Sunday, May 15, 2016 am
OTHERS 17
SINS OF SOCIETY (1)
DOES IT MATTER WHAT I WEAR?
As
we continue our study of the Christian and others, for the next few
lessons I want to address some sins of society and how they affect us as
Christians. How do these
relate to others? It is
related to our influence. As
we let our lights shine it is going to be reflected in our appearance,
where we go and what we do.
Quite often, our refusal to participate in certain activities can
send a message to our friends and associates.
And the Bible says so.
1 Peter 4:3-5 speaks of this.
Today we want to begin by addressing what the Bible says about what we
wear.
Immodesty is a big problem in our society.
We live in a climate that is warm to hot most of the year, and
typically, as the temperatures increase, clothing seems to decrease.
But it is also a climate where there is very little shame.
We don’t know how to
blush anymore. We
see immodesty on television, on billboards and other forms of
advertising everywhere. We
are also living in a place where vanity is on display.
People don’t hesitate to show off as much skin as possible,
whether it be an absolute lack of clothing, see-through clothing
(proudly displaying their undergarments), skin-tight clothing, or
clothing that is designed to provoke lustful thoughts (clothing lines
that barely cover the unpresentable parts), and clothing with filthy or
suggestive images and slogans on it, etc.
Furthermore, the attitude is such that many dare you to say
something about it. But the
attitude a society has toward a subject does NOT affect what the Bible
teaches on it. And what we
are interested in is what the Bible teaches.
This is a challenging subject because the Bible doesn’t have a specific
dress code (how short, how tight, how much cleavage, how much thigh or
midriff, should men wear shirts, etc.).
But, as with many subjects, as we reach maturity (our intent in
these studies), we learn to apply principles from God’s word.
That applies to what we wear.
NOTE: The question of what a Christian should wear is very personal and
emotional. It might involve
decisions to participate in certain activities and where you go.
It is a decision that is affected by peer pressure and affects
our youth at a critical time in their lives.
That is why I ask us to honestly
examine the principles of scripture and apply them to this subject.
At the end of this lesson, we are going to present a series of
questions to consider as we consider what we wear.
a.
Nakedness is the lack of
clothing. It is exposure of
private parts of the body.
When the Bible speaks of nakedness, usually it is in call to
modesty.
b.
The Garden of Eden
– Gen.
2:25 tells us that when God created Adam and Eve, that they were both
naked and not ashamed. But
after Adam and Eve sinned (Genesis3), we are told they knew they were
naked and things changed.
As a result, they sowed fig leaves as coverings (minimally
covering parts of their body).
But when the LORD appeared, in vs. 10-11.
Then in 3:21 – God made tunics of skin to cover what was
inadequate. This shows that one
can be clothed and still be naked (immodest).
c.
Exodus 20:25-26 – priests were to be careful not to expose their nakedness.
As a result, altars were not to be built with steps.
Later in Exodus 28:42, as instructions were given concerning
priestly garments they were told their trousers should reach form the
waist to the thighs to cover their nakedness.
d.
Prov. 7:10
– the attire of a harlot, Genesis 38:13-15 – Tamar dressed as a harlot,
etc. This tells us that
clothing can reveal things about our character.
e.
Nakedness was associated
with shame or humiliation
– Revelation 3:18 – Laodicea, was poor, naked and blind – exposed!
Gen. 9:22-23 – Ham saw the nakedness of his father Noah and was
cursed as a result of it.
Isaiah 47:3 speaking of future Babylon, they nakedness would be
uncovered and their shame seen.
f.
The point of such
examples, is to note there is something to be said about one covering
themselves, and to do so, so that they manifest modesty.
a.
What you wear IS a
reflection of who you are!
That is manifest in the emphasis on fashions. If you don’t think
what you wear is important, why does the fashion industry spend billions
to make you think it does? Typically,
the way one dresses is an indication of attitude (worldly, sexual,
athletic, etc.) – there’s
casual and formal dress.
You can tell the religion of some by what they wear.
b.
Matthew 6:33
– seek first the kingdom of God.
What is your priority?
Who are you trying to please? We
need to factor this in every decision we make.
Remember how we have noted, that sometimes we need to set aside
our personal preferences and consider what God tells us to do.
Are we will to “observe all things commanded” (Matt. 28:19-20)
even if it means changing what we wear?
c.
1 Timothy 2:9-10, a passage that uses several words for us to consider when we think about
what we wear.
i.
Adorn –
(κοσμέω, kosmeō) the word from which we get our English word, cosmetics,
and cosmos (meaning orderly).
What one wears, including that which one wears to make themselves
attractive. L&N
(79.12) describes it as, “to cause something to be beautiful.”
NOTE: There is nothing wrong with one making themselves
attractive!
ii.
Modest –
becoming or proper. (Proper
clothing – NASB, respectable - ESV)
Well-ordered and being appropriate.
iii.
Propriety –
the idea of one who is self-conscious. (Modesty – NASB, Shamefacedness –
KJV). This is one who is
aware of how others are watching them.
There is no desire to be an embarrassment to others.
iv.
Moderation – behaving in a sensible manner.
(Discreetly – NASB, sobriety – KJV, self-control – ESV).
In this word I see one who is not seeking to draw undue attention
to themselves. This is one
alert in making choices.
We’ve seen the outfits that are so outrageous, when one enters the room
– everyone looks, and usually it is NOT for good reasons.
v.
Proper –
that which is fitting or right, suitable.
vi.
Professing godliness – godliness is the quality of one seeking to be pleasing to
God. IN all that we do, that
is our goal. So we need to
ask, “How am I representing God in what I am doing (or wearing)?”
vii.
NOTE:
MODESTY is about all these words.
While our concern is typically the lack of clothing, it can also
be too much clothing (too flashy, showing off) which is actually what
Paul described in this text.
d.
Modesty is about
humility
– 1 Pet. 3:3-6. This is a
passage that describes how we seek to be attractive.
“Let it be the hidden person of
the heart” - your heart is what you want to display.
That is where you will find one who is truly for you.
NOTE: When I say humility here, do not mistake that with feeling
worthless or low self-esteem. Often
times, clothing and appearance is seeking attention.
e.
Titus 2:3-5
– older women teaching younger women to be –
discreet (based upon the
same word as moderation in 1 Tim. 2:9),
chaste (not chased) which
means pure, etc. Again, we find
the character of a woman which will manifest itself in their apparel as
in other aspects of their lives.
NOTE: Older ladies, take care of it when you see you younger ladies or
babes in Christ wearing something questionable.
Remember older women are teaching younger women.
But do so diplomatically.
Don’t put men in an uncomfortable position to have to address
this.
f.
The problem of lust – it is no accident that the Bible devotes more to what women
wear than men. It’s
not as much about the woman as the man.
It is no secret that men are more visually stimulated.
They are more prone to lust of the eyes.
That is why Jesus warned in Matthew 5:27-30 for one to look at a
woman to lust after her has committed adultery in the heart (we’re back
to the heart again). That is
why much of the pornographic industry is directed toward men.
TRUTHFULLY, most women know this!
And it often influences what they wear – good or bad!
God has intended for ONE man to enjoy the body of ONE woman, and the
opposite.
1 Corinthians 7:1-5 is clear about this.
So was Solomon in Proverbs 5:15-20 where you rejoice in the wife of your
youth.
And let us be reminded, that this marriage is for life!
Romans 7:1-3, cf. Matt. 19:9, etc.
As women (and men), we ought to present ourselves as belonging to that
one – both before and during marriage!
Don’t be party to the lust of others.
g.
As Christians we should
be aware of how our conduct affects others. As Christians, we
must make sure that what we are doing does not cause our brethren to sin
– 1 Cor. 8:9, 11-13 – beware of stumbling; 1 Cor. 10:24 – seek the
well-being of others. Vs.
31-32 – give no offense, either to the Jews, Greek or the church.
Matthew 18:6-7 – while offenses will come, woe to that man by
whom the offense comes!
Simply stated, don’t dress so as to provoke lustful thoughts in others.
h.
Are we interested in
seeing how close to the line we can get without crossing over it?
Or do we seek to avoid that line?
As Christians, we should not see how close to sin we can get.
We run away from it!
i.
What about what men wear? These same principles apply and they are a problem also.
Men wear tight clothes, go around with no shirt, wear skimpy and
revealing bathing suits, etc.
a.
What others think is
their problem?
True, ultimately we will all give an account for ourselves!
There is no excuse for men to lust and if they do, they need to
repent. Furthermore, some
will lust no matter how modest you are.
THEY have a problem and need to deal with it God’s way.
BUT everything that addresses us being a proper example and not causing
others to stumble must be considered.
Remember again Matthew 18:6-7.
Remember that we need to care about others!
b.
People don’t care what
we wear now.
Yes, society has become
desensitized in many ways, but they DO care!
Again think of the fashion industry.
Think of the sexualization of our society.
c.
I just dress to be comfortable. There are choices
where you can be comfortable and modest.
Also consider how such is an argument to justify behavior without
the Bible. Romans 3:8
d.
The Bible doesn’t say
how short is too short.
No, but we have addressed the principles.
Is your HEART modest?
That’s the question.
a.
Joe Price in a sermon
presented in 2008 addressed this subject.
He began with a series of questions, that I would like to
conclude with. These are not
exact, but they present the general idea of what he asked.
i.
If I learn that my
clothing is immodest, will I change in order to be right in the sight of
God?
ii.
If I have doubt about
the modesty of my clothing, will I change in order to be modest beyond
doubt?
iii.
IF my clothing tempts
others to sin, will I change so as not to cause them to stumble?
iv.
If my clothing brings
reproach upon Christ and His church or damages my influence, am I
willing to change?
b.
I add to this:
i.
If a concerned sister or
brother came to me, would I be willing to listen to them and consider
what they have to say?
I
submit these things for your consideration.
As I stated at the beginning, this not a fun lesson and these
thoughts have consequence.
They may involve changes in this aspect of our lives.
Will you participate in activities that involve questionable or
immodest clothing?
There are many other things to say about this.
While we are to be set apart from society, there are choices that
are still fashionable and fitting for a Christian.
As Christians, let seek to let our light shine so that others
will glorify God, NOT our own bodies.
Think about it!