MODESTY
What thou shall and shall not wear
I believe we all read the Bible and understand words based upon our biases and current beliefs. To give you a background on my beliefs about modesty, I grew up in a church where women were not allowed to wear makeup, jewelry, or anything else that would draw attention to themselves. Women were supposed to wear long dresses that covered their ankles, high neck shirts, and typically have on long sleeve shirts. In the 15 years that I attended the church, “modesty” changed. Eventually, women started wearing shorter skirts that were knee length and slight amounts of mascara and eyeliner were seen on faces.
I was taught that God never changes His stance on topics like this (I’ll discuss this topic at another time), so if God wasn’t changing his mind about modesty, what really was modest attire for a man and woman. After lots of research, this is my belief. I believe that God wants us to glorify Him in EVERYTHING that we do, “…glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 & 1 Corinthians 10:31). Other than this principle and verse, I don’t think He cares what we wear unless it causes other people to stumble in their faith. Woe to the one whom the temptations come (Matthew 18:6-7).
Although I think He doesn’t care, there are a few verses that declare women should not braid their hair, wear gold, wear pearls, or dress in men’s clothing (1 Peter 3:3-4, 1 Timothy 2:8-10, & Deuteronomy 22:5). Now you can take these versus literally, but I feel led to think that they really are telling us that we should have a gentle spirit that isn’t trying to seek attention. We should be able to rest in the knowledge that God has created us beautifully. I think we all know women that are beautiful without any makeup. They are typically the women who are so confident in who they are that they don’t need to embellish their attributes. Now if you like embellishing yourself and getting “dolled up,” I don’t think God has any problem with that as long as your heart is pure in your reasoning.
We were born naked and so was Adam (Genesis 3:21). Genesis 3:21 explicitly states that God made skin for Adam to wear. If God really wanted us covered up to show Him honor, then I believe He would have given us more hair from the beginning. We’re one very few mammals that isn’t covered in hair or fur. For me, I hate wearing full piece swim suits, I get more wedgies and I HATE having wet fabric on me. I don’t choose to wear a bikini because I hope someone other than my husband will think I’m sexy, I wear a bikini because I want as little amount of fabric on me as possible. I would be the Christian at the nude beach because I hate clothing that much.
The only case I found for wearing “modest” clothing would be if you know the people around you have an issue with lustful desires or thoughts. Now I’ve heard that all men have lustful desires and thoughts, but I think this is completely degrading. Men can choose what they lust after just like women can. If a man struggles with lustful thoughts, then I don’t think they should be going to places where people have little clothing on. To me, it isn’t my responsibility as a Christian to cover up for the few men that are having issues with their thoughts. Never the less, I never want to be a stumbling block for someone in the walk with Christ (Romans 14:13). If I know I’ll be around a group of teenage boys, I’ll stay away from wearing swimsuits that are more revealing.
Overall, many religions have different perceptions about what God wants them to wear or not wear. I think God is calling us all to live different journeys and believe different things about we wear. I urge you to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you ask God what He wants you to be wearing or not wearing. I hope you find this blog liberating and/or peaceful as you make your own decisions.
women and men should be able to wear whatever they want
Is dressing modestly about not offending another man? (1 Thessalonians 4:2-10)
Our bodies should be living sacrifices to God (Romans 12:1)
women need to dress modestly & men can dress however they want
Our clothing should express that we are God loving and obedient like everything else. The Bible doesn’t say anything about how a man should dress, but no books were written by men either.