Modesty
By Pastor Bill Mosley
Modesty, decency, virtue, chastity, wholesome,
proper, etc. are terms that have been used by parents for centuries as they
attempted to teach their children moral excellence. These terms are likely
still used as many parents continue to teach their offspring proper standards.
This is no surprise when parents seek to bring up their children by biblical criterion. However, the idea of modest behaviour that is taught in the Bible
has somehow taken on a relative meaning by worldly standards. But then these
words (modesty, decency, virtue, chastity, wholesome, proper, etc.) have always
had a relative point by which they obtained an established meaning.
The Word of
God gives the definition and the level of requirement established by God if the
condition of modesty, decency, virtue, etc. are to be achieved. The world today,
as always, has set a different standard for modesty, decency, virtue, and
chastity. And once again the church has picked up on the standard set by the
world and are busy defending their position on action and appearance not only in
the world but also at worship services.
Legalism is generally cried out
when this subject is approached. However, strict adherence to the law is not
an undesirable quality. Law is an established rule that must be observed if
society is to have any resemblance of a high quality of life. Even civil law
is established by our all wise God and is beneficial not only for those who
observe and respect the law but also for the disobedient (Romans 13:1-7). Just
as surely as God required Israel to follow the ceremonial law in their worship,
just that surely the moral law of God was given not only to Israel but to all
mankind and His requirements have not been repealed. God does not haphazardly
introduce His commands. Each command of God has it's own divine purpose and
morality and decency is a divine requirement.
Several months ago there
appeared in the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal a photo of a woman in the nude standing
partially hidden behind what appeared to be a pulpit stand in a church. Enough
of her body was exposed to reveal she was totally naked. Both the caption and
the article was to draw attention to make the religious gullibles believe that
she could be as spiritual in her nudist church as anyone else and could
fellowship with God feeling neither restraint nor remorse. The first woman that
found herself naked ran and hid in the trees and there were no other folks
around at that time other than her husband.
Of course her Maker was watching and
her awareness of that caused her embarrassment and fear. Wouldn't it be great
today if those who bare their bodies would as quickly take steps to get out of
sight of public view. Yet hiding from God remains impossible. Now as before it
should be an embarrassment to be seen even partially naked. However, carnal eyes
have a way of adjusting to the dark and it seems that society no longer has the
propensity to feel embarrassed. But God has not changed!
Even when the
ceremonial law was being follow and sacrifices were being offered in their
proper order and for specific purposes God did not ignore decency. When the
blueprint for the altar of stone was given not only was the proper material
required but also the manner in which it was to reconstructed. One of those
requirements was for the purpose of decency. They were to approach the place
of worship in a proper manner (Exodus 20:26, "Neither shalt thou go up by steps
unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.") If decency
did not matter why would the Lord direct them to be careful about their
approach to the altar.
Not only was the approach to be proper for the sake of
decency, their attire was for the sake of modesty. Aaron and his sons were to
wear proper clothing as they ministered to the Lord. One of the requirements of
the priest's garment included modesty (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 obvious
that the God of heaven was taking care
that His stand on modesty apparel would not be neglected.
The act of worship
they were performing was ceremonial...but their appearance as they
worshiped was moral. Although the act of worship for believers in Christ is
much different than then the believer's moral appearance in worship has not
lessened in the least. The sad conclusion of the church today seems to be
that Sunday evening and Wednesday evening services are not as demanding
spiritually as Sunday morning services and casual (often immodest) apparel is in
order.
God was concerned about the moral issue of nakedness outside the
ceremonial worship of Israel. Outside of marriage the eighteenth chapter of
Leviticus explains the rule of modesty to be followed by the closest of
relatives and the nearest of friends. The end result of disobeying these moral
rules is the severe displeasure of God. He calls such disobedience an
abomination in His sight.
The stupidity of arguing that the Gentile
church is no longer under the law in an attempt to exempt so called Christian
activity from moral excellency is so full of holes that it wouldn't even get
damp at "Wet and Wild" in Dallas. To say we are no longer under the law but
under grace only enhances responsibility. Hear our Lord on this matter
(Matthew 5:27, "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt
not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever
looketh on a woman to
lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart").
Why
would any Christian want to give another person a reason to commit adultery in
their heart? Yet many men and women of all ages who call themselves
Christians "unclothe" themselves donning modern swim attire, that only the most
worldly can possibly call modest, and bathe together without any apparent
shame. It is immoral in the sight of God! Once again listen to the inspired
Word (1st 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”).
One of the requirements for
the bishop (pastor) before those who look to the man in that position as an
example is “good behaviour” (1st Timothy 3:2). Those words are translated
from the same word as is translated “modest apparel” in (1st Timothy 2:9).
God is as interested and His requirements are as noble concerning the modest
appearance and good behavior of men as that of women. Few if any would argue
that a pastor has no responsibility to keep the requirement of good
behavior. However, some that claim to hold the position of pastor will strip
to a modern swim suit and bathe with the boys and girls they should be
setting a moral example before. By inspiration from God Paul gives this bit
of advice to the Corinthian church: “Be ye followers of me, even as I also
am of Christ” (1st Corinthians 11:1). What a mockery it is of the word of
God to claim the sacred position of leadership and throw modesty
aside.
Modern swim suit attire cannot be called modest dress by any
stretch of the imagination. Yet many church and denominational leaders plan
fun trips for youth that includes donning skimpy swim suits that leave little
to the imagination. This is true whether it is men/women or boys/girls. The
Bible does not give the size or shape of the garments Adam and Eve invented but
I am sure it covered more than the garments many church members wear today even
on the streets of America.
No pastor or preacher can expose his views on
the matter of modest apparel without being aware of opening himself up for
criticism. The opinion of man amounts to nothing at all apart from the direct
command of God. However, when God leaves no doubt concerning His feeling
about modesty it would do all of the human race good to heed His word and do
His will. Especially those who name the name of Christ. God's word does
indeed direct in the area of modesty, decency,
virtue, and chastity. It would
do every believer good to examine their appearance in the light of God's
word. This is doubly true for all with the responsibility of leadership whether
they are called of God or chosen by the church.
May God help us as believers today and members of the body of Christ to separate ourselves from the world in appearance and apparel; in fashion and fellowship. Paul was not simply passing the time of day when writing this corrective message to Corinth (2nd Corinthians 6:17,18) "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."
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