Three women face the problem of modesty. All three recognize the teaching
of
I Tim 2:9,
"In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with
shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or
costly array." However, their attitudes toward modest dress differ
considerably.
The first woman takes the "Where do you draw the line?" view. If someone
could draw the line for her (at the knee? ankle? calf?) and prove by the
Bible that it was the line separating modesty from immodesty, she would
abide by it (she says). But, meanwhile, until someone comes up with the
Bible line, she wears what she wants to. If anyone approaches her about her
immodesty, she justifies herself with one question, "Where do you draw the
line?", followed by one observation, "Grandma wore her dress at the ankles,
you know."
The second woman takes the "follow the dress code" view. She has listened
to sermons on modesty, and has established for herself a code of dress by
which she lives religiously: no shorts, no halters, no swimsuits, skirt
below the knee, high neck, etc. She is a good woman and is to be commended
for her conscientiousness, but it has never "dawned" on her that a woman can
dress by her code and still be worldly, suggestive, and immodest in
appearance. She would be shocked to learn that reasonable people consider
her to be immodest at times.
The third woman is concerned about dress, but is more concerned about the
character of which dress is a reflection. Recognizing Bible teaching
concerning purity and chastity, she has become genuinely pure and chaste,
not only in conduct, but in heart and disposition. She is pure "through and
through," "inside out," and her clothing reflects that purity. Decency of
dress is not a mechanical, "follow the dress code" type of thing with her.
It is a natural outgrowth of her modesty from within. While other sisters
in Christ grope with
I Tim 2:9,
and wonder why the Lord would be so restrictive in their dress, she sees
that teaching as being perfectly natural, an obvious supplement to Bible
teaching concerning purity and chastity of heart and life.
Her dress reflects her character in other areas. For instance, she seeks to
be lady-like in heart and demeanor, and this attitude is reflected in her
dress. She remembers the warnings in the scriptures concerning pride, and
has become truly "poor in spirit." This is also reflected in her dress.
Her dress in every way is a true commentary on her character. One glance
reveals that here is a woman who is pure, lady-like, humble, and genuine.
And is this not what
I Tim 2:9
is teaching? The verse says that we are to dress with modesty,
shamefacedness, and sobriety. When we all develop these three qualities in
our hearts, then -- and only then -- will our problems of dress vanish.
.
Other Articles by Bill Hall
Two Men Seek Faith
Self-Control
By Grace Through Faith
... but When?
Good Leadership
Christians With No
Denominational Ties
Two
Men Can't Agree on Religion
Two Men Know They Are Saved
The Church's Purpose
Attitudes Towards the Weak
The Booing Spectators
Two Men Disagree With the Preacher
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