Did 1st century christian women "stand out"?

[ModestMama]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

Which culture should we follow thought? How do you know it's not broke?

I am just saying that I am not going to following after the "worlds" idea of how I am supposed to dress. You can dress the way you want. Modesty has become less and less of what is should be over the years. I don't intend to keep up with it and allow my modesty to slip.
I am not going to get into a debate with anyone. I am not experience nor seasoned enough to take that on. I just have been having the issue of modesty on my heart the past week. I seen this thread and poured my heart out. And when i said "I don't get it", I sincerely meant it. It saddens my heart to see saints of God wearing things they ought not be wearing.

[Scott Pitta]

I have spent my fair amount of time in Hollywood and Beverly Hills. I cannot envision what it means to dress like they do there. In Beverly Hills, they dress nicer than I do here in the north woods. That is to say they are better dressed. I tend to dress down more often than not.

That aside, Luke ( in Acts ) makes no mention of wardrobe differences between believers and nonbelievers. The big issue back then was circumcision. That standard was all about the guy and not about the ladies.

[Godsdrummer]

Originally Posted by ModestMama

I am just saying that I am not going to following after the "worlds" idea of how I am supposed to dress. You can dress the way you want. Modesty has become less and less of what is should be over the years. I don't intend to keep up with it and allow my modesty to slip.
I am not going to get into a debate with anyone. I am not experience nor seasoned enough to take that on. I just have been having the issue of modesty on my heart the past week. I seen this thread and poured my heart out. And when i said "I don't get it", I sincerely meant it. It saddens my heart to see saints of God wearing things they ought not be wearing.

Modest Mama, I understand where you are coming from. And I don't belittle what you are saying. What I would simply say is that you are looking at things from the wrong perspective. Because man has set that perspective in your mind and you believe it.

And part of that perspective is that it is the women's fault if a man has impure thoughts. AND THAT IS NOT TRUE! Even Jesus said, "if a man looks at a women and lust (or commits adultery in his heart) it is the same as if that man committed the sin, not that the women caused him to commit the sin. This in a time period when robes did cover the whole body. James said, "a man sins when he is drawn by his own lust". Scripture puts it on the man not the women.
What is sad to me is not that there is more cleavage shown in the world or church, but that the church has more men that are rapist in their heart, and feel the need to make women in the church dress down so they won't fall.
These same preachers would have you believe that the only thing on the worlds mind is sex, and that is why they dress the way they do. When the fact is the world thinks of sex a whole lot less then what these preachers would have you believe.
The point is dress the way your heart tells you to dress and leave others alone to dress the way their own heart leads them.

[ModestMama]

Originally Posted by Godsdrummer

Modest Mama, I understand where you are coming from. And I don't belittle what you are saying. What I would simply say is that you are looking at things from the wrong perspective. Because man has set that perspective in your mind and you believe it.

And part of that perspective is that it is the women's fault if a man has impure thoughts. AND THAT IS NOT TRUE! Even Jesus said, "if a man looks at a women and lust (or commits adultery in his heart) it is the same as if that man committed the sin, not that the women caused him to commit the sin. This in a time period when robes did cover the whole body. James said, "a man sins when he is drawn by his own lust". Scripture puts it on the man not the women.
What is sad to me is not that there is more cleavage shown in the world or church, but that the church has more men that are rapist in their heart, and feel the need to make women in the church dress down so they won't fall.
These same preachers would have you believe that the only thing on the worlds mind is sex, and that is why they dress the way they do. When the fact is the world thinks of sex a whole lot less then what these preachers would have you believe.
The point is dress the way your heart tells you to dress and leave others alone to dress the way their own heart leads them.

I don't think is the women's fault, per se, if a man looks with lust in his heart. But I do know there is a enemy in this world who looks for ways to tempt us and steal us. And I do believe that if I were to dress ....lets say for example.. low cut shirt with a mini skirt, or mini shorts, I would be aiding in the devils temptation. Since I know that ALOT of men struggle with lust from looking...esp those who aren't saved or haven't gotten victory over it, then why wouldn't I change my behavior (in the way I dress and carry myself) to remain modest?
I don't think I feel this way because "that's the way I were taught". I've only been saved for 6 years. Before that I was so much into the world..man, I was LOST! I HATED dresses and skirts. I didn't like wearing them at all! I love my jeans. I also struggled with feeling masculine alot and longed to feel feminine to the point where I would cry out and ask if it was a mistake for me to have born a female. ( I wasn't gay/bi or anything of that sort). I thought I had masculine features and really just hated the way i looked. I never once thought i felt that way because of the way I dressed.. But now, I feel so free in my long skirts and dresses. I feel truly modest and feminine. I don't even like wearing pj pants now because i feel masculine in them, so I don't even wear those. My husband like me in skirts and dresses as well. I'm willing to agree that everyone's standards or convictions can be an individual thing and will differ form person to person. I actually find my convictions somewhat stricter than my fellow churchgoers. And it was nothing I was taught, but something I just felt in my spirit was wrong. Also, you say "When the fact is the world thinks of sex a whole lot less then what these preachers would have you believe" , I disagree. Sex is EVERYWHERE. It's found it way in everything it seems. Book, magazines, tv, commericals, Advertisements, music...etc You can't even go to the grocery store without the word "sex" being eye level to our kids. The devil has used (and is using) sexual desire to corrupt people. I also know first hand, that our demeanor or they way we carry ourselves can vary according to what we wear. (At least it does for me). I don't want to draw attention to my body and If i try something on and i feel haughty in it then I won't buy it.

I do agree with "The point is dress the way your heart tells you to dress and leave others alone to dress the way their own heart leads them."

And I also believe that our past experiences and trials can have a great influence on our personal standards.

[good samaritan]

Originally Posted by Godsdrummer

Modest Mama, I understand where you are coming from. And I don't belittle what you are saying. What I would simply say is that you are looking at things from the wrong perspective. Because man has set that perspective in your mind and you believe it.

And part of that perspective is that it is the women's fault if a man has impure thoughts. AND THAT IS NOT TRUE! Even Jesus said, "if a man looks at a women and lust (or commits adultery in his heart) it is the same as if that man committed the sin, not that the women caused him to commit the sin. This in a time period when robes did cover the whole body. James said, "a man sins when he is drawn by his own lust". Scripture puts it on the man not the women.
What is sad to me is not that there is more cleavage shown in the world or church, but that the church has more men that are rapist in their heart, and feel the need to make women in the church dress down so they won't fall.
These same preachers would have you believe that the only thing on the worlds mind is sex, and that is why they dress the way they do. When the fact is the world thinks of sex a whole lot less then what these preachers would have you believe.
The point is dress the way your heart tells you to dress and leave others alone to dress the way their own heart leads them.

I agree in part and disagree in part. I believe men should lead in their homes. Having a daughter myself, it is my responsibility to see to it that she goes out the door looking like a lady. Husbands should lead in their homes and emphasize modesty for their wives and daughters. A woman's desire shall be to her husband. For the most part I have found that wives want to please their husbands.

I do think most of the responsibility is on the man, but women have responsibilities in this area as well. Jezebel was noted to be a temptress. If ladies intentionally dress to seduce the minds of men in order to feed their own ego's they aren't guiltless. It is the responsibility of the ministry placed in the church to preach on modesty and separation from the world.

As for ladies wearing pants, it is still an abomination for a woman to put that which pertain to a man. The question is do pants pertain to a man. I have always understood that pants were specifically for men. I don't judge people who disagree, but I would urge anyone to prayerfully consider before coming to a conclusion. We should prioritize our walk with God.

[good samaritan]

As far as sex being everywhere. It is and for those who can't see it is because they have become numb to it. Our culture has become so accustomed to skin that it doesn't affect. Many ladies have nothing much to share with their husband that hasn't been revealed publicly. Some of the shorts worn come no further than their under garments. Media pushes this stuff to the point people no longer feel bad about it.

50-60 years ago people would feel naked to wear some of the things they wear today. Up until this last century ladies didn't wear pants and would have probably felt wrong to wear the as well. All through history, in civilized culture, pictures have depicted ladies in dresses and men in some type of pants. We are being rocked to sleep and so many don't see it.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by ModestMama

I am just saying that I am not going to following after the "worlds" idea of how I am supposed to dress. You can dress the way you want. Modesty has become less and less of what is should be over the years. I don't intend to keep up with it and allow my modesty to slip.
I am not going to get into a debate with anyone. I am not experience nor seasoned enough to take that on. I just have been having the issue of modesty on my heart the past week. I seen this thread and poured my heart out. And when i said "I don't get it", I sincerely meant it. It saddens my heart to see saints of God wearing things they ought not be wearing.

but whose culture was it that you follow if not the worlds? You indicated what you are following is a culture. Are we following an ancient culture?

Muslims are stuck in ancient Arabic culture with their veils and such

[good samaritan]

Culture is not wrong until it infringes on the laws of God.

[KeptByTheWord]

Modesty is the key principle here that needs to be understood. Modesty is a principle of the heart... and if the heart is not interested in being modest, it doesn't matter what clothing is worn, a woman is able to manage to be seductive if that is her intent and attitude. I've seen far too many women following the general rules, but breaking them in spirit... with their attitude, and with their ways of walking, speaking, and living.

Simply said - a dress covering a woman from head to toe does not guarantee that she is dressed modest. Not at all. If her spirit desires to act seductively, a dress will not cover that seducing spirit up.

So... while I think women should cover up, should cover their body parts in a dignified way... the real issue at the bottom of this discussion is the heart. If the heart does not desire to be modest and holy in spirit and dress... it doesn't matter what piece of clothing is worn.... or not worn... the seducing spirit will overtake it all.

Modesty is truly an issue of the heart.

[rdp]

Originally Posted by ModestMama

I am just saying that I am not going to following after the "worlds" idea of how I am supposed to dress. You can dress the way you want. Modesty has become less and less of what is should be over the years. I don't intend to keep up with it and allow my modesty to slip.
I am not going to get into a debate with anyone. I am not experience nor seasoned enough to take that on. I just have been having the issue of modesty on my heart the past week. I seen this thread and poured my heart out. And when i said "I don't get it", I sincerely meant it. It saddens my heart to see saints of God wearing things they ought not be wearing.

*Trust me, you are absolutely wasting your time with 90% of them on here - and not just on issues of biblical modesty & external propriety .