Modesty
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-Introduction
-Much of the various aspects of Christianity (from responsibilities to struggles) can be found in being
different from the world (2 Cor. 6:14-18). There is an on-going danger of becoming/being
desensitized to the world and becoming more like it.
-We are to be an influence to the world, not influenced by the world (Rom. 12:1-2).
-When we hosted the tri-state youth series, I pointed out how God is willing to clothe us spiritually
(Isa. 61:10). Yet, we also need to be mindful of how we clothe ourselves physically.
-This seems to be an area where our society has lost its sense of shame and restraint. (Contrast
Ezra 9:6 to Jer 6:15, 8:12.) We, as Christians, cannot lose that sense of shame and restraint.
-So, let’s turn to the scriptures and see what we can learn about the important but neglected topic
of modesty.
-Modesty and 1 Tim 2:9
-1 Tim. 2:9 – Compare KJV and ESV.
-“respectable (ESV)/ “modest” (ESV) – kosmios - “orderly, well arranged, decent, modest”(Vines)
-“modesty”(ESV)/ “shamefacedness” (KJV) – aidos - “a sense of shame, modesty” (Vines)
-“self-control”(ESV)/ “sobriety” (KJV) – “soundness of mind, soberness, sound judgment”(Vines)
-Notice these words – respect, sense of shame, self-control, sound judgment
-There is somuch more that should go into the clothing we choose than what is popular and trendy
at the time and what “everybody else” is wearing.
-And it certainly shouldn’t be approached with the idea of “How can I draw attention to myself
through my clothing decisions?”. In Timothy’s day, these women were drawing attention to
themselves by their physical appearance. He told them not to do so – an important lesson for
us.
-Sensuality / Lasciviousness
-Mark 7:20-22 (“sensuality” –ESV; “lasciviousness” – KJV)
-We should be mindful of the fact that our society has become much more focused on sensuality.
-aselgeia - "…absence of restraint, indecency…”
-2 Cor 12:20-21, Gal 5:16-21, Rom. 13:13
-The scriptures only contain the word “modest” a time or two. But, they clearly condemn sensuality
which is contrary to modesty.
-And, did you notice the link in the previous passages between immodesty and lust?
-1 John 2:15-17
-Lust
-Our manner of dress, if immodest, could contribute to another person’s lust.
-Some people do have a problem with lust. And, if they lust after a modestly dressed person,
it is their problem. But, if the person is immodestly dressed, it is the problem of both.
-We as Christians must be mindful of others and should not contribute to sin – Matt. 18:7.
-It is long past due for Christian fathers to take a stand on modesty – in regards to their own manner
of dress, the dress of those within their households.
-Do The Scriptures “Draw the Line”?
-Three passages are of special interest in regards to our topic in terms of “drawing the line of
modesty”. With these, we can see the importance of realizing this fact – nakedness in the
scriptures is not limited to nudity.
1. Isaiah 47:1-4
-This passage is dealing with the fall of Babylon. They would go from an high,
exalted, powerful position to that of humiliation and shame.
-Notice, part of this is described as to “uncover your legs”.
-thigh – (Strongs) – showq - the (lower) leg (as a runner): hip, leg, shoulder, thigh
-When you look at the meanings of the words in this passage combined with the
phrase, “pass over the rivers”, it carries with it the idea of lifting up clothing while
wading waters.
-In so doing the person exposes the leg - “nakedness shall be uncovered”.
2. Ex 28:42
-This is in the context of the clothing worn by the priests.
-Notice, they were to wear linen undergarments to “cover their naked flesh”.
-Those undergarments were to “reach from the hips to the thighs”.
-“to” (ESV) “even unto” (KJV) – (Strongs) – “as far as (or long or much)…”
-The Living Bible says “reaching from hips to knees”.
3. Gen 3:7, 10, 21
-When Adam and Eve sinned they realized that they were naked and then tried to“clothe”
themselves with “loincloths” (ESV), “aprons” (KJV).
-Yet, in vs 10, Adam still refers to his condition as“naked.”
-In verse 21, God made them “coats”.
-coats – (Strongs) – kethoneth – to cover; a shirt: coat, garment, robe
-It is akin to katheph – to clothe; the shoulder (proper, i.e. the upper end of the
arm as being the spot where the garments hang)
-This shows that merely covering their bodies in the area of their waste was not
good enough in God’s sight. He also covered their upper bodies.
-Summary and Invitation
-Yes, cultural standards change as time goes by but Biblical standards do not. Clothing that is
accepted culturally may not be acceptable Biblically.
-Biblically speaking, we are to cover ourselves from our shoulders to our knees. This is based upon
God’s standards and is not to be a matter of situational ethics.
-Let’s keep a sense of shame, self-control, modesty and sound judgment in tact!
-Again, it comes down to this: Are we wanting to be pleasing in the sight of God - confirming to His
will - or pleasing in the sight of the world –blending with its standards?
<Return to Sermon Outlines>
-Introduction
-Much of the various aspects of Christianity (from responsibilities to struggles) can be found in being
different from the world (2 Cor. 6:14-18). There is an on-going danger of becoming/being
desensitized to the world and becoming more like it.
-We are to be an influence to the world, not influenced by the world (Rom. 12:1-2).
-When we hosted the tri-state youth series, I pointed out how God is willing to clothe us spiritually
(Isa. 61:10). Yet, we also need to be mindful of how we clothe ourselves physically.
-This seems to be an area where our society has lost its sense of shame and restraint. (Contrast
Ezra 9:6 to Jer 6:15, 8:12.) We, as Christians, cannot lose that sense of shame and restraint.
-So, let’s turn to the scriptures and see what we can learn about the important but neglected topic
of modesty.
-Modesty and 1 Tim 2:9
-1 Tim. 2:9 – Compare KJV and ESV.
-“respectable (ESV)/ “modest” (ESV) – kosmios - “orderly, well arranged, decent, modest”(Vines)
-“modesty”(ESV)/ “shamefacedness” (KJV) – aidos - “a sense of shame, modesty” (Vines)
-“self-control”(ESV)/ “sobriety” (KJV) – “soundness of mind, soberness, sound judgment”(Vines)
-Notice these words – respect, sense of shame, self-control, sound judgment
-There is somuch more that should go into the clothing we choose than what is popular and trendy
at the time and what “everybody else” is wearing.
-And it certainly shouldn’t be approached with the idea of “How can I draw attention to myself
through my clothing decisions?”. In Timothy’s day, these women were drawing attention to
themselves by their physical appearance. He told them not to do so – an important lesson for
us.
-Sensuality / Lasciviousness
-Mark 7:20-22 (“sensuality” –ESV; “lasciviousness” – KJV)
-We should be mindful of the fact that our society has become much more focused on sensuality.
-aselgeia - "…absence of restraint, indecency…”
-2 Cor 12:20-21, Gal 5:16-21, Rom. 13:13
-The scriptures only contain the word “modest” a time or two. But, they clearly condemn sensuality
which is contrary to modesty.
-And, did you notice the link in the previous passages between immodesty and lust?
-1 John 2:15-17
-Lust
-Our manner of dress, if immodest, could contribute to another person’s lust.
-Some people do have a problem with lust. And, if they lust after a modestly dressed person,
it is their problem. But, if the person is immodestly dressed, it is the problem of both.
-We as Christians must be mindful of others and should not contribute to sin – Matt. 18:7.
-It is long past due for Christian fathers to take a stand on modesty – in regards to their own manner
of dress, the dress of those within their households.
-Do The Scriptures “Draw the Line”?
-Three passages are of special interest in regards to our topic in terms of “drawing the line of
modesty”. With these, we can see the importance of realizing this fact – nakedness in the
scriptures is not limited to nudity.
1. Isaiah 47:1-4
-This passage is dealing with the fall of Babylon. They would go from an high,
exalted, powerful position to that of humiliation and shame.
-Notice, part of this is described as to “uncover your legs”.
-thigh – (Strongs) – showq - the (lower) leg (as a runner): hip, leg, shoulder, thigh
-When you look at the meanings of the words in this passage combined with the
phrase, “pass over the rivers”, it carries with it the idea of lifting up clothing while
wading waters.
-In so doing the person exposes the leg - “nakedness shall be uncovered”.
2. Ex 28:42
-This is in the context of the clothing worn by the priests.
-Notice, they were to wear linen undergarments to “cover their naked flesh”.
-Those undergarments were to “reach from the hips to the thighs”.
-“to” (ESV) “even unto” (KJV) – (Strongs) – “as far as (or long or much)…”
-The Living Bible says “reaching from hips to knees”.
3. Gen 3:7, 10, 21
-When Adam and Eve sinned they realized that they were naked and then tried to“clothe”
themselves with “loincloths” (ESV), “aprons” (KJV).
-Yet, in vs 10, Adam still refers to his condition as“naked.”
-In verse 21, God made them “coats”.
-coats – (Strongs) – kethoneth – to cover; a shirt: coat, garment, robe
-It is akin to katheph – to clothe; the shoulder (proper, i.e. the upper end of the
arm as being the spot where the garments hang)
-This shows that merely covering their bodies in the area of their waste was not
good enough in God’s sight. He also covered their upper bodies.
-Summary and Invitation
-Yes, cultural standards change as time goes by but Biblical standards do not. Clothing that is
accepted culturally may not be acceptable Biblically.
-Biblically speaking, we are to cover ourselves from our shoulders to our knees. This is based upon
God’s standards and is not to be a matter of situational ethics.
-Let’s keep a sense of shame, self-control, modesty and sound judgment in tact!
-Again, it comes down to this: Are we wanting to be pleasing in the sight of God - confirming to His
will - or pleasing in the sight of the world –blending with its standards?
<Return to Sermon Outlines>
