A publication of the:
Butler church of Christ
Our meeting location is:
201 5th Ave.
Butler, PA 16001
724-287-0628 (building) / 724-282-9417
(home/office)
Assembling Times:
Sunday Bible Class - 9:30 AM
Sunday Worship – 10:30 AM
Wednesday Bible Class – 7:00 PM
Editor / Preacher –
Brian A. Yeager
Check out the web site:
(I Corinthians 10:31 and I Peter 4:11)
Many sermons, articles, and bible studies have been focused around modesty over the years. It is a subject that grows more and more important as brethren seem to be more comfortable with exposure of skin opposed to clothes that cover the body. The question has obviously still not been answered in the minds of some brethren as they still do not wear that which the Bible declares as modest. If the question has been answered, then this issue is no longer one of ignorance, but one that demands local congregations hold brethren accountable (II Thessalonians 3:6). This article will address this subject so that the readers of this article will no longer question what is and what is not modest. The Bible clearly defines how God would have us to clothe ourselves.
The Bible Defines Modest Apparel
In Paul’s first inspired epistle to Timothy he wrote: (I Timothy 2:9-10) “In like manner also, 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.” From this passage we can understand that we should not be dressing in a way to draw attention to ourselves. We should not leave our homes with clothing on that will turn heads. The warmer months are typically our times of problems with modesty. Men and women wear shorts or whatever it can be that will keep them cooler. The question of length of garments comes into play at this point.
God defines the appropriate length of garments: (Exodus 28:42) “And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach.” It is interesting to point out that God considers the uncovered thigh to be nakedness. The thigh is defined as: “the proximal segment of the vertebrate hind limb extending from the hip to the knee and supported by a single large bone. - Webster” Let’s use a chart to display what God is says in Exodus 28:42:
Conclusion
When one considers God’s measurements of modesty they realize how much immodesty there is in the world. They also realize that there are some things Christians ought not to do such as wear bathing suits in public etc. Some argue that modesty is defined by culture, but the Bible does not teach that, just as the Bible does not teach that culture defines a scriptural marriage. Christians are to be lights to the world (Matthew 5:14-16), not examples of how skimpy someone can dress or how tight someone can wear clothing. Here are some points to consider when we dress:
1. God defined modesty (Exodus 28:42 and Genesis 3:21).Do you need to go through your closet and drawers and change the way you dress? Do not let dressing immodestly keep you from Heaven. Let’s consider that God demands us to be a people who are not worldly in the way we dress just as in all other areas of our lives. Surely, immodest clothing is something we can live without!
2. The Bible shows us what can happen even when we unwittingly cause one to lust after us (II Samuel 11:2ff.).
3. We should never cause someone to look on us in a way that would make them sin (Matthew 5:28 and Romans 14:13).
4. We are God’s people (I Peter 2:9-10), not people of the world (I John 2:15-17).
Quick
NotesThose In Need of Our Prayers:
Steve Burgoon as he recovers, Trevor Yeager
as he undergoes testing, and Joan Croyle.