Holiness

Lesson 12

Practical Holiness
Christian Adornment, Part 1
by Rodney Shaw

The Principles
A. The Bible provides principles for how we are to dress. 1. Modesty 2. Moderation in style and cost 3. Avoid ornamentation 4. Maintain gender distinctives B. Christians must seek ways to implement these principles. 1. Our commitment must be to what the Bible declares, not to what is socially acceptable. 2. The implementation of these principles may vary from culture to culture. 3. We don't have the option of neglecting these principles.

Modesty
A. Clothes are intended to conceal not reveal. 1. Since the fall, public nudity is shameful. Genesis 3:7-10, 21: "{7} Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. {8} And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. {9} Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, Where are you? {10} So he said, I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.' . . . {21} Also for Adam and his wife the LORD God made tunics of skin, and clothed them." Luke 8:27, 35: "{27} And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And

Notes

he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs. . . . {35} Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid." 2. It is instinctive for us to cover our nudity. 3. Society has historically acknowledged this. 4. Our society is pushing the limits. B. Biblical teaching on modesty of dress 1. We are to follow Christian principles in all areas of our lives. a. Self-control and moderation (I Corinthians 9:25; Galatians 5:23) b.Avoid loving and conforming to the world (Romans 12:2; James 4:4; I John 2:15). 2. Specific passages concerning dress I Timothy 2:9: "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" I Peter 3:3-5: "Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; {4} 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. {5} 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." 3. Scripture teaches that lust is sinful. This means presenting oneself in a way which provokes lust is also sinful. (See Matthew 7:12; 18:6; 22:3740; Romans 14:13; I Corinthians 8:13.)

4. Immodesty can appeal to vanity and pride in the one dressing immodestly. Dressing immodestly can result in violating all three categories of sin in I John 2:16: "For all that is in the world; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life; is not of the Father but is of the world." 5. Dressing immodestly can redefine the basis for attraction and the foundation for relationships. I Peter 3:3-5: "{3}Do not let your adornment be merely outward; arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel; {4} 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. {5} For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands." 6. Dressing modestly respects the human being as one created in the image of God and deserving respect. Dressing immodestly removes one's dignity and makes one a public spectacle. C. Some practical guidelines for modesty 1. Acknowledge God's desire for us to dress modestly. a. If there is modest attire, there must be immodest attire. b.Recognize that the world is not our standard. c. Most people likely do not intend to dress provocatively; they simply go along with trends. 2. Our desire should be to please God. a. What brings glory to God? b.What is pleasing to God? c. Is it pleasing to God that I display my body in this way today? 3. Specific considerations: a. God considers uncovering the thigh and leg to be immodest (Isaiah 47:2). b.Clothes should adequately cover one's body so it is not exposed in a way that is sexually appealing. c. Clothes should not accentuate the specific curves of one's body. d.Clothes should not be so tight they cup around parts of one's body. e.Clothes should not be so tight that the outline of undergarments is visible. f. Clothes should not look like they are stretched across one's body including stretch fabric, t-shirts, slim-cut pants (men), short shorts, sleeveless tops, swimming suits in mixed company, etc. 4. What would be one's motive for violating any of these principles? Why would you want to display your figure? Why would you want to reveal your shape in a specific way?

Recommended reading In Search of Holiness by David K. Bernard Practical Holiness: A Second Look by David K. Bernard Modesty by Nan Pamer The Girl in the Dress by Lori Wagner "Mixing Fashion with Faith" http://www.lhj.com/volunteering/dress-codes-mixingfashion-with-faith/?page=1