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Dress Properly

March 8, 2011 by Guest Author 8 Comments

“I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;  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, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works” (1 Timothy 2:8-10).

“Do not let your adornment 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,  as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror”  (1 Peter 3:3-6).

There seems to be no concern for modest apparel in today’s world.   However, even sadder is the lack of concern for modesty among members of the church!  Do commands from God not apply to women today?   Certainly they are for women today!   God’s commands do not change to fit worldly standards!  There is no variation or shadow of turning with God the Father (see James 1:17).   Christians must realize that all commandments in the New Testament are to be obeyed today!

Many women argue that modesty is decided by each individual.  Yet even the dictionary defines modest as “observing the proprieties of dress and behavior; decent.”  God has given us the ability to think and reason; thus we are able to discern what is decent according to standards set by God.  The Bible gives us all we need to know in order to understand decency in appearance and in behavior.  Note the aspect of behavior needs to be modest, as well as one’s appearance.

Other women use the excuse:   “That’s the only clothing being sold today and everyone is wearing it, so it must be considered proper now.”   Do you really think that excuse will stand before God?     Look at what Jesus said in Luke 16:15,    “And He said to them,   You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts.  For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” Are you willing to become an abomination to God in order to be highly esteemed by the world?

Women may say they are not able to find modest clothing in stores.  Yes, some stores no longer sell much decent clothing.  It may take looking a bit longer, but it ispossible to find  decent clothing.  Some express the idea that modest clothing is “too expensive.”  However, I have found just the opposite;  modest clothing is not as expensive as the “latest styles of immodesty.”

Older women often are deceived by the idea, “No one looks at older women, so it really doesn’t matter what we wear.  Just go for comfort.”  There is NO truth to that idea.  All women, regardless of age, are noticed by others.  But more important, ALL are noticed by God, and ALL are accountable to God.

Basically, attitude controls what appearance and what behavior we display.  InProverbs 27:19, we read, “As in water face reflects face, So a man’s heart reveals the man.” Also note Proverbs 11:20, “Those who are of a perverse heart are an abomination to the LORD, But the blameless in their ways are His delight.”

Women desiring to truly please God are willing to be more careful about what is or is not “on display” with each item of clothing worn.   Here’s a helpful hint:  stand before a mirror, full length if possible, and look at top, bottom, sides, and all points between.  Turn, twist, bend over, raise and lower your arms, eyeing yourself from all angles.  You may realize you are displaying more than you thought!   Sit in a chair in front of the mirror, crossing and uncrossing your legs and note what is seen.  Observe carefully every item of clothing you put on.   Remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:28, “But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” We can cause men, and boys also, to have feelings of lust because of immodest clothing which exposes too much flesh.

Ladies, even a tiny bit of cleavage does not fit the description of modest apparel.  Any display of the thighs is not a description of modesty.   Many Christian women are displaying too much flesh.  Others, while not dressing immodestly themselves, are calling the display of flesh “cute” on others!  No, it is not “cute” in God’s sight, and neither should it be in ours.  We also are guilty when we approve of those who practice sin (see Romans 1:32).  Yes, immodesty is a sin, and we need to realize it is sin!

A woman with the right attitude will be glad when a Christian sister draws her aside and lovingly talks with her about an article of clothing being immodest.  A wife with the right attitude will thank her husband for wanting her to dress modestly before others.  Because of the right attitude, she realizes certain parts of her body belong only to her husband and she will not desire to expose these parts to others.  A Christian woman with the right attitude will not buy immodest clothing for herselfor for her children, and she will teach her children to dress modestly.  She will teach, both by example and with words, explaining it is sin to dress immodestly.

If we truly desire to glorify God, we will gladly dress modestly, instead of trying to justify immodesty!   If we truly desire to glorify God, we will teach others to dress modestly also!

Are you glorifying God or glorifying the world?

By Dena Ivie
Dena and her husband, Charles serve with the church in Tatum, NM. Charles is the pulpit minister for the congregation of about 20 members from the local area. There are more articles by Dena on the ladies’ page of their website athttp://tcoc.atspace.org/ladies.html


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Filed Under: Christian Living Tagged With: culture, Dena Ivie, modesty

About Guest Author

« Why I’m Participating in No Makeup March
A Gentle and Quiet Spirit »

Comments

  1. margot says

    March 8, 2011 at 9:58 am

    Just one of the many ways we need to tighten up and quit using societal norm as our standard.

    One of my tells to know if a piece of clothing will work or not……if I am constantly fidgeting, pulling it down, up, sideways, whatever, that’s a problem. Short skirts that our young ladies are constantly having to make sure are covering them, lightbulb, it’s too short maybe it shouldn’t be worn. The jeans that expose a little cheek (plumber’s butt) when you bend over, come on, really? If every time you bend over flesh is exposed, maybe it’s time to rethink those items of clothing. I could go on and on…..it’s very frustrating to have teenage boys and see the young ladies they are exposed to every day letting it all hang out for them to see. I wonder what their parents are thinking allowing them to dress in such a way. I tend to put more emphasis on their fathers, knowing how men think, being young men themselves, how could they possibly allow their daughters to flaunt their bodies in such a way?

    Reply
    • Dena Ivie says

      March 8, 2011 at 11:14 am

      Thanks for your additional thoughts! My husband, and I also agree that fathers need to stand up for God’s principles and say NO to their wives, daughters, and sons also concerning their immodest clothing. Society, clothing fads, and the devil have dictated way too much and too long!

      Reply
  2. Jennifer Jensen says

    March 8, 2011 at 11:48 am

    Thank you for the practical suggestions – very helpful!

    Reply
    • Dena Ivie says

      March 9, 2011 at 10:40 pm

      Thanks, Jennifer. God’s word is full of practical helps and commands, isn’t it!

      Reply
  3. Susan Follis says

    March 8, 2011 at 1:24 pm

    Excellent thoughts on a very important topic! The world is lost in sinful clothing and actions, but sadly the church is full of immodestly dressed women and young girls. Almost every worship service holds some woman or women who are displaying parts of their bodies that no one should be viewing. The woman should know better and the men should be speaking up. I am so thankful for those women and men who are trying to teach others, but those who need to be taught are always offended. Please do not give up teaching this very important topic. Thank you for your words!!

    Reply
    • Dena Ivie says

      March 9, 2011 at 10:51 pm

      Susan, thanks for your words of encouragement. Sadly, there are some Christian women through the past several years who have complained about teaching I have done on modesty. Some say we just “interpret things differently!” But I have not ceased to teach on this, and have tried to teach with love. You and others who are concerned with modesty are a blessing to me! Thank you.

      Reply
  4. Dena Ivie says

    March 9, 2011 at 10:52 pm

    Thanks, Susan, for your words of encouragement. Sadly there are some Christian women through the past several years who have complained about my teaching on modesty. They feel we just “interpret things differently!” But I continue to teach on this Biblical issue, and try to teach with love. You and others who are truly concerned about modesty are such a blessing to me. Thank you!

    Reply
  5. Dena Ivie says

    March 9, 2011 at 10:54 pm

    Sorry, for the double reply. I thought the first one did not get posted. They both said the same things, just worded a bit differently! I’m not really that confused!!!!

    Reply

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Welcome to Come Fill Your Cup!

CFYC About Image Welcome! We are so glad you stopped by. Come Fill Your Cup is a group of Christian ladies dedicated to equipping women for study and service. We know you are busy and that life’s hectic pace pulls you in so many directions, but you can’t truly be the woman God desires unless you take time to fill your own cup…not with spa days (though we love a good spa!) or the latest novel…but with God’s Holy Word. We want to help you with that! Our goal is to reach you in the midst of your busy day and give you encouragement, education, and fellowship as you strive to live the life God has laid before you. Our prayer is that we can help fill your cup so that you, in turn, can overflow to all those around you. So, as we like to say…come fill your cup, and let it overflow!

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