Modesty in Appearance                    by Arlo Moehlenpah

Modesty starts on the inside and exhibits itself on the outside in appearance and actions. Paul exhorted Timothy “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 The attire of the most famous harlot in the Bible included being arrayed in costly clothing and being decked with gold, precious stones and pearls. 2 Peter wrote that the adornment of wives should not “be merely outward--arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel--  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. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands…” 3

Modesty in dress does not call attention to one’s body and is decent. Immodesty however is indecent. The word modesty is associated with shamefacedness which means shy or bashful. Jesus warned that "whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." 4  The modest woman does not expose her body in a way that would cause men to lust after her.

 The opposite of a modest woman is described in chapters 2 - 9 of Proverbs. This woman is called strange, 5 evil, 6 and foolish. 7 The strange woman forsook the covenant of her God. 8 She is not bashful but instead she is loud, rebellious, 9 and without shame. 10 She confuses love with lust. 11 She has the attire of a harlot and is subtil of heart. 12 Subtil is the same word which described the serpent that tempted Eve. 13 Notice that the way she adorns herself is related to the condition of her heart. She uses perfume to attract men 14 and she seduces them with her flattering lips. 15 She allures men with her eyelids 16 perhaps by winking or makeup.

The clothing of a harlot purposely draws attention to her body. Certain clothes and the way they fit give off messages. 17 The tight-fitting top, the tight-fitting bottom, the too-low neckline, shorts, a short skirt, long slits, sleeveless tops or the too-sheer garment say “look at my body.” On the other hand the clothes of the modestly dressed woman says "Look at my face."  Her clothes are worn in such a way that she wants her acquaintances to look her in the eye and see her for the lady that she is. 

Nothing in the way the modest woman dresses would give the impression of impudence or immodesty. Also, there must be a distinction between male and female. God made men and women to be different physically and to have different roles. Men are not to dress like women and women are not to dress like men. 18

Many people think that since God has not named specific articles of clothing that are right or wrong to wear, it does not matter what you wear and that God is not concerned with what a person wears. Though God has not named specific items of clothing, He has given principles that Christians are to apply. These principles determine right or wrong dress; not whether it stylish or popular. Fashions change but Biblical principles do not. Modest apparel, however, does not need to be drab, dull, dark or sloppy in appearance.

Unfortunately many have been desensitized to the shame of immodesty. This can occur in art classes where a nude model is said to be a work of art or at the beach or swimming pool where walking around half naked is supposed to be acceptable. King David saw Bathsheba washing, lusted after her, committed adultery with her, fathered a child, murdered her husband, and brought much misery upon himself and the nation. 19 Women professing godliness should not bathe in the presence of men, whether it be sunbathing or swimming. The love of money is the root of all evil 20 and the media, fashion designers and toy manufacturers know that the “sexy look” sells. They have broken down Christians' resistance with their subtilty. People will wear immodest clothes, even if they feel uncomfortable in them, simply to be "in style." They would rather please the world's crowd 21 than the Lord Jesus Christ.

If parents have lost sense of shame to some degree, children are likely to have even a lesser sense of shame. What may be modest between husband and wife can be immodest in front of the children or in public. People lose their sense of shame when they wear or see things repeatedly. They become calloused or "seared". It is important for parents to supervise what their children watch and do. Barbie dolls are certainly not a good role model.

Many are offended when they are confronted with the need to dress modestly. Immodesty in the face of biblical instruction demonstrates willful lack of subjection to God and one's father or husband. Persistent immodesty is evidence of rebellion. Immodesty can also ruin the witness of a Christian.

Certain qualifications must be made here. Not everyone who dresses improperly is immoral. Unfortunately many have never been taught Bible principles. Instead they follow the fashions of the world. The Holy Spirit can convict a person of immodest apparel and make a change in their appearance. Also, it is possible for a person to dress properly but have inward sins of hate, jealousy, greed, etc. While this article is mainly directed to women, men ought also to dress modestly. When the devil had control of the man of Gadara he wore no clothes 22 but when Jesus delivered him he was clothed and in his right mind. 23

Quiz on modesty in appearance

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 Quiz on modesty in appearance