IN MODEST APPAREL
By John C. Carpenter
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ wrote unto Timothy, whom Paul described as my own
son in the faith (1 Timothy 1:1-2), I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks,
be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and
honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the
knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom
for all, to be testified in due time. Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;)
a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and
doubting. In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair,
or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works (1 Timothy 2:1-10). In verse
9, the word modest is translated from the Greek word kosmios, which means orderly, an orderly arrangement, decorous, of good behavior,
or appropriate. Paul's context here specifically refers to women, but the lesson is equally applicable to men. Paul teaches that men
and women who profess godliness and good works should wear modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety.
God the Father not
only has standards of behavior for those who love Him and believe in Jesus Christ, but He has appearance and dress standards as well.
If we are honest with ourselves, we know without a doubt that the Christian church has some serious issues - corruption, greed, arrogance
and the pride of life, worldliness, the lust of the flesh, power issues, over-emphasis on education and intellectualism, lust of the
eyes, laziness, widespread ignorance of the holy scriptures, disobedience to the desires and commands of God and His Holy Spirit,
and doctrinal ignorance and errors, among many more. There is one issue, however, which many might descibe as less serious, although
an issue still important to our heavenly Father – that is, how we Christians dress, or more to the point, how God wants the Christian
to dress. For the believer, inappropriate and ungodly dress in public is bad enough, but those who dress in an ungodly way while assembling
with other believers is even worse. Christian men and women alike should strive not only to know our heavenly Father's dress standards,
but be obedient to them.
COATS OF SKINS, AND CLOTHED
In the beginning, God the Father definitely had dress standards, and
made those standards well known: Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed [Hebrew, labash,
to wrap around, put on a garment or clothe oneself, to array, or put on, wear] them (Genesis 3:21). God's will was that the bodies
of men and women be covered. Writing the twelve tribes, James teaches us that the believer in Christ should not show partiality against
the clothing of the poor, nor show partiality in favor or those who wear expensive or magnificent clothing. The clothing that others
wear should not bias us in any way. James wrote, My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with
respect [Greek, prosopolepsia, to show partiality or favoritism] of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold
ring, in goodly [Greek, lampros, radiant, magnificent, gorgeous, or sumptuous] apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile [Greek,rhuparos, dirty, cheap, shabby, or reflects moral wickedness] raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and
say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then
partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? (James 2:1-4). Clearly, the clothing of others should not determine
our behavior towards them.
From the biblical viewpoint, women [and men] are to have understanding and use good biblical judgment
regarding the clothing they wear. The author of proverbs tells us, as a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair [Hebrew, yapheh,
beautiful, comely, fairest, or pleasant] woman which is without discretion [Hebew, taham, taste, perception, intelligence, judgment,
or understanding]. The desire of the righteous [Hebrew, tsaddiyq, just, lawful, clean, or morally right] is only good [Hebrew, tob,
a good thing, beautiful, better, fine, kindly, loving, pleasant, precious, or sweet]: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath (Proverbs
11:22-23). Those who strive for righteousness are expected to behave, even in their dress, with what is good, morally beautiful, and
pleasant. Neither should the Christian's dress become a matter of show, pride, or arrogance. Speaking to His disciples and the multitude
of those around Him, Jesus said, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat [a place of power and authority]: All therefore
whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy
burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves, will not move them with one of their fingers.
But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad [Greek, platuno, to widen literally or figuratively, to enlarge]their phylacteries [slips of scripture], and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the
chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for
one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren (Matthew 23:1-8). Jesus was critical of the Jewish leaders who, in order
to be seen by men, arrogantly used their religious clothing to advertise their positions of power and authority.
There is even
some scriptural evidence that an excessive display of flesh, including complete nudity, may be associated with and influenced by demonic
influence. Jesus and His disciples came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. And when he was come
out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean [Greek, akathartos, impure, morally lewd, unclean,
or specifically demonic] spirit, Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: Because that
he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces:
neither could any man tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself
with stones (Mark 5:1-5). After Jesus delievered the man of his legion of many demons (Mark 5:8-9), we read that they come to Jesus,
and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid(Mark 5:15). The implication is that while the man was possessed, he was naked, but after being delivered from the demonic spirits
afflicting him, he was then described as clothed.
THE ORNAMENT OF A MEEK AND QUIET SPIRIT
The apostle Peter give us instruction
about how believing wives and husbands should dress. He taught, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey
not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste [Greek, hagnos,
clean, innocent, modest, pure, or perfect] conversation [Greek, anastrophe, behavior, or life] coupled with fear [Greek, phobos, to
be put in fear, to alarm or fright, or terror]. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing
of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament
of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also,
who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands (1 Peter 3:1-5). Wives are to live and behave
in ways that are clean, modest, and pure, combined with fear of displeasing their husband or God, or both; neither should they emphasize
their outward adorning involving their hair, jewelry, or clothing. Wives should emphasize the hidden aspects of innocence and modesty
within their own heart, as well as those things which are not corruptible, expecially the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit. As
Peter reminds us, wives should adorn themselves as the holy women of the past who trusted in God, and adorned themselves while being
in subjection unto their own husbands. Where husbands are concerned, Peter taught, Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according
to knowledge of what is appropriate and desired by God, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs
together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered (1 Peter 3:7). Husbands are to dwell with their wives with proper
and Godly understanding, giving honor to his wife since they are joint heirs together of the grace of life which God has given them.
KEEP
THEE FROM THE STRANGE WOMAN
There are those who tempt others, including using their dress, and there are what Solomon refers
to as the simple who are tempted and become entangled. Look at this worthy story offered by king Solomon: My son, keep my words, and
lay up my commandments with thee. Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. Bind them upon thy fingers,
write them upon the table of thine heart. Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman: That they maykeep thee from the strange [Hebrew, zur, to be a foreigner, have a relationship with a profane person, to commit adultery, have sexual
relations with another man, or interract with strange thing] woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words. For at the
window of my house I looked through my casement, And beheld among the simple [Hebrew, pethiy, silly, seducible, foolish, a naive or
gullible one] ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void [Hebrew, chaser, lacking, without, destitute, or failing in] of
understanding, Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house, In the twilight, in the evening, in the
black and dark night: And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot [dessed for whoredom], and subtil [Hebrew, natsar,
guarded, protected, concealed, or hidden motives] of heart. (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house: Now is she
without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.) So she caught [Hebrew, chazaq, to fasten upon, to seize, to restrain,
withstand, or to conquer] him, and kissed him, and with an impudent [Hebrew, azaz, stout, hardened, prevailing, or strong] face said
unto him, I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows. Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy
face, and I have found thee. I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt. I haveperfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace [leap for joy,
or to exult] ourselves with loves [pleasurable affections]. For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey: He hath taken
a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed. With her much fair [Hebrew, leqach, providing enticing instruction]speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him. He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to
the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks [fetter, bindings, or anklets]; Till a dart strike through his liver;
as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life. Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend
to the words of my mouth. Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths (Proverbs 7:1-25). Notice this temptress
harlot was widely known as an adulteress, she conducted her seduction in the dark, she was guarded and cunning of heart, she was loud
and stubborn, she opportunistically flaunted her wares and motivations on every corner of the city, she enticed him with a kiss, her
face was hardened and determined to subdue him, she had decked her bed with fine tapestry and linen, she perfumed her bed with spices,
she verbalized her desires to him, she reminded him that they were alone, and with flattering words, she forced him. She was cunning
and sophisticated in her approach, and because he was naive, gullible, needy, and simple, she lured him and overcame him. Additionally,
we must also recognize, in verse 10, that an important part of her seduction was her dress or attire - she was dressed in a becoming,
seductive, and enticing fashion. Honestly, she was dressed as a harlot or prostitute, as sadly some are in the Christian church today.
There
is another serious issue that inappropriate dress can cause. Both women and men who dress in an ungodly fashion may, without even
knowing what they are doing, be tempting their significant other or those around them to commit adultery. Jesus plainly teaches us,Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on
a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart (Matthew 5:27-28). For the man or woman, dressing
in an ungodly manner which causes others to commit adultery in their own heart is a serious offense to God. The liberalism of today's
world, especially in America, poses another major problem. In fact, it is so serious a sin that God the Father describes it as an
abomination – something disgusting and abhorrent. Moses wrote, The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither
shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination [Hebrew, toebah, morally disgusting, something abhorrent,
and a form of idolatry] unto the LORD thy God (Deuteronomy 22:5).
PRESENT YOUR BODIES A LIVING SACRIFICE, HOLY, ACCEPTABLE UNTO
GOD
For many in these modern times, expecially for unbelievers, temptation and sin is not a serious consideration. Even within
Christian circles, without even an awareness of their behavior, many have become provocative, tempting, and ungodly in their behavior
and dress. Many Christians are not even aware of what they are doing and the sin they are committing, but God the Father is. Much
of this sin is due to ignorance of the scriptures. As Jesus plainly taught, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of
God (Matthew 22:29).
For the believer in Christ who wishes to please God in their dress, what are some general biblical guidelines
God gives us in the scriptures on how we as believers should dress? First, Paul exhorts us, ...brethren, by the mercies of God, that
ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service [Greek, latreia, ministration,
evidence of worship, or to render religious homage to God]. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing
of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Romans 12:1-2). Paul adds, later, Love
worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time
to awake out of sleep [Greek, hupnos, subsilience, or spiritual torpor]: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The
night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness [Greek, skotos, shadiness, obscurity, hidden,
or literal or figurative obscurity], and let us put on the armour of light [Greek, phos, to shine, make manifest, to be luminous,
or light from fire]. Let us walk [Greek, peripateo, to tread around, walk at large, live, deport oneself, or be occupied with] honestly [decently,
decorous, or noble], as in the day; not in rioting [carousing, letting loose, or revelling] and drunkenness, not in chambering [cohabitation] and
wantonness [licentiousness with vices, filthy, lasciviousness, or wantoness], not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus
Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof (Romans 13:11-14). In all things, including dress, the believer
in Christ should arise out of spiritual ignorance, discontinue his or her shady and hidden behavior, live nobly, honorably, and decorously,
not with carousing, neither wildness, nor fulfilling the lust of the flesh.
Jesus chastened the Jewish pharisees for their superficiality
and hypocrisy with these words: Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed
appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous
unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity (Matthew 23:27-8). This chastening could also easily apply to the owtward
dress of some in the Christian church - hypocritical and superficial. Scriptures clearly instruct the believer, Let not then your
good be evil spoken of: For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Forhe that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make
for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another [including how we dress] (Romans 14:16-19).
DO ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD
In
his first letter to the church in Corinth, Paul warned, What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two,
saith he, shall be one flesh. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without
the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy
Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your
body, and in your spirit, which are God's (1 Corinthians 6:16-20). Paul summarizes, Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever
ye do, do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). The body of the believer in Christ is the temple which houses the Holy Spirit,
and is holy unto the Lord. The body of the believer is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and even where our dress is concerned, the believer
in Christ is warned to flee fornication against his or her own body. The believer is to glorify God the Father in both our body and
spirit, which are God's. The believer must be cautious in what we wear, and strive to do everything to the glory of God.
Each
and every believer in Christ should also examine his or her own heart about how God the Father and the Holy Spirit would have us dress,
including prayer as well as searching the scriptures. This becomes clear because Jesus asked His own disciples, Are ye so without
understanding also [as to what is in your heart]? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it
cannot defile him; Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?
And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts,
adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness [and
inappropriate dress] (Mark 7:18-22). What is in our heart is essential, even concerning our dress, for the Lord seeth not as man seeth;
for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).
PUT ON THE NEW MAN
Dressing
provocatively in church assembly or out in the public reflects a desire to be attractive, to lure, and even to tempt, and is nothing
other than worldly lust of the flesh (1 John 2:16). God the Father, through the apostle Paul, gives much instruction about how to
deal with the lusts of the flesh. Paul wrote members of the church in Rome, put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision
for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts therof (Romans 13:14), and to church members in Galatia, they that are Christ's have crucified
the flesh with the affections and lusts (Galatians 5:24). Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, wrote the strangers scattered throughout
Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise
with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time
in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God (1 Peter 4:1-2). Regarding all things, including our dress, men and women
believers are to strive for holiness, and in the holy scriptures, God the Father provides us with a great definition of the virtuous
woman. The question is asked, Who can find a virtuous woman [or man]? for her price is far above rubies (Proverbs 31:10), and the
question is answered, Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come (Proverbs 31:25). Again, Paul exhorted
the church in Rome, yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness (Romans 6:19), and to the church in Corinth, let us
cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (2 Corinthians 7:1). In priortizing
what is pleasing to God, believers should put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians
4:24).
BE SOBER, BE VIGILANT
Remembering the temptations that come constantly from our old enemy, the devil, we should,
as Peter advised, Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care
upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom
he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in
the world (1 Peter 5:6-9). Paul enlightened and advised the Thessalonian believers in Christ, and us, For this is the will of God,
even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in
sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence [Greek, epithumia, a longing expecially for what is forbidden, desire,
or to lust after], even as the Gentiles which know not God (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5). Paul later added, Abstain from all appearance
of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto
the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:22-23). Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God and the Father by him (Colossians 3:17). Let all things be done decently [Greek, euschemonos, decorously, honestly
without deceit, noble, comely, or honorable] and in order [Greek, taxis, regular arrangement, fixed succession of rank or character,
that which is ordained, or done with dignity] (1 Corinthians 14:40). Believers are taught that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,
we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world (Titus 2:12), and keep himself unspotted from the world (James
1:27), understanding that the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the
truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18).
TAKE NO THOUGHT FOR YOUR LIFE
Neither should the believer in Christ be anxious or
troubled about having our physical needs met, including the clothing we arre to wear. Jesus taught His disciples, and the multitudes
around Him, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body,
what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither
do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking
thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow;
they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe
you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we
be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 6:25-33). Christ
exhorts us to seek His kingdom first, and trust that God will meet our clothing needs.
SET YOUR AFFECTION ON THINGS ABOVE, NOT
ON THINGS ON THE EARTH
Paul advised the church in Corinth that they should be more concerned with their heavenly body than their
earthly body. Paul wrote, For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle [earthly, physical body] were dissolved, we have
a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon
with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do
groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life (2 Corinthians
5:1-4). Indeed, If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God (Colossians
3:1-3). Paul concluded, In like manner also, that women [and men] adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety. AMEN.
THE CHRISTIAN HERALD
A
Judeo-Christian Bible Study
“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves
therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands,
ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning,
and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall
lift you up”
(James 4:7-10).
“For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of
the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your
conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the mediator [Greek, mesites, a go between, an internunciator,
reconciler, intercessor] of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the
first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must also
of necessity
be the death
of the testator”
(Hebrews 9:13-16).
“If the world hate
you, ye know that
it hated me before it hated you. If ye
were of the world, the world would love his own: but
because
ye are not of the
world, but I have chosen you out
of the world,
therefore the world hateth you”
(John 15:18-19).