Inappropriate and Modest
Most people probably know that outward appearance and clothing do not make you better or worse than anyone else. We should desire to leave a Christian impression everywhere we go. Believe it or not, we are always being watched- younger siblings look up to us, friends that do not know Christ look to us to see what the right example is, and sadly, critics are watching even closer to see when we mess up so they can call us on it. I have heard it said on more than one occasion recently that “God doesn’t care what we wear, just what is in our hearts.” I’ve also heard that “God never gave a dress code.” I would like to take time to examine these ideas and the questions they bring up.
Let me begin by defining a few terms that are regularly thrown around when “Christian dress” is discussed. The words modest and immodest are regulars in most discussions of this subject. What do they really mean? Modest is defined as:
Having or showing a moderate or humble estimate of one's merits; importance, etc.; free from vanity, egotism, boastfulness, or great pretensions
Free from ostentation or showy extravagance
Having or showing regard for the decencies of behavior, speech, dress, etc.; decent
Limited or moderate in amount, extent, etc.
Synonyms:
retiring, unassuming.
2. unpretentious, unobtrusive.
3. pure, virtuous. (www.dictionary.com)
So what do these definitions boil down to? They basically say “not drawing unnecessary or undue attention to yourself, humble.” Immodest is the opposite of modest, so it would mean intentionally drawing extra attention to yourself. Did you know that you can dress in a way that doesn’t draw unnecessary attention to yourself, but can be inappropriate? Inappropriate is defined by www.dictionary.com as not appropriate; not proper or suitable; with the following synonyms improper, unsuitable, inapt, unfitting. When we dress like the world around us, whether in short skirts or tight leggings for pants, we are drawing attention to ourselves, our bodies, and are attempting to gain attention based solely on appearance. Immodest is often the word used to describe inappropriate, but they are not entirely the same. Immodest is indecent or shameless where inappropriate means it doesn’t fit the occasion properly. One example of the difference is wearing a suit and tie to services. While it would not be immodest to wear such to a worship assembly, if the one wearing them is the ONLY one there doing so, he will feel over dressed and it could be considered inappropriate since everyone there would notice this person as a result of his appearance. Finally, Let’s examine what naked or nakedness is, since clothing is to cover our nakedness. Naked is defined as: 1.being without clothing or covering; nude; 2.without adequate clothing according to www.dictionary.com.
NAKEDNESS
Unlike contemporary English usage, nakedness in the Bible can refer to a range of undress from total nudity to being inadequately clothed (Job 22:6; Ezek. 18:7; Matt. 25:36; 2 Cor. 11:27). As in contemporary English usage, however, even the more literal uses of the Hebrew and Greek terms are loaded with figurative and symbolic meanings and allusions.
Although total nudity could be associated with the innocence of a newborn child (Job 1:21; cf. Gen. 2:25; Ezek. 16:7), it was most often a euphemism for sexual organs or sexual activity (Lev. 18:1-23; 20:10-21; Ezek. 16:8). This range of euphemistic meaning has complicated attempts to understand the precise nature of Ham’s offense against Noah when he “saw his father’s nakedness” (Gen. 9:22). Commentators have suggested that Ham may have taken the occasion of Noah’s drunkenness to engage in either some form of sexual conduct with his father or an incestuous relationship with Noah’s wife. More likely the phrase is to be understood quite literally in this instance (cf. Gen. 9:21, 23), and the severity of Noah’s response relates to the affront to his dignity and Ham’s disrespect.
Adam and Eve’s own shame at the recognition of their nakedness in the wake of their disobedience (Gen. 3:7) is but one example of the fact that nakedness was associated with a variety of human conditions often considered shameful or humiliating (cf. Isa. 47:3). Nakedness symbolized adulterers (1 Sam. 20:30) and was often the defining characteristic in metaphors depicting those who rejected God as either adulterers or prostitutes (Lam. 1:8; Ezek. 16:36-37; Rev. 17:16). Nakedness in the sense of being inadequately clothed is one of several deprivations used to represent both poverty (Job 24:10; Isa. 58:7; Jas. 2:15) and oppression by one’s enemies (Deut. 28:48; Rom. 8:35). Consequently it was often used as a figure of judgment against either Israel (Ezek. 23:29), the nations (Isa. 20:2-4), or even individuals (Hos. 2:3[MT 5]).
Nakedness was also associated with ecstatic spiritual states, both positively (1 Sam. 19:24; 2 Sam. 6:20-21) and negatively (Luke 8:27). The laws regarding the attire of priests and the construction of altars showed a particular concern that they avoid accidentally exposing themselves during the performance of their duties (Exod. 20:26; 28:42). Whether these laws were a direct reaction against aspects of Canaanite religious practice, as some have suggested, or reflected a more general taboo regarding nakedness is subject to debate. (Timothy B. Cargal, David Noel Freedman, “EERDMANS DICTIONARY of the BIBLE,” Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible, paragraph 1.)
Basically, it boils down to some state of undress if not total nudity.
Let’s see if we can find some examples of appropriate or inappropriate dress in the Bible. After Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden, they knew they were naked and made coverings for themselves of fig leaves (Gen. 3:7, New King James Version.) The King James Version and the American Standard Version (1901) translate coverings as aprons. According to Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament via Accordance Bible Software, the Hebrew word rendered aprons here “was mankind’s first garment, loincloths (KJV, RSV “aprons”) hastily improvised from fig leaves by Adam and Eve (Gen 3:7.)” We do not read of God pointing out to them that the coverings they made were not adequate, instead we read of them hiding because they knew they were naked (some form of being under dressed.) We then read where God made Adam and his wife tunics or coats of skin after he discussed with them their sin and punishments (Gen. 3:21.) What Adam and Eve constructed from the leaves was not enough for the Father, so He made them garments of skins. The Hebrew Strong’s Lexicon via Accordance Bible Software defines the word “from an unused root meaning to cover (compare 3802); a shirt:—coat, garment, robe.” Whether Adam and Eve were not ashamed to be naked together is not clear-although God intended the husband and wife relationship to be pure and beautiful, between 1 man and 1 woman (Heb. 13:4, Gen 2:27)- but the passage clearly states they were hiding from God because of their nakedness. In Exodus 20:26, 28:42, God is giving instructions on appropriate coverings for the priests that as they go up to the alter their nakedness will be covered. In John 21, we read of several of the apostles and disciples of Christ being at the Sea of Tiberias and deciding to go fishing. After fishing all night and catching nothing, a Man on the shore (Jesus) told them to cast their nets on the right side of the boat and they would catch some. They were unable to lift the net into the boat since it was so full. “Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea.” (John 21:7.) Peter put his outer garment back on and then jumped in the water to go to Christ. If God has no standard for clothed vs naked (appropriate vs inappropriate), why would he weigh himself down with extra clothing to swim to shore? Often we see men losing shirts while mowing to be “more comfortable” while working and I’ve been told “it’s just too hot to wear more.” All I can say is John 14:15, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” Those commandments include the instructions found in Matthew 22:37-39, “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Verse 39 is the key to our thinking of others and doing our best to not place a stumbling block before them. We should ask ourselves if what we are wearing will cause our friends and family to think impure thoughts. We cannot prevent every person’s mind from wandering to the inappropriate, but we can do things to prevent them from going their because of us. We can do a “mirror check” Is it too tight? Too thin (see through)? When I lean over, does it fall forward and expose me? Are the arm holes so large that my undergarments are visible? Is it too short (remember that if your knees are not covered when you are standing then there will be nothing hanging over your knees to block a view of your undergarments from certain angles.)
In 1 Tim 2:9-10 women are instructed to “…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.” Paul was writing to Timothy and telling him to teach the members of the Lord’s church these things. The commands to not wear costly clothing and braided hair was to avoid appearing like the rich, worldly people around them. If we are busy working in the Lord’s kingdom, we will not be concerned with wearing the latest fashion while we go assist an elderly couple in cleaning their home, or mowing someone’s lawn, and things of this nature. It doesn’t state braided hair or nice clothing is a sin, just to avoid the excessive extremes of attempting to draw attention to yourself for your clothing or hairstyle or to appear to be more important than those around you. We should desire to be arrayed in good works, and while we do these good works we should be properly clothed covering the body so as not to cause any (our siblings in Christ or the worldly around us) to have improper thoughts about us.
We want to look our best and there is nothing wrong with that, unless we allow ourselves to be deceived into thinking we need to wear the “latest trend or style” and BLEND in with the worldly.
1 Pet. 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
Called out…not the blending in... Or JUST the same as... Ephesians 5:11 says “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”(Emphasis added by SLP.) Rom. 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Be transformed by renewing your mind in His word! We should be studying His word (2 Tim. 2:15) and doing His commands (John 14:15, John 15:14) because we love him and want to be called His friends.
1Pet. 1:15 “but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.” These verses all point to the HEART being the priority, and not how fashionable we can appear. We should desire to be right with God. God defined nakedness and His definition has not changed.