1 John 2:15-16 – Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world.
Romans 12:2 – And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Definition:
Modesty (shamefacedness) – behavior, manner, or appearance intended to avoid impropriety or indecency.
Provocative – arousing sexual desire or interest, especially deliberately.
These two words are the opposite of each other. When we define both of them we realize how much easier it is to draw a line and then what truly fits within the boundaries of modesty, for both men and women. We see that modesty is not only asked of us in the way we behave but also in our appearance, to avoid what is indecent in clothing. Looking at something provocative is defined as anything that either arouses sexual desire or the interest in it and especially if it is deliberately.
This shows us that any type of clothing for men or women that brings on arousal or desire of sex or lust is not modest clothing. So we must carefully look at clothing and see if it’s modest or not. Not based on the world view of what is modest, but based on what God says is modest. At first, it may be more difficult, since you are not used to it, but eventually, through time it will become easier because you will have self-discipline in your life and you will learn how to crucify the flesh, or in other words, deny oneself. By doing so, you have decided to follow Christ rather than the world.
I would have to say that throughout my life, as well as in the ministry, one of the hardest subjects to speak about is the appearance of a Christian and the way they should be. The reason this is one of the harder subjects is that it goes back to that, “you are judging” critique or that we all see things differently. Our generation has been taught, or in other words have been brainwashed, by social media, movies, and many other sources that we are capable of doing what we want and looking how we want, and that no one has a say in it.
Not only do you have no say but if you do say that it is wrong or inappropriate they say you are judging them, you are not allowed to do so if you are a Christian, or that this is what everyone else is wearing, this is the norm, “why is it wrong?”
This is one of the reasons why, little by little, the devil has deceived men, women, and children to slowly become more and more provocative in their appearance. But since it has moved only a little at a time, a generation at a time, many have either not noticed the change or have become numb to it. Some have become accepted to the changes believing they are ok and just how fashion is changing when it is not so simple.
The verse above in 1 John 2, says that we must not love the world or the things of it, and if we do, the love of the Father is not in us. We must first look at what the world loves in appearance – this includes hairstyles, clothing, jewelry, and many others – and make sure that we do not fall into that category. When we look at a child of God it should be obvious just by looking at him that he does not look like the world, and what he dresses in is not for the lust of the flesh or eyes, or the pride of life, for this is not of the Father but of the world. When we look at a Christian we must see that Christ lives in him or her and what they wear is humble, not provocative, and does not show the world in it.
1 Timothy 2:9-10 – 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; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
1 Peter 3: 3-4 – 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.
Now we see here in these two verses above that both of the verses are speaking towards women, but they can also be applied to men and this is something we must comprehend: modesty is for men as well, not just women. So let us look at what is “revealing” and apply its teaching to our lives.
The verses say that we should not adorn our hair or ourselves with gold and apparel on the outside or with costly arrays. When we look at these two parts of these two verses, we see that in our clothing and appearance we must look humble and have humility in clothing and appearance. We should not be looking for 200 dollar pants or shirts when we can get one that looks the same for around $20-50 instead. There are times that many people would be willing to pay $100 or $200 or even more for a pair of jeans with holes in them, because it is the style. Again styles or fashions are part of the world.
God wants His children to pay attention to where they use their money and to use it wisely. When we spend that much on clothing we are spending money on costly clothing to either fit in, show off, or to simply say that we can afford it too, which is what God is telling us not to do.
We need to look upon what God has called us to do, and that includes how to dress as well.
One Peter 3 states that we should be the hidden man of the heart, that we ornament ourselves with meekness and a quiet spirit which is what God is pleased with. This passage is saying that what we do, say, or even dress must put off a meek and quiet spirit, one that is not looking to show off ourselves, but one that is submitted to our Lord and willing to express God in it.
Romans 8:5 – For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh, but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
Romans 13:14 – But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.
Deuteronomy 22: 5 – The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are an abomination unto the Lord thy God.
The Lord has spoken that women wear women’s clothing and men wear men’s clothing and that we do not wear one another’s clothing – each for what gender they are, male or female.
The two verses above in Romans are very important. They tell us that people that are after the flesh mind the things of the flesh, indicating that we will try to fulfill the flesh’s desire to look good, to wear what will show off our bodies, to make sure our curves are seen. For men, it is to make sure that their muscles are seen or they wear low cut ‘v’ t-shirts to show off their chests. Now we are seeing tight jeans even for men showing curves, including buttocks, and other unwanted or inappropriate views for a child of God to show.
Now, I am not saying that these eyes of flesh do not like to see what is visible, but what we must ask is, ‘is it modest and what does God want from me?’ If it is not modest, then we must deny ourselves no matter what. Just as someone might like clothing on their husband or wife at home but that does not make it appropriate for them to wear it out of the home, in public. What you wear at home, even if you are not married, you must analyze if it is correct and modest outside in the public.
Romans 13 tells us not to make any provision to fulfill the flesh’s desire or lust but that we must put on Christ, telling us to then look at what God wants, and what He has called us to do. Then we will fulfill God’s commands and we will follow the rules that He has given. He is our Lord and Master and not our flesh. If you have called Jesus to come in and become your Lord then you must follow what He has told you to do for Him to stay your Lord and Master.
1 Samuel 16:7 – But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.
Matthew 5:14 – Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Luke 12:34 – For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
This specific verse in 1 Samuel 16, is used many times to point out that we should not judge on appearance, but we must look at the verse in context. Here Samuel was looking at the outside just how the world looks at men. Tall, handsome, costly clothing, and many others features that make up a “good” man, according to the world. But we must look upon the heart for that is what the Lord looks upon. And it does say in 1 Samuel 16:7 that a man looks on the outside appearance to what pleases the flesh’s desire, to fit the appearance of what we like. Many look a certain way to please the world but by doing so they neglect their heart’s true desire for God.
Now on the other hand, I don’t want you to think that because God looks at the heart that the outside doesn’t matter. For God also has called you to be a light and light is visible on the outside. Whatever is in your heart will also be shown on the outside (Luke 12). This verse tells you that where your treasure is that is where your heart is. If you want to appear in a specific way on the outside and you take time and money to express this, that indicates your treasure, raised from the heart. Because of this, you can’t say, “well, it does not matter how I look because God looks at the heart.” Yes, this is true God looks at the heart but your heart will be visible on the outside with actions, vocabulary/language, clothing, emotions, dispositions, attitudes, and appearance and this is also how the light of Christ will be shown through you, based on how you express all of the above.
Proverbs 4:23 – Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Matthew 5:8 – Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
As a child of God, we must keep our heart with diligence to make sure we consistently examine our hearts because from them comes life. If we love God, we will follow His commands. If we have called Jesus Christ to be our Lord, then we must obey what He has spoken and told us to do. If we decide to consistently examine our hearts and keep in silence we will have a pure heart and blessed is the one with a pure heart, for they shall see God.
If you have gotten this far I hope and pray that you will take it to heart and realize that God has called us to a different standard than what this world has called us to be like. I pray that you take your appearance to a different level and understand that God wants more.
We must ask for forgiveness in our lives and repent of our ways and turn to Christ our Lord for His standards.
May God Bless You!