overcoming worldliness: immodest dress

Overcoming Worldliness:Immodest Dress

What willWhat will

I wear?I wear?What willWhat will

I wear?I wear?

Philippians 2:14-16

Matthew 5:13-16

Romans 12:1-2

Philippians 2:14-16

Matthew 5:13-16

Romans 12:1-2

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Examine Yourself!

• If I learn that my clothing is immodest, will I change in order to be right in the sight of God?

• If I have a doubt about the modesty of my clothing, will I change in order to be modest beyond all doubt?

Ephesians 5:1, 8

Ephesians 5:1, 8

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Examine Yourself!

• If my clothing tempts others to sin, will I change in order not to cause them to stumble?

• If my clothing brings reproach upon Christ and his church and damages my influence, will I change?

Ephesians 5:1, 8

Ephesians 5:1, 8

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Clothing Reflects…

UngodlinessProv. 7:10

Gen. 38:14-15


Gen. 38:14-15

Godliness1 Tim. 2:9-10


• Internal modesty is reflected by what we wear, 1 Pet. 3:3-6

• The world admits clothing reflects attitudes

• Internal modesty is reflected by what we wear, 1 Pet. 3:3-6

• The world admits clothing reflects attitudes

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Every bra is not appropriate for summer show” By: Kelly DeGarmoFORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM (S.L. TRIBUNE, 22May92, A24)


It’s not a sin to show some skin. But before you dare to go bare this summer, get the latest on decent exposure.

Ten years ago, something as revealing as a lace bra worn under an open jacket would have been considered impossibly risqué.

Not any more.

It’s not a sin to show some skin. But before you dare to go bare this summer, get the latest on decent exposure.

Ten years ago, something as revealing as a lace bra worn under an open jacket would have been considered impossibly risqué.

Not any more.

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Thanks to Madonna, many of the lingerie looks now are showing up under suits as acceptable alternatives to silk shells. However, that doesn’t mean every bra is appropriate for show.

As with the season’s halter tops, short skirts, clingy knits and hot pants, there are basic ground rules for wearing skimpy clothing.

Thanks to Madonna, many of the lingerie looks now are showing up under suits as acceptable alternatives to silk shells. However, that doesn’t mean every bra is appropriate for show.

As with the season’s halter tops, short skirts, clingy knits and hot pants, there are basic ground rules for wearing skimpy clothing.

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Attitude is one key prerequisite.“You have to mentally get yourself

prepared to wear an outfit that shows some skin,” says Susan Huston, fashion consultant and director of Dillard’s Charm School. “If you feel self-conscious, you’ll be uncomfortable and that’s going to come through in the way you carry yourself.”

Attitude is one key prerequisite.“You have to mentally get yourself

prepared to wear an outfit that shows some skin,” says Susan Huston, fashion consultant and director of Dillard’s Charm School. “If you feel self-conscious, you’ll be uncomfortable and that’s going to come through in the way you carry yourself.”

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Not only should a woman feel confident to wear revealing clothes successfully, but she must also act like a lady. You’ve heard the cliché, “Actions speak louder than words.” It’s never been more true.

“If you’re not ladylike in your actions and you’re wearing a little sexy number, then you’re going to send off certain negative signals,” Huston warns.

Not only should a woman feel confident to wear revealing clothes successfully, but she must also act like a lady. You’ve heard the cliché, “Actions speak louder than words.” It’s never been more true.

“If you’re not ladylike in your actions and you’re wearing a little sexy number, then you’re going to send off certain negative signals,” Huston warns.

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Clothing Reflects…


Gen. 38:14-16


Gen. 38:14-16



• Internal modesty is reflected by what we wear, 1 Pet. 3:3-6– Overdressing (vain

extravagance) Isaiah 3:16-24– Underdressing (exposure) 1 Tim.

2:9

• Internal modesty is reflected by what we wear, 1 Pet. 3:3-6– Overdressing (vain

extravagance) Isaiah 3:16-24– Underdressing (exposure) 1 Tim.

2:9

10

First century immodestyFirst century immodesty

“…silk had caught Rome’s fancy. An edict of AD 14 forbade Roman men to wear it because “silk degrades a man.” Actually the women were causing more uproar than men, and it all had to do with Pliny’s reference to ‘transparent garments.’”

“…silk had caught Rome’s fancy. An edict of AD 14 forbade Roman men to wear it because “silk degrades a man.” Actually the women were causing more uproar than men, and it all had to do with Pliny’s reference to ‘transparent garments.’”

East to Cathay: The Silk RoadRobert Collins, McGraw Hill, 1968,

44-46

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“Silk in its natural state clung to the female form in a way that was infinitely more pleasing to the eye than Parthian banners. But Roman ladies did not stop at that. For one thing, there was not enough pure silk to go around at first.”

“Silk in its natural state clung to the female form in a way that was infinitely more pleasing to the eye than Parthian banners. But Roman ladies did not stop at that. For one thing, there was not enough pure silk to go around at first.”


44-46

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“And anyway, it was not sexy enough for those freewheeling days. So, they unraveled the close-woven Chinese fabric and rewove it into a flimsy gauze which left little to the imagination.”

“And anyway, it was not sexy enough for those freewheeling days. So, they unraveled the close-woven Chinese fabric and rewove it into a flimsy gauze which left little to the imagination.”


44-46

13


“For the average Roman girl-watcher those were golden years, but the moralists raised a fearful outcry. ‘I see clothes of silk, if clothes they can be called,’ wrote the philosopher Seneca (4 BC-AD 64), ‘affording neither protection to the body nor to the modesty of the wearer,

“For the average Roman girl-watcher those were golden years, but the moralists raised a fearful outcry. ‘I see clothes of silk, if clothes they can be called,’ wrote the philosopher Seneca (4 BC-AD 64), ‘affording neither protection to the body nor to the modesty of the wearer,East to Cathay: The Silk Road

Robert Collins, McGraw Hill, 1968, 44-46

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and which are purchased for enormous sums from unknown people.’ Pliny told of garments that ‘render women naked.’ Other writers waggishly referred to clothes ‘made of glass.’”

and which are purchased for enormous sums from unknown people.’ Pliny told of garments that ‘render women naked.’ Other writers waggishly referred to clothes ‘made of glass.’”


44-46

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Defining Modest Dress

• Modest: “Orderly, well-arranged, decent...” (Vine)

– “Respectable, honorable” 1 Tim. 3:2

– Used by 1st century writers to contrast with revealing clothes

• Modest: “Orderly, well-arranged, decent...” (Vine)

– “Respectable, honorable” 1 Tim. 3:2

– Used by 1st century writers to contrast with revealing clothes

1 Timothy 2:9

1 Timothy 2:9

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• Shamefastness: “A sense of shame, modesty” (Vine)

– “That modesty which is ‘fast’ rooted in the character” (Jer. 8:12)

– In Gk., the opposite of promiscuous

• Shamefastness: “A sense of shame, modesty” (Vine)

– “That modesty which is ‘fast’ rooted in the character” (Jer. 8:12)

– In Gk., the opposite of promiscuous

1 Timothy 2:9

1 Timothy 2:9

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• Sobriety: “Soundness of mind... sound judgment” – “It is that habitual inner self-

government, with its constant rein on all the passions and desires, which would hinder the temptation to these from arising...” (Vine)

• Sobriety: “Soundness of mind... sound judgment” – “It is that habitual inner self-

government, with its constant rein on all the passions and desires, which would hinder the temptation to these from arising...” (Vine)

1 Timothy 2:9

1 Timothy 2:9

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1 Timothy 2:9

1 Timothy 2:9

We must see immodest dress asWe must see immodest dress asshamefulshameful (not attractive), (not attractive),

as as indecentindecent (not cute)! (not cute)!

We must see immodest dress asWe must see immodest dress asshamefulshameful (not attractive), (not attractive),

as as indecentindecent (not cute)! (not cute)!

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• Meek: “Denotes gentle, mild, meek” – “It is that temper of spirit in which we

accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting.” (Vine)

– Humble heart that does not fight against God

• Meek: “Denotes gentle, mild, meek” – “It is that temper of spirit in which we

accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting.” (Vine)

– Humble heart that does not fight against God

1 Peter 3:3-41 Peter 3:3-4

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• Quiet: “Tranquility arising from within, causing no disturbance to others” (Vine)

• Quiet: “Tranquility arising from within, causing no disturbance to others” (Vine)

1 Peter 3:3-41 Peter 3:3-4

One’s adornment must comeOne’s adornment must comefrom a from a meekmeek and and quietquiet spiritspiritOne’s adornment must comeOne’s adornment must comefrom a from a meekmeek and and quietquiet spiritspirit

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Biblical Nakedness

• Lacking a full complement of clothing, John 21:7

• Adam and Eve were covered but not clothed, Gen. 3:7, 10, 21

• Nakedness is seen if the thigh is revealed, Exo. 28:42

• Uncovered thighs: “Nakedness” and “shame” Isa. 47:2-3– Symbol of shame, Isa. 20:2-4

• Lacking a full complement of clothing, John 21:7

• Adam and Eve were covered but not clothed, Gen. 3:7, 10, 21

• Nakedness is seen if the thigh is revealed, Exo. 28:42

• Uncovered thighs: “Nakedness” and “shame” Isa. 47:2-3– Symbol of shame, Isa. 20:2-4

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Immodest Clothing

•Lacking a full complement of clothing –Revealing and shameful (Isa. 47:2-3)

•Prideful display of extravagance by one’s clothing (Isa. 3:16-24)

•Lacking a full complement of clothing –Revealing and shameful (Isa. 47:2-3)

•Prideful display of extravagance by one’s clothing (Isa. 3:16-24)

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A Telling ContrastModest Dress

•Covers the shame of nakedness (Gen. 3:7, 10, 21)

•Well-arranged, reflecting godly traits (1 Tim. 2:9-10)•Reveals the spirit that God values (1 Pet. 3:3-4)

Modest Dress•Covers the shame of nakedness (Gen. 3:7, 10, 21)

•Well-arranged, reflecting godly traits (1 Tim. 2:9-10)•Reveals the spirit that God values (1 Pet. 3:3-4)

Immodest Dress•Exposes nakedness without shame

(Jer. 8:12; 1 Tim. 2:9)•Reflects a worldly heart bearing the works of the flesh•Reveals an impure and irreverent spirit

(1 Pet. 3:3-4)

Immodest Dress•Exposes nakedness without shame

(Jer. 8:12; 1 Tim. 2:9)•Reflects a worldly heart bearing the works of the flesh•Reveals an impure and irreverent spirit

(1 Pet. 3:3-4)

Applications…• Some clothing is always immodest:

– Revealing (see through, skin tight)– Lacking a full compliment of clothing

that exposes nakedness (including thigh)– Provocative, sensual and sexually alluring– Showy, ostentatious, extravagant

• Some clothing is always immodest:– Revealing (see through, skin tight)– Lacking a full compliment of clothing

that exposes nakedness (including thigh)– Provocative, sensual and sexually alluring– Showy, ostentatious, extravagant

Are you prepared to defend from the Bible Are you prepared to defend from the Bible clothing that “covers” but does not clothing that “covers” but does not

““clothe” your nakedness?clothe” your nakedness?1 Ths. 5:21-221 Ths. 5:21-22

Are you prepared to defend from the Bible Are you prepared to defend from the Bible clothing that “covers” but does not clothing that “covers” but does not

““clothe” your nakedness?clothe” your nakedness?1 Ths. 5:21-221 Ths. 5:21-22

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Applications are Possible

• Must be able to prove my clothing is authorized by God, Col. 3:17; 1 Ths. 5: 21; 1 Cor. 10:31

• Clothing must not provide an opportunity for another person to sin, Lk. 17:1-2

• Clothing must have a godly influence, Matt. 5:16; 1 Pet. 2:11-12, 15

• Clothing teaches others, 1 Pet. 3:1-6

• Must be able to prove my clothing is authorized by God, Col. 3:17; 1 Ths. 5: 21; 1 Cor. 10:31

• Clothing must not provide an opportunity for another person to sin, Lk. 17:1-2

• Clothing must have a godly influence, Matt. 5:16; 1 Pet. 2:11-12, 15

• Clothing teaches others, 1 Pet. 3:1-6

Compromising Excuses for Immodest Clothing

•“You can’t draw a line showing where modesty ends and immodesty begins.”

•Modest clothing never has to be defended – it speaks for itself!

•Not so with cheerleading uniforms, swimsuits, plunging necklines…

•“You can’t draw a line showing where modesty ends and immodesty begins.”

•Modest clothing never has to be defended – it speaks for itself!

•Not so with cheerleading uniforms, swimsuits, plunging necklines…

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Compromising Excuses for Immodest Clothing

• Hot weather• Everybody does it and nobody cares• Popularity (cheerleading, sports, etc.)• Fashionable• Nobody will notice me

• Hot weather• Everybody does it and nobody cares• Popularity (cheerleading, sports, etc.)• Fashionable• Nobody will notice me

Do everything we can to be Do everything we can to be modest!modest! 1 Pet. 2:9-10; 2 Cor. 1 Pet. 2:9-10; 2 Cor.

6:14-7:16:14-7:1

Do everything we can to be Do everything we can to be modest!modest! 1 Pet. 2:9-10; 2 Cor. 1 Pet. 2:9-10; 2 Cor.

6:14-7:16:14-7:1

overcoming worldliness: immodest dress

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