How Can A Christian Determine What
Is Modest And What Is Immodest?

"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" (I Timothy 2:9-10).

Notice these words:

Adorn - "To put in proper order, arrange, garnish, trim. To embellish with honor, gain honor." Clothing which does not cause one to be respected and honored is not appropriate dress,

Modest - "Orderly, decorous, of good behavior, well-arranged, seemly"

Shamefacedness - "Bashfulness, i.e. (towards men), modestly or (towards God) awe; reverence. A sense of shame." It is the ability to blush, show respect and reverence,

Sobriety - "Soundness of mind, sanity, self-control, soberness,"

Becometh - "Appropriately, after a godly sort, worthily. Suitably, in a manner worthy of,"

Godliness - "Devoutness, piety, godliness, reverence toward God."

People (both men and women) who desire heaven, dress in such fashion as to bring themselves honor, not a second look from lustful eyes! To wear scanty clothing such as short skirts or dresses, shorts, low necklines, tight fitting pants or tops or anything that attracts a "second look" is a very serious offense, not only toward God, but toward those around us who we are inviting to sin. Yes, such clothing not only invites sin but commits sin as well. Those who wear immodest apparel are just as much a participant in sin (if not more so) as those who we entice and seduce to sin. We sin in wearing it and they sin when they lust. Jesus said, "But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart" (Matt. 5:28).

No one has the right or freedom to wear what they choose and tell everyone else to keep their eyes to themselves. To do so is to invite disaster, not only in this life (by being molested) but in the judgment which is to come (eternal punishment in hell)!

You cannot flaunt yourself before the public and snuff your nose at God and expect to get to heaven when you die. One is a hypocrite who attends church Sunday morning pretending to be a righteous saint and then heads off to the lake (or any other public place) that afternoon (or any other time) and "exposes" himself/herself to the world's gazeful eye. You are not fooling anyone but yourself. Repent before it is too late (Lk. 13:3, Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30; II Pet. 3:9).

Garland Robinson