Immodesty

1
Immodesty

• I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere,
  lifting up holy hands, without
  
  wrath and doubting 9 in like manner also,
  that the women adorn themselves in modest
  apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with
  braided hair or gold or pearls or costly
  clothing, 10 but, which is proper for women
  professing godliness, with good works. (1
  Tim. 28-10)

2
ImmodestyShould Culture Determine Modesty?

• In some cultures, and at
  certain times, almost any
  show of skin is considered immoral
• Sultaana Freeman of Winter Park, Florida (2002)
  wanted to be photographed for her drivers
  license while wearing a veil because, she said,
  her religion dictates modesty in public.
• In certain fundamentalist Islam societies women
  must be completely covered
• Washington Irvings quote from The Legend of
  Sleepy Hollow

3
A Little of a CoquetteLegend of Sleepy Hollow,
Washington Irving

• "She was withal a little of a coquette, as might
  be perceived even in her dress, which was a
  mixture of ancient and modern fashions, as most
  suited to set off her charms. She wore the
  ornaments of pure yellow gold, which her
  great-great-grandmother had brought over from
  Saardam the tempting stomacher of the olden
  time and withal a provokingly short petticoat,
  to display the prettiest foot and ankle in the
  country around.
• (Coquette A usually unscrupulous women who
  seduces or exploits men)

4
ImmodestyShould Culture Determine Modesty?

• In our culture, almost anything goes!
• When French designer Louis Reard introduced the
  bikini in 1946, Parisian models would not model
  it. He hired a nude dancer to unveil the
  swimsuit.
• Today, little is frowned upon in society. Thong
  bathing suits, Daisy Duke shorts, Micro-mini
  skirts, are championed on television and in
  movies, and are seen everywhere.
• We dont wear them that short Why not, if it
  is accepted by society?

5
ImmodestyThe Bible is the Standard we must
follow!

• God is Immutable
• Regardless of what society allows, there is a
  point at which God has and always will draw a
  line
• Where I draw that line, and where you draw that
  line doesnt matter. What matters is where God
  draws it.
• It is obvious that the world has crossed the
  line.
• What about the Christian? He must depend upon
  God rather than man to determine whether he is
  modest in his behavior and dress.

6
Isaiah 520-21

• Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil
  Who put darkness for light, and light for
  darkness Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for
  bitter! 21 Woe to those who are wise in their
  own eyes, And prudent in their own sight!
• The claim, I dont see what is wrong with it
  will not help you in judgment if you disregard
  Gods directives in this or any other matter.

7
1 Timothy 29

• In like manner also, that the women adorn
  themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and
  moderation, not with braided hair or gold or
  pearls or costly clothing
• Terms to Define
• Modest, Propriety, Moderation

8
1 Peter 33-4

• Do not let your adornment be merely outward
  arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on
  fine apparel 4 rather let it be the hidden
  person of the heart, with the incorruptible
  beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is
  very precious in the sight of God.
• Terms to Define
• Gentle, Quiet

9
ImmodestyDefining Terms (1 Timothy 29)

• Modest (kosmios, koVmios)
• Orderly, well-arranged, decent (Vines)
• Respectable, honorable (Arndt Gingrich)
• Used by 1st century writers as a contrast to
  revealing clothes
• Propriety (Shamefacedness, KJV) (aidos, aidws)
• Lit. Downcast eyes Bashfulness, modesty
  (Strongs)
• That modesty which is fast rooted in the
  character (V)
• Word was used in Gk. For opposite of promiscuous

10
Jeremiah 812

• Were they ashamed when they had committed
  abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed,
  Nor did they know how to blush. Therefore they
  shall fall among those who fall In the time of
  their punishment They shall be cast down," says
  the LORD.
• The fact that one is not embarrassed to wear a
  particular outfit does not mean it is O.K. Some
  arent ashamed, But they
  should be!

11
ImmodestyDefining Terms (1 Timothy 29)

• Moderation (Sobriety, KJV)
  (sophrosune, swfrosunh)
• Soundness of mind Self-control (Strongs)
• 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. (Vines)
• Used in the sense of being free from worldly
  values and lusts. In effect we must see
  immodest dress as shameful, (not attractive) as
  indecent, (not cute)!

12
ImmodestyDefining Terms (1 Peter 33-4)

• Gentle (Meek, KJV)(praus, prauV)
• Denotes gentle, mild, meek (Vines)
• It is that temper of spirit in which we accept
  His dealings with us as good, and therefore
  without disputing or resisting. (ibid.)
• Quiet (hesuchios, hsucioV)
• Indicates tranquility arising from within,
  causing no disturbance to others. (Vines)
• Ones adornment is to come from a Gentle and
  Quiet spirit!

13
ImmodestyDefining An Opposite Term

• Lewdness (Lasciviousness, KJV)
  (aselgeia, aselgeia)
• Denotes excess, absence of restraint, indecency,
  wantonness (Vines)
• The prominent idea is shameless conduct (ibid.)
• Also translated as Licentiousness, Wantonness
• Contrast the term shamefacedness (downcast eyes,
  blushing, modesty) with Lewdness (shameless
  conduct), and consider the common dress of our
  day.

14
Galatians 519-21

• Now the works of the flesh are evident, which
  are adultery, fornication, uncleanness,
  lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred,
  contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath,
  selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21
  envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the
  like of which I tell you beforehand, just as I
  also told you in time past, that those who
  practice such things will not inherit the kingdom
  of God.

15
ImmodestyDefining Nakedness

• Naked (arowm, Hebrew)
• nude, either partially or totally (Strong)
• Naked (gumnos, gumnoV)
• nude (absol. or rel., lit. or fig.) (Strong)
• unclothed scantily clad or poorly clad clad in
  the undergarment only (the outer being laid
  aside) (Vines)
• Best defined by context and descriptions.
  (Genesis 3 Exodus 28 Isaiah 47)
• Note Definitions not implying binding O.T. God
  has not loosened what he considers sin (cf. Acts
  1730)

16
Genesis 37, 9-10

• (7), Then the eyes of both of them were opened,
  and they knew that they were naked and they
  sewed fig leaves together and made themselves
  coverings.
• (9-10), Then the LORD God called to Adam and
  said to him, Where are you? 10 So he said, I
  heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid
  because I was naked and I hid myself.

17
Genesis 321

• Also for Adam and his wife the LORD God made
  tunics of skin, and clothed them.
• Tunic (kethoneth, Hebrews) lit. to cover.
• a tunic, an inner garment next the skin also
  worn by women generally with sleeves, coming
  down to the knees, rarely to the ankles.
  (Genesius, pg. 420) (Note No distinction
  between men and women in this).

18
Exodus 2842

• And you shall make for them linen trousers to
  cover their nakedness they shall reach from the
  waist to the thighs.
• Note Well aware that this was ceremonial dress.
  However, note that the linen trousers had a
  practical purpose! To cover their nakedness as
  they ascended to the altar. The phrase is an
  inclusive Hebrew idiom, indicating a covering
  complete to the knee.

19
Isaiah 472-3

• Take the millstones and grind meal. Remove your
  veil, Take off the skirt, Uncover the thigh, Pass
  through the rivers. 3 Your nakedness shall be
  uncovered, Yes, your shame will be seen I will
  take vengeance, And I will not arbitrate with a
  man.
• Note Yes, figurative of Israel. But, the
  picture does not make sense if the definition of
  nakedness is not valid. An uncovering of the
  thigh.

20
ImmodestyWhat Body Parts incite lust?

• The Womans Body
• The Bosom (Including cleavage)
• The Midriff
• The Loins
• The Thigh
• Common sense indicates that outside of marriage,
  these should be covered!

• The Mans Body
• The Chest
• The Abdomen
• The Loins
• The Thigh
• Common sense indicates that outside of marriage,
  these should be covered!

21
Proverbs 5

• (1-2), My son, pay attention to my wisdom Lend
  your ear to my understanding, 2 That you may
  preserve discretion, And your lips may keep
  knowledge.
• (3-4), For the lips of an immoral woman drip
  honey, And her mouth is smoother than oil 4 But
  in the end she is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a
  two-edged sword.

22
Proverbs 5, cont.

• (16-20), Drink water from your own cistern, And
  running water from your own well. 16 Should your
  fountains be dispersed abroad, Streams of water
  in the streets? 17 Let them be only your own,
  And not for strangers with you. 18 Let your
  fountain be blessed, And rejoice with the wife of
  your youth. 19 As a loving deer and a graceful
  doe, Let her breasts satisfy you at all times
  And always be enraptured with her love. 20 For
  why should you, my son, be enraptured by an
  immoral woman, And be
  embraced in the arms of a
  seductress?

23
Hebrews 134

• Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed
  undefiled but fornicators and adulterers God
  will judge.

24
Is the Old Testament A Guide?

• It is a schoolmaster! (Galatians 324)
• Sarah appealed to as an example of Modest dress
  (1 Peter 35-6)
• Old Testament written before for our
  learning (Romans 154) Basic definitions and
  principles are eternal.
• Ex Marriage (Genesis 2 Matthew 19). Nakedness
  (Genesis 225 37-21)
• Principle of Sanctification (cf. 2 Cor. 617-18)

25
2 Corinthians 617-18

• Therefore Come out from among them And be
  separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is
  unclean, And I will receive you. 18 I will be a
  Father to you, And you shall be My sons and
  daughters, Says the LORD Almighty.

26
ImmodestyWhat Modest Dress Does

• Covers nakedness (Gen. 3)
• Reflects shamefacedness, sobriety,
  godliness good works (1 Tim. 29-10)
• Reflects purity, reverence a quiet
  spirit (1 Peter 33-4)
• Based on the Bible definitions, some dress is
  always indecent. Revealing (see thru,
  skin-tight) Insufficient (exposing thigh,
  midriff or chest) Provocative (sensual, sexually
  alluring) Showy (ostentatious or extravagant)

27
Conclusion

• Every Christian should be careful to dress
  modestly so as to reflect godliness, good works
  and a meek and quiet spirit.
• To achieve this, we must examine our hearts to
  develop and keep a basic sense of decency and
  shamefacedness. Dress Modestly!