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Morality

A look at “proper” or “modest”

clothing

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1 Timothy 2:9-10

“Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with

braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, [10] but rather by

means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness.”

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Naked

UnclothedScantily clad or poorly cladClad in undergarments only

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Apparel

A garment let down, dress, attire (Thayer’s Greek English Lexicon)

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Modest:

Orderly, well arranged, decent;The well ordering is not of dress and demeanor only but of the inner life, uttering indeed and expressing itself in the outward conversation (conduct)(Vine’s Exp. Dict.)

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Shamefacedness:

A sense of shame, that modesty which is rooted in the character - the opposite of brazenness;

a shrinking from all that is indelicate

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Sobriety:

Reasonableness, rationality, good judgment, self government with its constant rein on all the passions and desires which would hinder the temptations to these from arising. (Vine’s Esp. Dict.)

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Bible Principles that Regulate Dress

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Man – vs - God

Fig leaves used to make Aprons (3:7)Hebrew: HAGORA -- “girdle, belt, ... loinclothes, ... aprons”

Garment covering loins; from abdomen down, pubic region and hips; anything from midriff or waist and often covering hips

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Man

Fig leaves used to make APRONS (3:7)Completely “naked” or nude before apron (v. 7),

Relatively “naked” with apron (v. 10).

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God

Animal skin used to make adequate clothing or Coats / Tunic (3:21)Hebrew: KUTTONET“a tunic...; generally with sleeves, coming down to the knees, rarely to the ankles”

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Man – vs - God

Went from strictly nakedTo partially naked – ManTo properly clothed – God

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How Flexible Can We Be?

Consider Culture and CustomNakedness covered by GodThis principle is not subject to change.Genesis 3:7, 10-11, 21

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How Flexible Can We Be?

Consider Culture and CustomAdjust to styles and fashions, but not beyond the limit of God’s Word.1 Corinthians 9:19-22

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The Effect of Immodesty

Effect on the woman.It violates the principles of 1 Timothy 2:9-10

It causes others to stumble.Romans 14:21

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The Effect of Immodesty

Effect on the manCommits adultery in his heart.

Matthew 5:28Is not abstaining “from every form

of evil”.1 Thessalonians 5:22

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A Look At Modern Dress

ConformityRomans 12:1,2“... Mini clothes are symbolic of these girls who want to seduce a man.”

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A Look At Modern Dress

ConformityAnytime conformity overrules a precept of God, a Christian cannot conformActs 5:29

“But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men.”

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A Look At Modern Dress

Swimsuits offer the excuse to expose more of the body in public with absolutely no shame whatever.

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Some Criteria to judge by:

Would I be embarrassed if Jesus saw me wearing this.

Does my husband (or father) regard this as modest?

Would such tend to be lascivious? Galatians 5:19.

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Some Criteria to judge by:

Would such dress lead another to commit adultery in their heart?

Does such dress befit a woman (or a man) professing godliness?

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Fruit of Immodest Apparel vs. Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:19-23

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Galatians 5:19-23

“Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,

[20] idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes,

dissensions, factions, [21] envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I

have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the

kingdom of God. …”

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Galatians 5:19-23

“…[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,

goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, self-control; against such things there

is no law.”

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Fruit of Immodest Apparel vs. Fruit of the Spirit

Shorter and Shorter Shorts1 Timothy 4:2“by means of the hypocrisy of liars

seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron,”

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Fruit of Immodest Apparel vs. Fruit of the Spirit

More Tolerant of Other Forms of Worldliness.2 Timothy 3:13“But evil men and impostors will

proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.”

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Fruit of Immodest Apparel vs. Fruit of the Spirit

Irreverent Toward God and Worship.Matthew 22:12

“and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without wedding

clothes?' And the man was speechless.”

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Fruit of Immodest Apparel vs. Fruit of the Spirit

Irreverent Toward God and Worship.Nakedness suggest sin, shame, and irreverence

Associated with unacceptable worship.Exodus 20:26

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Exodus 20:26

“'And you shall not go up by steps to My altar, so that your nakedness will

not be exposed on it.'”

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Exodus 28:42

“"You shall make for them linen breeches to cover their bare flesh; they shall reach from the loins even to the

thighs.”

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Exodus 32:25

“Now when Moses saw that the people were out of control—for Aaron had let them get out of control to be a derision

among their enemies—”

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Fruit of Immodest Apparel vs. Fruit of the Spirit

Create Sexual TemptationsGalatians 5:19

“Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity,

sensuality,”

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Fruit of Immodest Apparel vs. Fruit of the Spirit

Create Sexual TemptationsNakedness associated with sexual impulses and desires -- so much so, to “see” or “uncover” nakedness is a euphemism for sexual intercourse.Leviticus 20:17

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Leviticus 20:17

“'If there is a man who takes his sister, his father's daughter or his mother's

daughter, so that he sees her nakedness and she sees his nakedness, it is a

disgrace; and they shall be cut off in the sight of the sons of their people. He has uncovered his sister's nakedness;

he bears his guilt.”

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Fruit of Immodest Apparel vs. Fruit of the Spirit

Resist and Resent Plain Bible Preaching.2 Timothy 4:3-4

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2 Timothy 4:3-4

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, [4] and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to

myths.”

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Fruit of Immodest Apparel vs. Fruit of the Spirit

It Softens Hearts for the Next Apostasy2 Timothy 4:3-4

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2 Timothy 4:3-4

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting

to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, [4]

and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.”

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Fruit of Immodest Apparel vs. Fruit of the Spirit

It Softens Hearts for the Next Apostasy“Accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative” in the pulpit.

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Fruit of Immodest Apparel vs. Fruit of the Spirit

It Softens Hearts for the Next Apostasy“Should not offend anyone”“Just preach love and the issues will go away.”

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Fruit of Immodest Apparel vs. Fruit of the Spirit

It Softens Hearts for the Next Apostasy“Preach Christ, not baptism, one true church, obedience, Bible Pattern, modesty, etc.”

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Clothing Symbolic of Character

Character of one wearing immodest apparelProverbs 7:10-25

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Proverbs 7:10-25

“And behold, a woman comes to meet him, Dressed as a harlot and cunning of heart. [11] She is boisterous and rebellious, Her feet do not remain at home; [12] She is

now in the streets, now in the squares, And lurks by every corner. [13] So she seizes

him and kisses him And with a brazen face she says to him: ...”

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Proverbs 7:10-25

“… [14] "I was due to offer peace offerings; Today I have paid my vows. [15] "Therefore I have come out to meet you, To

seek your presence earnestly, and I have found you. [16] "I have spread my couch

with coverings, With colored linens of Egypt. [17] "I have sprinkled my bed With

myrrh, aloes and cinnamon. …”

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Proverbs 7:10-25

“…[18] "Come, let us drink our fill of love until morning; Let us delight ourselves with caresses. [19] "For my husband is not at

home, He has gone on a long journey; [20] He has taken a bag of money with him, At

the full moon he will come home." [21] With her many persuasions she entices him; With

her flattering lips she seduces him. …”

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Proverbs 7:10-25

“…[22] Suddenly he follows her As an ox goes to the slaughter, Or as one in fetters to the discipline of a fool, [23] Until an arrow pierces through his liver; As a bird hastens

to the snare, So he does not know that it will cost him his life. [24] Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, And pay attention to

the words of my mouth. [25] Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, Do not

stray into her paths.”

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Clothing Symbolic of Character

Character of one wearing immodest apparelCunning of heart (subtle) v. 10Boisterous, rebellious, paints the town red v. 11

Aggressive, promiscuous v. 13

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Clothing Symbolic of Character

Character of one wearing immodest apparelBrazen face v. 13Notice – these attitudes accompany the attire of a harlot v. 10

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Clothing Symbolic of Character

Character of one wearing modest clothing 1 Timothy 2:9-15

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1 Timothy 2:9-15

“Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and

gold or pearls or costly garments, [10] but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to

godliness. [11] A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire

submissiveness. …”

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1 Timothy 2:9-15

“…[12] But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. [13] For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. [14] And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the

woman being deceived, fell into transgression. [15] But women will be

preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity

with self-restraint.”

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Clothing Symbolic of Character

Character of one wearing modest clothingModestly / Shamefacedness

the ability to blush - the exact opposite of brazenness v. 9

Discreetly / Sobriety Sound judgment, self-government v. 10

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Clothing Symbolic of Character

Character of one wearing modest clothingQuiet and Submissive v. 11Motherhood

continue in faith, love, sanctity with self-restraint. v. 15

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2 Samuel 13:12-13

“But she answered him, "No, my brother, do not violate me, for such a thing is not done in Israel; do not do this disgraceful thing! [13] "As for me, where could I get rid of my reproach? And as for you, you

will be like one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, please speak to the king, for he

will not withhold me from you."”

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Clothing Symbolic of Character

All governed by same standard – God’s

Each concerned about relation to others.

Each one keep themselves pure.

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God fearing people cannot abandon the required virtues of modesty, sobriety and shamefacedness no matter what the crowd or fashion suggest.

Proverbs 11:22 “As a ring of gold in a swine's snout

So is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.”

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The Bible clearly teaches that shorts or skirts exposing the thighs are not modest dress.Remember the difference between the garments made by Adam and Eve, and garments made by God.

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If we stumble and err, we must confess to God and correct the sin1 John 1:9

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

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If you are not a Christian …

“'Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your

sins, calling on His name.'”Acts 22:16

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