Romans 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
Immodest: lacking humility or decency. Synonyms: improper, indecent, indiscreet, immoral, forward, bold, brazen, unblushing, unchaste, unvirtuous, shameless, loose, cheeky, naughty, saucy.
Immodest Women, whether a Christian or in general, will be judged not only in this life but in the one to come as well. Back when I was in Middle/High School, girls who wore tight clothing, heavy makeup, had big hair and flashy jewelry were called ‘judgmental and degrading slurs’ either to their face or behind their back. Basically, they were ‘looked down upon’ for dressing in such a ‘forward or promiscuous’ manner. Some felt shame and changed their way while others did not seem to care and continued on in this behavior. The payoff it seems was in ‘getting attention,’ albeit the ‘wrong attention,’ but ‘attention nonetheless.’
Humble: having or showing a modest or low estimate of one’s own importance. Synonyms: meek, respectful, submissive, modest, free from vanity, servile.
As Christians, we are to honor God with our bodies and let our adornment be of a meek (humble) and quiet spirit, which is of ‘great price’ in the sight of God. The World tells us to be flashy, showy, and the ‘more skin exposed’ the better (leaving little to the imagination) without any exaggeration! Now, instead of ‘old-fashioned dating’ before starting up a relationship, the youth these days send what is called ‘nudes’ to each other through Snap Chat or other methods; and if they like what they see, then they will ‘hook up.’ So much for liking someone for their personality, mind, sense of humor, or anything of substance!
Whatever happened to the good ol’ days where the young man came to the door with flowers in hand for the young lady and to ‘respectfully meet the parents’ before taking her to a nice dinner and an event or a movie? Apparently, all such ‘respect and formality’ has been ‘thrown out the window’ due to gross immorality, immodest women, cheap sex, and disregard for God’s Word and all authority! The world does not want to do things ‘God’s Way’ anymore and clearly has not for some time now!
Instead of ‘growing and evolving’ as a human race as some would have us to believe, we are actually ‘devolving’ and literally becoming ‘less intelligent’ mentally, emotionally, physically – and more importantly – spiritually with each and every subsequent generation! The enemy has been successful at ‘dumbing us down,’ to put it mildly! This should prompt us to wake up to the enemy and his ‘wiles and schemes’ and to change not only our course in this life but our ‘mindset on this issue’ before it is too late!
1 Timothy 2:9-10 “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.”
When God tells us something in the Bible, it is not to ‘limit or stifle’ us or our fun, but instead it is to ‘protect and help us’ to value who we really are in Him! The World teaches Women to ‘devalue themselves’ by cheapening their worth through exposing and giving themselves away bit by bit and piece by piece until they forget who, what, when, why they are even here or were ever created!
As a Woman, I have had my fair share of Sexual Assault, Sexual Harassment, and being Taken Advantage Of; and I have to say I have come to hate being viewed as a ‘piece of meat’! Growing up, I sometimes wore dresses, even though I never really liked to wear them, and it is even worse now because I have experienced what it feels like to be ‘helpless and vulnerable.’ Another aspect of vulnerability, or in putting one at risk, is when a Christian Woman or any Woman, for that matter, exposes her cleavage. Not only is that the ‘height of immodesty,’ it is manipulative because we know that men are visual beings and that will draw ‘immediate yet sinful’ attention all around!
1 Peter 3:1-4 “Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.”
From rubyintherough.co.uk: 10 Ways Women Dress Immodestly
Some of you might be thinking: ‘What right do men have to share with me what they find immodest. Modesty is between me and God.’ If that’s you, I would ask you to consider what it means to dress with decency as required by the above text. The Greek word for decency means: ‘a sense of shame or honor, modesty, bashfulness, reverence, regard for others, respect.’ Thus, to dress with decency is to dress in a respectful, reverent way with regard for what others think. Modesty is not all about us and our own standards. If most men find our clothing indecent, we should care.
Here is the list they came up with along with their reasoning. They were real and raw in explaining how the male mind is wired. Obviously, the list was subjective. You won’t find a place in the Bible that says ‘Thou shalt not reveal thy cleavage.’ However, I have spoken to a number of men about this list, and they have been in agreement. See what you think. If you disagree, why not ask your brothers in Christ for their opinion…
- Dresses or skirts with lengthy slits
- Dresses, skirts or jeans which tightly cling to the butt
- A skin-tight upper garment
- Unbuttoned blouses, low neck lines or cleavage
- Sleeveless tops with large, gaping arm holes
- Low-rise skirts or jeans
- Skirts and dresses that are just plain too short
- See-through clothing
- Skin-tight trousers or jeans that tightly hug the buttocks, the thighs and the crotch.
- A bare midriff and back
Well, I don’t know about you, but I was certainly challenged by this list! I’m aware some of you may be thinking, ‘It’s not my fault if men lust after me… that is their problem.’ Yes, men are fully, 100% responsible for not lusting after us (Matt 5:28). Yes, some men will lust whatever we wear. However, that does not take away our God-given responsibility to try and dress modestly and decently (1 Tim 2:9-10). I think to love our brothers is to say, ‘If my tight, figure-hugging, see-through, short, cleavage-baring dress with a slit up to my butt could stumble you, however much I love it, I will not wear it.’ Is it really loving or Christ-like to say, ‘I don’t care if my dress is overtly sexy and distracts your mind. That’s your problem…deal with it. It’s my right to wear it?’ Is it really loving to say to our married sisters in Christ, ‘I don’t care if my dress distracts your husband. I am free to parade my body in front of him if I want?’ –Source
On that note, it also really bothers me to find that certain ‘Christian Celebrities’ who name the Name of Christ but at the same time, with their ‘worldly actions,’ they are essentially taking the Lord’s Name in vain. By identifying themselves through certain behaviors such as dressing immodestly and acting provocatively, they are, in essence, saying God’s Word about practicing ‘godly behavior’ does not matter. By their practicing these ‘liberties and influences,’ they are essentially confusing young girls, women, and not to mention new Christians to the Faith! This should not be for those who identify themselves with God’s Name!
From gotquestions.org: What Does it Mean to Take the Lord’s Name in Vain?
If we profess to be Christians but act, think, and speak in a worldly or profane manner, we take His name in vain. When we misrepresent Christ, either intentionally or through ignorance of the Christian faith as proclaimed in Scripture, we take the Lord’s name in vain. When we say we love Him, but do not do what He commands (Luke 6:46), we take His name in vain and are possibly identifying ourselves to be among those to whom Christ will say, “I never knew you. Away from me” in the day of judgment (Matthew 7:21-23).
The name of the Lord is holy, as He is holy. The name of the Lord is a representation of His glory, His majesty, and His supreme deity. We are to esteem and honor His name as we revere and glorify God Himself. To do any less is to take His name in vain. – Source
For example, there are certain celebrities who claim Christianity, but one quick look at their Social Media accounts and you will see photos of them donned in bikinis, swimsuits, short shorts and skirts, among other ‘immodest apparel.’ Did you know that in the Bible ‘exposing your whole thigh’ is equated with ‘uncovering your nakedness’? Let us get real for a moment, shall we? Wearing a bikini is basically like wearing an ‘intimate undergarment’ out in public for all to see, which is ‘unmistakably immodest’!
Isaiah 47:2-3 “Take the millstones, and grind meal: uncover thy locks, make bare the leg, uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers. Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and I will not meet thee as a man.”
Ladies, we need to realize our worth is in Christ and not in our outward appearance! Instead, we are to put on Humility, Compassion, Kindness, Gentleness, Long Suffering, and Patience. To ‘esteem others higher than yourself’ means that we are not to be ‘high minded’ or to think that we are better than anyone else. Godliness is to serve others through Love, Mercy, Grace, and Compassion. This is way easier said than done, and I know that I ‘fail miserably’ at times; but I also know that through Christ we can do all things, even put off our worldliness!
Colossians 3:12 “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering.”
Philippians 2:3 “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”
Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Until next time… Maranatha!
(JESUS = THE WAY, THE TRUTH, & THE LIFE!)
Jesus is Coming!