Biblical Modesty for Trendy Today
by: Sandy Domelle
When I was a little girl, I remember often being told that I was to do right no matter if everyone else was or not. As the teen years came, my parents would often remind me to do right whether or not my friends did right. How many of us have heard that statement, “If your friends jump off a bridge, are you going to do it too?” I also remember Dr. Bob Jones Sr. was known for saying, “Do right until the stars fall.”
I believe God gave us His Word to give us daily reminders to do right. As I read my Bible, I am often reminded of areas where I’ve weakened and need to get back on track. If we believe that God teaches us something is wrong, those are areas where we have to stay strong. The Bible gives us boundaries for our lives. Just as we warn young people to stay away from sin because we see them push the boundaries or ride the fence, the same is true of us with our standards. Sometimes we can push those boundaries to the edge and what happens is we end up on the line, but our children pick up from there and push the line further.
It seems we live in years when everyone wants the easiness of life. We don’t want things to be too complicated, and that influences our standards. Many ladies learn what the Bible says about biblical modesty, but because we don’t want to work at keeping these standards in place it becomes easier to let them go. Also, preachers don’t preach as hard on standards like they use to, and when you go to a ladies conference, you don’t hear ladies teach on that topic anymore. Why? They don’t want to run people off. I do believe we need to give people time to grow in areas and learn, so I’m not against that. I often see is that ladies who used to have standards are letting them go. They find out that so-and-so’s church now wears skirts above the knee, they wear pants, they are wearing the trendier styles that, quite honestly, are often too tight, too low, and too revealing.
Now, does this mean that all trends are bad? No, and I think it is great that ladies want to look good and fashionable as long as they are staying modest. Television has so many reality shows that young people want to be the next Hollywood wives, so they mimic their lifestyles which definitely is not the lifestyle or trends any of us really want for our children.
I’m a firm believer in the fact if something is wrong, then it’s wrong at all times. I see parents often tell their children that certain things are wrong, but in the privacy of their home they allow them to listen to music they wouldn’t in public, wear clothing that they wouldn’t wear in public and even talk in the home in ways they shouldn’t. They are pushing boundaries at home and you think no one else will know, BUT it always comes out. That’s why we don’t allow our daughter to wear pajamas that have pants or shorts. If it’s wrong to wear them in public, what makes it right in private? God still sees!
Let me give you some thoughts about biblical modesty.
First, boundaries are the border of wrong. Why would you want to wear clothing that borders on wrong? God says in 1 Thessalonians 5:22, “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” Across every border is evil, so why would you dress on the border that is one step away from evil? I’m not saying that you can’t dress in a stylish manner, but what I am saying is that you should never want to dress in a manner that rides the border.
Second, modesty is the key. 1 Timothy 1:9 says, “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel…” Give every piece of clothing the three rule test. Do I have to cover up when I bend over? Do I have to pull my skirt down to keep it decent? Is it too tight? These are the rules that my daughter and I use when buying clothing.
Third, am I dressing to bring glory to God? 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” Would God be pleased with how you are dressed. Dressing right is a matter of the heart. I’m doing it to please the Lord not others. Everything we do in life as a Christians should be centered around God and what is pleasing to Him and how we represent Him!
Fourth, are you dressing to draw attention to your body. Romans 13:14 says, “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” You must be careful that your clothing is not filling the lusts of men. You may say that men shouldn’t look at you that way, but look what Romans 14:13 says, “Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.” You should not dress in a manner that could cause a man to lust.
Ladies, stop trying to stay up with the trends and be sure that you are dressing according to the Word of God. Likewise, be sure your daughters are dressing right as well. Let the way you dress be such that “…(which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. (1 Timothy 2:10)