thigh is revealed, Exo. 28:42 Uncovered thighs: Nakedness and shame Isa. 47:2-3 –Symbol of shame, Isa. 20:2-4 Lacking a full complement of clothing, John 21:7 Adam and Eve were covered but not clothed, Gen. 3:7, 10, 21 Nakedness is seen if the thigh is revealed, Exo. 28:42 Uncovered thighs: Nakedness and shame Isa. 47:2-3 –Symbol of shame, Isa. 20:2-4

22 Immodest Clothing Lacking a full complement of clothing –Revealing and shameful (Isa. 47:2-3) Prideful display of extravagance by ones clothing (Isa. 3:16-24) Lacking a full complement of clothing –Revealing and shameful (Isa. 47:2-3) Prideful display of extravagance by ones clothing (Isa. 3:16-24)

23 A Telling Contrast Modest Dress Covers the shame of nakedness (Gen. 3:7, 10, 21) Well-arranged, reflecting godly traits (1 Tim. 2:9-10) Reveals the spirit that God values (1 Pet. 3:3-4) Modest Dress Covers the shame of nakedness (Gen. 3:7, 10, 21) Well-arranged, reflecting godly traits (1 Tim. 2:9-10) Reveals the spirit that God values (1 Pet. 3:3-4) Immodest Dress Exposes nakedness without shame (Jer. 8:12; 1 Tim. 2:9) Reflects a worldly heart bearing the works of the flesh Reveals an impure and irreverent spirit (1 Pet. 3:3-4) Immodest Dress Exposes nakedness without shame (Jer. 8:12; 1 Tim. 2:9) Reflects a worldly heart bearing the works of the flesh Reveals an impure and irreverent spirit (1 Pet. 3:3-4)

Applications… Some clothing is always immodest: –Revealing (see through, skin tight) –Lacking a full compliment of clothing that exposes nakedness (including thigh) –Provocative, sensual and sexually alluring –Showy, ostentatious, extravagant Some clothing is always immodest: –Revealing (see through, skin tight) –Lacking a full compliment of clothing that exposes nakedness (including thigh) –Provocative, sensual and sexually alluring –Showy, ostentatious, extravagant Are you prepared to defend from the Bible clothing that covers but does not clothe your nakedness? 1 Ths. 5:21-22 Are you prepared to defend from the Bible clothing that covers but does not clothe your nakedness? 1 Ths. 5:21-22

25 Applications are Possible Must be able to prove my clothing is authorized by God, Col. 3:17; 1 Ths. 5: 21; 1 Cor. 10:31 Clothing must not provide an opportunity for another person to sin, Lk. 17:1-2 Clothing must have a godly influence, Matt. 5:16; 1 Pet. 2:11-12, 15 Clothing teaches others, 1 Pet. 3:1-6 Must be able to prove my clothing is authorized by God, Col. 3:17; 1 Ths. 5: 21; 1 Cor. 10:31 Clothing must not provide an opportunity for another person to sin, Lk. 17:1-2 Clothing must have a godly influence, Matt. 5:16; 1 Pet. 2:11-12, 15 Clothing teaches others, 1 Pet. 3:1-6

Compromising Excuses for Immodest Clothing You cant draw a line showing where modesty ends and immodesty begins. Modest clothing never has to be defended – it speaks for itself! Not so with cheerleading uniforms, swimsuits, plunging necklines… You cant draw a line showing where modesty ends and immodesty begins. Modest clothing never has to be defended – it speaks for itself! Not so with cheerleading uniforms, swimsuits, plunging necklines…

27 Compromising Excuses for Immodest Clothing Hot weather Everybody does it and nobody cares Popularity (cheerleading, sports, etc.) Fashionable Nobody will notice me Hot weather Everybody does it and nobody cares Popularity (cheerleading, sports, etc.) Fashionable Nobody will notice me Do everything we can to be modest! 1 Pet. 2:9-10; 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1