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!