It should be impossible for a Christian to see a movie or television program that flaunts
scantily clad women without recognizing that Satan is at work, and that he is mockingly winning the "immodesty"
battle. The even bigger problem is that it is not just on TV, in the movies and on the streets that the battle is being lost;
Satan has lulled us to sleep and we have allowed immodest and inappropriate dress to march, not creep, into our worship assemblies
as well.
I recently read a book entitled "The Modest Heart" written by Crystal L. Garza. The author was rightly
concerned about how men felt about the modern trends in women's clothing as it pertained to their spirituality. Some of
the comments she quoted were shockingly enlightening to me. One such comment was, "Sisters in Christ, you really
have no concept of the struggles that guys face on a daily basis. Please, please, please take a higher standard in the ways
you dress. True, we men are responsible for our thoughts and actions before the Lord, but it is such a blessing when we know
that we can spend time with our sisters in Christ , enjoying their fellowship without having to be constantly on guard against
ungodly thoughts brought about by the inappropriate ways they sometimes dress. In 1 Corinthians 12 the apostle Paul presents
believers as members of one body - we have to work together. Every Christian has a role to play in the body of Christ. That
goal is to bring glory to the Savior through an obedient, unified body of believers - please don't hurt that unity by
dressing in ways that may tempt your brothers to stumble" (Age 20).
(He is right! I had no concept of
men's struggles concerning how women dress. Women, we need to not only stand in front of our mirrors to see if we are
dressed modestly, we need to bend over and observe what the mirror is telling us. Now we can see what others see, not
only in front, but behind us.)
And another, "As a Christian guy, modesty is SO attractive. I do not mean
attractive in a lustful way, but that to see a girl living out God's standards in her life is really beautiful. And you
have no idea how much you would be helping your Christian brothers by being modest" (Age 16)
Another survey
conducted by a sister in Christ in another state and by myself yielded the following comments:
1. "Your
willingness to address this subject just brought tears of gratitude to my eyes. Each of us approach this subject from different
situations, but for me, a single young man, women who dress immodestly is a stumbling block with no end."
2.
"Many older women are not setting proper examples for the younger women in the way they dress."
3."Modesty implies moderation between two extremes and the extremes here are overdressing in opulence
that incites envy in those less fortunate and under-
dressing in impudence that incites lust in the hearts
of men."
4. "Women need to quit blaming men for allowing their minds to think unwholesome thoughts
and take their own responsibility to dress modestly. In my judgment this is an area that has been needing correction for a
number of years."
5. "Thank you for being concerned about this issue. It has bothered me
for some time." This comment from a young lady. I am grateful for her modest heart.
6. "Ask
yourself after the last look in the mirror, 'Am I dressed for God and for the Holy Spirit who dwell in me'?"
7.
"I am seeing way too much from low cut dresses and too short dresses to the point I must frequently divert my eyes."
This from a mature, Godly, teacher of the Word.
8. "If the mind is set on serving and pleasing God - appearance
will follow in dressing as one who is a representative of the Father."
From the above quotes we fully
understand a low cut shirt, blouse or dress, tight fitting clothing and clothing that is too short is an eye magnet for men.
One young Christian man's opinion is that a woman's clothing would be least immodest if it did not reveal anything
below the collar bone and hemlines did not come above the knee. Older women are to train the young women to be
self-controlled and chaste, pure. (Titus 2:5). (I have been negligent in doing this. I would encourage other older
women to give adequate time to teaching younger women concerning this subject. We must be careful not to be among those "whose
oil is gone before the Master comes.")
The American Standard uses the word chaste in the above
passage, and the NIV uses pure. Chaste in the Greek is hagnos which means, according
to Strong's, "properly clean, that is, (figuratively) innocent, modest, perfect - chaste, clean, pure." Thayer
says, "1) exciting reverence, venerable, sacred 2) pure 2a) pure from carnality, chaste, modest 2b) pure from every fault,
immaculate 2c) clean." The idea is 'not polluted with immorality'. Young women must scrupulously avoid any immorality
in thought, word, or deed. In other words, in look, in speech, even in dress, they are to be chaste or pure".
It
is impossible for older women to teach the younger about immodesty if we wear immodest clothing ourselves. There is a very
grave need for older women to be good examples if we are to slow this ungodly, provocative, sensuous trend.
We sin
any time our influence (i.e., dress) causes someone else to sin (Matt:5:28) so perhaps we should write 1 Timothy 2:9 on a
card and put it on our closet doors. "I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety: not with
braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes"(NIV).
"Happy is he that judges (condemns)
not himself in that which he approves." Romans 14:22b
Let's ask ourselves, "Where do I draw the
line? Does my clothing always reveal a modest heart that protects men from lust and, thence, from sin?"
"I
beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God,
which is your spiritual service. And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your
mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:1-2).
"What
is man that you make so much of him, that you give him so much attention, that you examine him every morning and test him
every moment?" Job 7:17-18
I welcome your comments.
Margaret Head
