Modesty? and Immodesty?
The summer heats blasts across the southern states and as with every year, clothing will become less and less of a 
wearable object. As the summer months continue, certain words will float through every congregation, yet no one is sure of what to think – the word…modesty!
In such a touchy topic, I wonder if there are some common sense thoughts which apply to each follower of Christ? I will readily admit, no where does the Bible give us a list of physical clothing which should cover our bodies. There are Old Testament guidelines given to the priests (Exodus 28). Personally, I am not sure if God would have given us a simple list of clothing if some would still not followed it. No matter what guidelines God provides, there are always some who wish to push the envelope.
There are a couple of interesting points to make at this point:
- It is interesting that modesty provide a double standard in our society. A lady can wear a mini-skirt while walking down the street and she will be called immodest, when 20 minutes later, she may go to the beach and where a bikini and not be consider immodest, but instead be considered to be “in style.”
- Certain people have never considered the area of clothing to be a problem.
- There are some cultural differences in terms of clothing; but remember, culture does not necessarily make something the right thing to do.
- This topic needs to be examined and studied more than it currently is; no matter what you believe at this point in time.
While God does not provide a list of “Thou Shalt Wear” and “Thou Shalt Not Wear,” I do believe He provides some guidelines for each person to consider themselves. I have posted some thoughts below to hopefully stir some discussion regarding the topic of “Modesty and Immodesty.”
Did God have a different standard than Adam and Eve?
Could there be a significance in the an “apron” of fig leaves that Adam and Eve made for themselves and the “coats of skin” God made afterward? There are two different words used in the Hebrew language:
- Apron (Genesis 3.7; KJV – the Hebrew word is “chagor” meaning a belt of girdle for the waist.
- Coats (Genesis 3.21; KJV) – the Hebrew word is “kethoneth” meaning a shirt, rode and garment, coming from the root word meaning “to cover.”
Is is possible that Adam and Eve created garments for themselves the were different that the garments God wanted? Remember, Adam and Eve had no knowledge of nakedness until after the fruit (Genesis 3.7). After they made aprons (KJV) or loinclothes (ESV) for themselves, God made them coats (KJV) or garments (ESV) and clothed them (Genesis 3.21; ESV).
Are there some parts of our body that need covered?
I believe Paul answers this question in 1 Corinthians 12.22-25:
“On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.” (English Standard Version; emphasis mine, CMG)
To Paul’s statements to the Corinthians, I would ask:
- What are the unpresentable parts of our bodies and why to they require greater modesty? I find 1 Corinthians 12.23 very interesting in the Contemporary English Version: “We take special care to dress up some parts of our bodies. We are modest about our personal parts…” Did you notice that, “We are modest about our personal parts.” The CEV seems to make that verse a little clearer to the unpresentable parts.
If there were specific physical clothes to be worn by priests under the Old Covenant, are there considerations Christians should make to the clothes they wear as “priests” under the New Covenant?
- “…you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2.5; ESV,emphasis mine, CMG)
So, what are your thoughts?
Just some thoughts for a Wednesday morning…
Chris
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Had never thought about the Adam and Eve aspect. Thanks for some interesting food for thought.
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
Chris,
Thanks for a very timely article. I appreciate the way you want us to THINK about what we are wearing.
I think you pointed out some good places where it seems that God does care about how we are dressed. Too many Christians would be too embarrassed to wear clothing that covers our entire body, all the time. The further we move from being entirely clothed, the more tempting we are to others, the more immodest in God’s eyes. I don’t know where the line is, where God would think, “that’s too immodest.” So do we play it safe? If we are really dressing to please God, we might have to stand up to that embarrassment and cover our whole body.
I wish modesty was something that was easier to define. I have been teaching our teen girls about modesty in the past couple of weeks, and when one girl stands up and says, “so are my shorts too short?” what am I supposed to say? LOL. I mean, not that I don’t wear shorts too, but if I were brave enough, I probably would realize that the best way to be modest is to always be covered up. The most helpful guideline for talking to the teens has been to have them imagine what a guy thinks when he sees us in what we’re wearing. Granted, most of us as teen girls are using that as a measuring stick, but not in the way God would want us to (myself included)! But at least intellectually, they understand that if they’re thinking, “yeah, he’s gonna think I’m hot,” they should change their clothes. It’s just hard to do the right thing sometimes, huh?
do you believe God is a woman?? gasp
“While God does not provide a list of “Thou Shalt Wear” and “Thou Shalt Not Wear,” I do believe her provides some guidelines for each person to consider themselves. “
wow, brain, thanks for adding to the discussion.
Tim – I am glad to give you a different point of view.
Scott – I am glad to get other to think more often. ha!
Lisa – Thanks for your questions and thoughts. I will repsond when I have some more time tonight.
Brian – Who let you in? I guess I do need to spell better, but after a day with elementary school kids, I guess one mistake is not that bad. I hoppe too du bettr nixt thyme.
Thanks for the encouragement from each one!
Good job on this topic. The Hebrew words in the Adam and Eve narrative is something I never picked up on before. Nor had I thought about bringing the 1 Corinthians passage into the discussion. Thanks for the thought provoking post.
I think there has to be a little difference in dress depending on where you’re going. If I’m at the mall and someone is dressed inappropriately I’m not as bothered by it as I am if it’s at church. When I worship my mind needs to be focused on God, not, “Why are her boobs hanging out?”
Can I say “boobs” on your blog? :)