What does the Bible say about Modesty?
 

What does the Bible have to say about modesty, or the principle of covering your body?

Re: What does the Bible say about Modesty?
 

1 Timothy 2:9 thats all I got..Now it is how you define modest thats when it gets tricky...

Re: What does the Bible say about Modesty?
 

The Message interpretation is pretty sobering:

1 Timothy 2:9 (The Message)

8-10 Since prayer is at the bottom of all this, what I want mostly is for men to pray—not shaking angry fists at enemies but raising holy hands to God. And I want women to get in there with the men in humility before God, not primping before a mirror or chasing the latest fashions but doing something beautiful for God and becoming beautiful doing it.

Re: What does the Bible say about Modesty?
 

Wow, that might be the first (and probably the last) time I say amen on a "The Message" passage.

That works pretty good.

Re: What does the Bible say about Modesty?
 

I tried to help yall guys out but o well I got no scripture then...LOL

Re: What does the Bible say about Modesty?
 

Might not be your last.

To me that is EXACTLY what God wants of us and oh, my have we gotten that so wrong!

Re: What does the Bible say about Modesty?
 

I know that the word 'modest' is only in the KJV one time. (It's in other versions more often, but usually referring to character, not dress code). Are there any passages about the principle of modesty?

(it could be argued that I Tim. 2:9 is not exclusively referring to the amount of skin showing, either)

Re: What does the Bible say about Modesty?
 

Yes, it's in Deut 22:5 - right? :toofunny

Our character, actions/works and heart are going to reflect how we look on the outside. That's only a logical given.

Whatever hinders my worship and service, I get rid of it. For instance - and yes Renda, I know it's Texas (lol) - I got rid of my fur coat when I got in church because it hindered me and I felt proud and materialistic wearing it. It is and was my personal choice. I think that is what I Timothy 2 is talking about - "But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works."

Re: What does the Bible say about Modesty?
 

This is why I don't drive my Corvette to church anymore......






















Or wouldn't if I actually had one (correction: WHEN I get one).

Re: What does the Bible say about Modesty?
 

I think I'm going to frame that one! Thank you, this passage was worth logging on for.

Re: What does the Bible say about Modesty?
 

:ursofunny

Re: What does the Bible say about Modesty?
 

do it?

dont wear skinny jeans and see thru blouses?

if you are a man, dont wear blouses at all?


dont eat boogers?

Re: What does the Bible say about Modesty?
 

Lord, we are watching the development of your sons, Ferd! :toofunny

Re: What does the Bible say about Modesty?
 

women: Long jean skirts with tennis shoes and bobby socks. Long hair worn down and a sad look on your face at all times.

Men: suit,preferably pressed, tie with long sleeve white only shirt. No beard or mustache and shoes that has been shined within the last month. Hair should be cut in the crock method ,that's with white sidewalls. Look serious.

Re: What does the Bible say about Modesty?
 

That has to be forbidden in the Bible somewhere!


Seriously, though, one of our foundational principles as a movement is "modesty". What does the Bible have to say about it?

Re: What does the Bible say about Modesty?
 

AQP, all joking aside, this is a great topic and question. I hope it would attract some thoughtful responses.

What does the Word say about showing the skin? What can we find on principle? About our brothers and their eyes? About sensuality? About lasciviousness? Anything specifically in the Levitical laws about covering? We know Jews of antiquity covered up thoroughly (not quite like the Muslim burqas but close). Where did this come from?

Re: What does the Bible say about Modesty?
 

Defined in the NT it simply means - orderly and of good behaviour.

Re: What does the Bible say about Modesty?
 

This is exactly what I'm hoping for. I want to know what the Bible really says.

WeDeclare made clothing one of their lines in the sand. Is there really biblical basis for this? (and this thread is not about WeDeclare, just using that as a recent example) For making clothing a salvational issue? Does the Bible really say much at all about how much skin we can show?

Clothing is a BIG DEAL in Pentecostal circles. It's one of our biggest points of division. And yet it seems that the Bible doesn't make as big a deal out of it as we do. At least from what I've found.

I believe the greatest principle for modest dressing is "Love your neighbor". Dress in a way that is considerate of others. But is there more? What else does the Bible have to say about it?

Re: What does the Bible say about Modesty?
 

Genesis 2:25

Re: What does the Bible say about Modesty?
 

:thumbsup

:ursofunny :ursofunny :ursofunny

Re: What does the Bible say about Modesty?
 

This website's author argues that clothing is always used to identify you, to send a message (and they give some examples). They admit the Scripture spends more time on the heart. But the way we dress communicates things about us.

We avoid cultural relativism, though we must recognize our culture has thresholds of modesty. Anyone work in an office environment with a lot of people? Check your HR handbook for what is not "appropriate." That's not just so you can look like an office employee, but many of them are there to prevent sexual harassment, and so the work environment is comfortable for everyone.

http://isthismodest.com/2009/02/09/w...about-modesty/

This website has similar findings, but goes further and elaborates on what immodesty DOES, instead of what it is. In fact, it says immodesty relates to lust, when it refers to the attire of a harlot. When we realize how much Jesus does not like lust, and how much power we can help one another, it's a game-changer. http://www.bible-infonet.org/bin/fea...ng/modesty.htm

American Standard Version of this scripture 1 Tim 2:9-10:
“Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness.”

Nakedness, as identified even by Adam and Eve after they sinned (and God gave them clothes to cover-up!) is an obvious thing principles of modesty are avoiding. So is nakedness just genitals or does it include other intimate parts of the body? Should clothes present one's body in a sexual and seductive way? Heart check if so.

Good topic here AQP. You got me thinking.

Re: What does the Bible say about Modesty?
 

AQP I think we find the Bible silent on a hard and fast rule, but with the right hearts, we have got to make some conclusions that are applied to fashioned today.

Nakedness should be covered.

That's an over-arching principle for today's modesty.

Re: What does the Bible say about Modesty?
 

I agree.

But, let's say with the long-sleeve, short-sleeve debate. Is there *any* scripture that would indicate that long sleeves are more pleasing to God?

Re: What does the Bible say about Modesty?
 

None. It's all private interpretation, or application I should say. With a good heart, some will see it differently. But the next question would be, at what point is it revealing nudity, or revealing too much?

If the limbs are nudity, are bathing suits appropriate in public and mixed company also?

Sounds like something that tripped even David up (thinking of Bathsheba).

Sleeves... yeah, nothing scriptural for that, but something I do think each individual can call on their own. Look in the mirror. What are you displaying? As a child of God, do you feel comfortable? That's person-to-person.

Re: What does the Bible say about Modesty?
 

I ran across something interesting when I was studying the word "glory".

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Once again, I agree. I just think it's interesting that the Bible really doesn't have a lot to say on the subject, and yet it's one of our main issues.

Re: What does the Bible say about Modesty?
 

See that would make me want to be less ostentatious, and put-together, but less flashy. Not because it's an edict, but understanding that, and wanting to please God.

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Agreed.

It's probably WHY it's one of our main issues... so much gray. So we fight, fight, fight.

And our North American culture is materialistic. Fashion reigns. Skin sells. What you wear has meaning. It's hard to remember that sometimes... "My Kingdom is not of this world" (Jesus).

I wish God would give us something clear, but maybe it's the whole reason he doesn't. He wants us to conform to His image, letting the Holy Ghost mature and work in us, Him producing the fruit and not us simply obeying an edict.

Re: What does the Bible say about Modesty?
 

I thought this was interesting:

How did the Israelites dress in the wilderness?

(be forewarned, this is an ex-UPC site)

Re: What does the Bible say about Modesty?
 

And just in case anyone is wondering, I dress very modestly and have no plans to change that. Ever. :)

Re: What does the Bible say about Modesty?
 

Interesting. They claim Israelite women were bare-breasted sometimes. Obviously wouldn't fly in today's society, and the taboo of it is all the more a sexual delicacy.

Re: What does the Bible say about Modesty?
 

This is why I wonder if modesty is primarily a cultural thing, instead of biblical.

Re: What does the Bible say about Modesty?
 

Modesty or being modest in the greek is kosmios,which means good behaviour,well arranged being decent.So basicly being modest would mean living as a believer should.

Certainly this would include men and women not dressing seductively,or in a provactive manner.
But one could dress in a clean-cut manner and have sin in their heart and life.
Modesty goes beyond external dress.
What a man or women wears could be wrong based on their motive.

What one wears to go fishing in or go jogging in certainly would be different from what one would wear to a funeral or something,wearing modest clothing would have to do with best being dressed for the proper occasion as well as not being seductive.

One can be modest without being homely or being out of style.
Motive should be considered by men and women when determing clothing,and I might add,which department the clothing comes out of does makes a difference,certainly a man would not purchase clothing for himself out of a female deaprtment and vice versa.

Re: What does the Bible say about Modesty?
 

Modesty is a biblical principal,and the culture we live to a degree does influence us ,for example if I resided in a different culture I might wear different apparel,but the principle of not being provactive in my dress would still apply to Christians.

The church's mission is eternal but her culture is diverse.

Re: What does the Bible say about Modesty?
 

See a man or women dressing to entice sexual feelings would be wrong,because if a man looks at a women to lust after her he has commited adultery in his heart,same with women lusting after a man.

Modest as a principle should be taught and upheld.

Re: What does the Bible say about Modesty?
 

Where is modesty a biblical principle? That's what I'm trying to find out. Other than Timothy, where's it mentioned? I'm not denying that it is, I just want to know where in the Bible it is found.

Re: What does the Bible say about Modesty?
 

I think we can take biblical principles, and apply them to how we dress, but is 'covering most skin' a principle found clearly in scripture?

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Hebrews 12:14 would include the principle of modesty.
The word modest in only mentioned in 1 TIM.2:9 but the principle of good behaviour or conduct is found all over the scripture.
Conversation means lifestyle in the KJV,see 1 Peter 1:15 this would include modesty,and verses like this are all over the word.

Re: What does the Bible say about Modesty?
 

But I'm really referring to our Pentecostal definition of the word modesty - our clothing. :)

Re: What does the Bible say about Modesty?
 

I think we can take being covered enough to not dress provactively,but as far as finding a big list of dos and don'ts for clothing,you won't find one in the word.

But we find if we are led by The Holy Spirit we won't fulfill the lusts of the flesh.