I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; likewise also that women should adorn themselves in

respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess

godliness—with good works.

(1 Timothy 2:8-10)

as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you

proclaim the Lord's death

until he comes.

(1 Cor. 11:26)

He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he

has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us

peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own

way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his

mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his

mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of

my people? And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no…

violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when

his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD

shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the

righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the

spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore

the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.

Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were

an offering far too small; love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.

Modesty: It’s Not Just Clothes

Modesty: It’s Not Just Clothing

• Modesty Matters! – Modesty matters because it is commanded by God (1 Tim 2:9-

10)• Modest Apparel… “Wearing respectable clothes.” Modesty… Sense of

shame or honor, modesty, bashfulness, reverence, regard for others, respect” – “…bashfulness toward men”

• Wears too much: Flamboyant, gaudy, over the top in expense and flair • Context points to the assembly – Distracts away from God and to oneself

through the way they adorn themselves• Heart – Materialistic, discontent, external… Not spiritually minded.• Revealing clothes are also wrong because they distract from Jesus to self.

Draws wrong kind of attention… sexual. Materialism, lust, sensuality, worldliness, selfishness, etc defines who are you.

“…But with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.” (1 Tim. 2:9-10)

Does my clothing reflect a person who is professing godliness with good works?

Modesty: It’s Not Just Clothing

• Modesty Matters! – Modesty matters because I have a responsibility to others… I

must not be a source of temptation (Matthew 18:6)• People see it as the other person’s problem. “I should have to change the

way I dress because you struggle with lust” or “No matter how I dress, someone will lust.” - It’s seen as unfair. Not my fault!

• This reasoning is flawed! When a person puts on clothing that is designed to draw that kind of attention, or at best, that shows off certain body parts that spark lust, they are at fault!

• We are responsible when our actions cause others to stumble. • I am not supposed to make any provision for my flesh to fulfill its lust…

When you dress immodestly, I have to choose to avoid you!

• Immodesty is incredibly selfish… It is acting with reckless abandonment!

Modesty: It’s Not Just Clothing

• Modesty Matters! – Modesty matters because it involves my righteousness,

godliness, and spirituality (Galatians 5:19-25)• When a person chooses to wear immodest clothing, they are conforming

to this world. It’s worldliness. It’s about acceptance by lost people

• What is your motivation when you pick out clothing? Is it really the fact that it looks nice or that it makes certain parts of your

body look nice? Does it make you feel sexy or pretty? Why does it appeal?

• Works of the flesh: Sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality • It takes self control to dress modestly. Am I walking by the Spirit?

Modesty: It’s Not Just Clothing

• Modesty Matters! – Modesty matters because it is a reflection of who I am on the

inside. My dress reveals my heart! (Matt 7:21-23; Prov 7:6-10)

And he said, "What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from

within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft,

murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

(Mark 7:21-23)

Modesty: It’s Not Just Clothing

• Modesty Matters! – Modesty matters because it is a reflection of who I am on the inside.

My dress reveals my heart! (Matt 7:21-23; Prov 7:6-10)• Some say, “It’s just clothes!” – A person might even insist that Jesus says

that externals don’t defile you. Jesus never excused externals!• Jesus specifies SENSUALITY – Choosing to dress immodestly isn’t just a

clothing problem, it’s a heart problem! I am defiled by sensuality. • A person whose heart is right will have little problem with the way they

dress. “Where is the line… How low/tight/short can it be?” or “What can I wear that I know God will be pleased with?”

• As Paul said, we can dress in a way that professes godliness with good works. What are you professing by the way you dress?

• Solomon saw a woman and knew exactly what she was by what she wore. Her clothing advertised something. What does yours advertise?

For at the window of my house I have looked out through my lattice, and I have seen among the simple, I have perceived among the youths, a young man lacking sense, passing along the street near her corner, taking the road to her house in

the twilight, in the evening, at the time of night and darkness. And behold, the

woman meets him, dressed as a prostitute, wily of heart.

(Prov. 7:6-10)

Modesty: It’s Not Just Clothing

• Modesty Principles: – What is immodesty? What standard should we be looking at?

No exact lines, but there are some hints in the Bible: • Obviously, nakedness is wrong (Rev 3:18) and shameful. But the

definition of nakedness according to God may be surprising. • Genesis 3:7-11, 21 – Adam & Eve’s coverings only covered the essentials.

God made them coverings which by definition covered from the shoulders to the knees. Until then, they were still naked.

• Isaiah 20:4 – Revealing the buttocks is considered nakedness• Isaiah 47:1-3- Revealing the thigh is considered nakedness • Nahum 3:5 – Lifting up the skirts is considered nakedness

Modesty: It’s Not Just Clothing

• Modesty Principles: – The absence of an exact line can be a difficulty, but it also gives a

chance to show our heart toward God, consideration of others, and honor of our body (1 Thess 4:4; 1 Pet 1:15-16)

– The necessity of modesty does not disappear because of the activities we are involved in (1 Peter 2:9-12)

• It is NEVER right to do wrong. Don’t compartmentalize God! • Many Christians dress modestly unless… It’s a wedding, the beach, a

vacation, a sporting event. - Public, mixed company… still wrong! • We must be willing to be different from the world. We must be willing

to accept being viewed as strange. We must be ready to face persecution. We must be ready to make sacrifices. Souls at stake!

Modesty: It’s Not Just Clothing

• Modesty Principles: – Parents: Be wise and courageous. Don’t just teach your children

with words, but insist on modesty in their lives (Prov. 22:6)• We are told to “train up” – This involves more than words… It means we

take ACTION in their life. We can’t give in when they test us! • Sometimes our children will not make great decisions! Sometimes they

will give in to peer pressure. We may have to say no! Yes, they’ve got to make it their own… What would you do with drugs?

• We don’t have to let them sow their wild oats and learn from their own mistakes. Especially when we SEE them doing what is wrong!

• Dad’s you have a special responsibility – It is special because God lays it on your shoulders (Eph. 6:1-4), but it is also special because you have a greater understanding of how guys think and act. Don’t bury your head in the sand. Step up… be a man!

Modesty: It’s Not Just Clothing

• Modesty Principles: – Some specific areas of concern for guys:

• Shorts – Shorts that are too short, shorts that are too lose when sitting• Going shirtless – Watch girls when a fit guy their age without a shirt on

comes by. They STOP and can’t take their eyes off him. Why?

• Pants – Tight pants create same issues on guys as they do on girls. They show off too much in the front and in the back. Girls

notice!• Shirts – Loose sleeveless shirts that reveal the body, tight shirts that

reveal the shape, shirts with inappropriate words & concepts

Modesty: It’s Not Just Clothing

• Modesty Principles: – Some specific areas of concern for girls:

• Shirts – Thin spaghetti straps, low cut, loose v neck (bending over), tight shirts, printed words that draw attention, inappropriate print

• Dresses & Skirts – High slits, short length, knit fabric that adheres and reveals, backless & strapless, spaghetti straps, low cut, loose v neck, etc. Note: When you sit down it rises, cross legs carefully

• Shorts & Pants – Not long enough to cover thigh area (esp. cheerleading style), tight shorts (esp. volley ball style), tight pants, low rise with shirt barely or not meeting, writing or handprints on rear end, etc. Note: Shorts will rise when you sit down!

• Bathing Suits – One piece and two piece bathing suits are IMMODEST! They reveal just as much as underwear does. The tightness exposes cracks, curves, and more too much. Its unnecessary!