Sep. 12, 2008 - The "Why" Series: Modest Apparel
When I first became a mother, the physical work was difficult but the emotional investment was easy. What’s not to love about a cuddly newborn. As the children grow, the job of motherhood has become a little more difficult. Oh sure, the physical demands are easier because the children have become more self-sufficient, but the questions, the decisions…those are the things that have gotten harder.
It is for this reason that the WHY series was born. I hope to write a series of studies on the ‘whys’ in our life. It is these whys that define our Christian walk in this world and yet are so misunderstood by Christians in general. Things like, why do we wear only dresses? Why are you encouraging and training your daughters to keep a home and discouraging college? Why don’t we attend movie theaters? Why is todays ‘christian’ music not pleasing to the Lord?” “Why live separate from the world?” WHY?
You see, I’ve realized lately that my convictions are not necessarily going to be my children’s convictions. They need to be taught why we believe the things that we do so that they can make wise choices. While they are under our roof, they will have to abide by our rules but what is going to carry them along in those convictions when they leave our home? Besides prayer and a right relationship with the Lord, it will be knowing why our family believes what God says in his Word - and he does indeed have something to say about all of these subjects.
So welcome to my first installment of….
I. Deut. 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] abomination unto the LORD thy God.
I can almost see the eye rolls and hear the sighs when I quote this verse. “Surely, you aren’t going to go there!” Sorry sister, I’m going there. No better place to start than at the beginning.
“The woman shall not wear that which pertained unto a man” Yes, yes, I know, that’s the Old Testament. As if that should excuse us from giving heed to it.
Romans 7:7 says "What shall we say then? [Is] the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: …"
If we didn’t have the law, we would have no knowledge of sin. The law is necessary both for our salvation and our Christian living. God’s Word (the AV 1611 King James Bible) clearly tells us that women who wear those things that pertain to a man are an abomination to God.
That word abomination is a very serious word that means extreme hatred; loathing. God feels very seriously about the way we women dress - it’s nothing to take lightly.
Now I am not about to get into a lengthy study on the various garments of Bible times. As far as I’m concerned, it is irrelevant. The Bible plainly tells us not to dress like men. Have you ever once considered the origin of women wearing pants? How about a little history lesson, shall we?
The introduction of women wearing pants didn’t come about till early in the 20th century. For six thousand years, women wore long, flowing robes or dresses. It wasn’t until women entered the work force that they also donned men’s garments. Ironic that when women decided to rebel against God, step out from under the headship of their fathers or husbands and compete with men in the work force, that they began dressing like men! Sort of a two-for-one rebellion. (an interesting article on the history of dress can be found here.
The word for garment in this verse is ‘simlah’ which means a dress, especially a mantle. According to Easton’s Bible Dictionary, a mantle means a loose flowing robe. I know, I know, you don’t like that, do you? I’m sorry - it’s all there in black and white for you to research yourself if you’d like.
II. I Timothy 2:9 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; 10But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
Oh good, we’re in the New Testament now. I’m sorry sister, it doesn’t get much better for your britches in the NT either. Let’s start by defining a few words. We probably all think that we know what ‘modest’ means but it’s nearly unfathomable just how far we’ve come as a society from the true meaning of that world.
Modest means not forward or bold; not lewd; moderate; not excessive or extreme. After reading the definition, you might just breath a sigh of relief and say “well, my blue jeans certainly make the cut.” Not so fast J Moving on to apparel, which is defined as clothing; vesture; dress. Nice and generic until you dig just a bit deeper. The word for ‘apparel’ in the KJB is katastole which means a letting down…of dress. Last I checked, you didn’t ‘let down’ a pair of pants - you pulled them up. Also in Gill’s commentary on the Bible, he states that “the word rendered apparel signifies a long robe which reaches to the feet. My, how far we’ve come!
III. So what is modest?
We can easily see from the above verses that the wearing of pants and even ‘culottes’ are not considered by the Lord to be modest but you know what, that doesn’t automatically assume that all dresses are modest either. I’ve seen women come to church in dresses that made be blush. So establishing that women should dress like women and not men isn’t enough to cover the subject of modesty. See, there is an interesting verse in the Bible that says:
Proverbs 7:10 And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.
Let’s take a few moments to examine these two phrases. First, the attire of an harlot. She must be wearing something different from the decent women of her day because her clothing defined her. What does a harlot wear? I’m sure that through the years, her clothing has changed but the purpose of those articles have not changed. A harlot:
1. Dresses to draw attention to herself
2. Accentuates parts of her body so that men will lust after her.
3. Dresses to be desired and sought after
If those three things don’t describe how most of our young American women dress these days, I don’t know what does. Mama, what are you thinking allowing your daughters to go about dressed like harlots with their shirts so tight you can see the outline of their undergarments? Pants that hug their backsides? Skirts so short they have to be careful not to bend down. For what purpose do you think they wear these things? To fit in, to be sure but ultimately, it is to get attention from the opposite sex. And attention they will get. Have you ever heard the expression, “If it ain’t for sale, don’t advertise it!” Maybe it’s that their mama’s are setting a sorry example and the daughters are just walking in her footsteps?
Just the other day, I went into the Dollar Tree and saw a mama with her two little Brittany Spears wanna-be's. They were about 5 & 7 years old and they had makeup on so thickly that they looked like they were getting ready to go work a corner somewhere. It was NOT cute. What on God's earth is that mother thinking? What could she possibly think others thought? If for no other reason than all the pedophiles and child abusers in our society, mothers need to get their heads out of the sand. God help our children!
The second thing we see is that a harlot is subtil of heart. Subtil is defined as sly; cunning, insinuating. This tells us that the women who is dressed like a harlot knows exactly why she’s dressed that way! She isn’t fooling anyone.
Modest attire does not draw attention to the female form. It covers that which the Lord calls “naked’. If anything above your knee is showing while standing OR sitting (or working, bending, etc) you are naked in the sight of God. (Ex. 28:42). I came to the conclusion a long time ago that if I had to adjust my clothing in order to sit down or be self-conscious when bending to pray at an altar, then it wasn't something I needed to be wearing.
But in all reality, we don’t need to get out a tape measure because covering your ‘nakedness’ is really just trying to conform to the letter of the law while missing the big picture entirely. Have you ever seen a child who was told not to do something and then proceeds to push the limits just enough so as not to break the rule but see how much he can get away with? That is what the question of skirt length is like. “How much can I get away with?” It’s not a matter of inches but intent . What is in your heart? Do you truly desire to please your Savior?
You can modestly and decently do just about any activity in a dress if it is long and full enough! I have done everything from paint to ride a 4-wheeler and everything in between in a dress. If modesty is really a concern, wear some leggings underneath. The purpose of dressing for our Savior is not to see how much we can get away with.
Other things to consider are, how low is your blouse? Can you bend over in it? Are any of your outer garments too clingy? Can you see the outline of your undergarments? Does your skirt or shirt hug any particular area of your body? Are you dressing to attract attention? Maybe you should examine your motivation.
IV. How’s your heart?
Isaiah 4:1 And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.
Sounds like they wanted their cake and to eat it to!
Let’s take a moment to peak inside your heart. Does reading the Scripture and seeing the truth that it contains upset you? Maybe you should consider why that is. God gives us instructions out of love for us and for our well-being. God wants his daughters to be pure of heart and body, to set an example for a lost and dying world. There are only two reasons why a Christian woman wouldn’t dress right. The first being that she is ignorant of what God expects, but if you’ve read this far, you are no longer ignorant! The second is that she has a heart problem.
Do you realize that if you know what is right to do and you don’t do it, it’s sin?
James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
You are no longer have any excuses. Generally though, the problem is not a lack of knowledge but rather an unwillingness to obey God’s Word. See, doing the right thing can be a sacrifice. God’s Word calls us to be a living sacrifice for Him (Romans 12:1). I don’t think Jesus was very comfortable being nailed to a cross in shame that we might be saved. The very least we can do is live for Him.
V. Renew your mind!
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.
All to often today Christians are more conformed than transformed. They have adopted the world’s mentality of “if it feels good, do it.” May I ask you, since when does the world set the standard for God’s children? The word conform is very telling. It means to be made to resemble, put on the form of. If you go to the mall, the grocery store or a sporting event, what are the masses (the world) wearing? Pants (or shorts). It’s a sea of pants wearing, immodestly clad heathen and Christians want to blend right in with them. Is blending biblical? Of course not. The Bible says we are to be a peculiar people (Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 2:9)
I hope this study has given you something to think about. If nothing else, I want my girls to believe God’s Word - all of it - and I want them to know why they do. In closing, may I ask….
WHY ARE YOU DRESSING LIKE THE PAUPERS OF THE WORLD???
©Karen Owen 2008
Comments
Sep. 12, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Melody (WIth the Fruit of Her Hands)
Karen, this is really good. I love the way you explained it. I've been wearing skirts/dresses for about 7 years now, yet it's still hard to explain sometimes. Thank you for a very thorough explanation! Do you mind if I link to it on my blog?
Melody
http://blog.yorkteachingstudio.com/
Sep. 14, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by journeymomma
Oh amen sister!!!! I have been dresses only for 5 1/2-6 years now, and have yet to find something that I couldn't manage to accomplish in a proper fitting dress or skirt. There is no excuse, modest dressing is not difficult or requiring a drastic change in lifestyle. I look forward to the rest of your series!
Sep. 15, 2008 - Clapping my hands and saying Amen!!!
Posted by That Good Part http://thatgoodpart2.blogspot.com
I'm new here as I just joined the KJV blog roll and I'm making the rounds to those on the list.
You have said it better than I ever could!!!
Thank YOU!
Sep. 17, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by diamondsintherough
OH thank you so much for writing today's entry for me! I linked to you today. Good job!
Sally
PS Re: the top post here, I know the feeling. We turned down a "call" a couple of time (no -- actually it was a mutual NO), but I understand that let-down feeling. You know the saying, "God gives his best to those who leave the choice up to him." He has something better for you AND for the people he will send you to. Hang in there and trust him. :o)
Sep. 17, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Amy
Very interesting. I'm not ready to throw out my pants yet. I'm new to your blog. I've been a Christian now for 8 years and I think the information you post has great value for Christians. However, for people who are not Christians (and probably some that are) I think it may seem very overwhelming. No one can hold themselves to the standards set by Christ. As Christians we try but we will fail because we are human. And we keep on trying and failing. It's great to strive toward modest and to try to be unselfish but I think, especially for new or nonbelievers, it's important to understand and for us to communicate that we strive toward these ideals but none of us can achieve it. Only Christ. And when we falter everyday it is through His grace that we are saved.
Sep. 17, 2008 - Amy
Posted by OldPathsMom
How I wish you'd left your blog address or some other way to contact you! I appreciate your comments and your honesty. Above all, I pray that I might always seek to speak the truth in love and not in judgment.
I think there are a few factors that you have to realize. First, my blog post was never intended for lost people. It was written for my own daughters, in answer to the "why's" that will inevitably come up. See, I grew up in a household that said "Don't you dare embarrass me by having premarital sex or getting pregnant!" but was never lovingly shown why God says to wait or how that outcome would affect my life. I'm just using that as an example, btw.
Second, I hope that a new or baby Christian would have a heart that is earnestly seeking for the truth of God's Word. I pray that God will use the article to reveal His truth. However, if for whatever reason that truth is rejected, that is between the reader and God. Not between me, the reader and God. I have enough in my own walk with the Lord to worry about :-)
I grew up in the NorthEast. I went to 12 years of 'christian' school, was raised in church and NEVER heard anyone teach or preach on biblical separation. So, I do understand how it's completely foreign to some people.
The first time I heard modest dressing explained, I stopped wearing pants/shorts/mini skirts - and I was *religiously lost* at the time! But I struggle with my own besetting sins. I am lazy and no matter how much I read about being slothful, I battle it daily. Do I want people to look down their noses at me for it or would I rather them lovingly try to help me and pray for me? And in the same way, I hope that I can be lovingly encouraging to others to do what is pleasing to the Lord, pray for them when asked and leave the rest to God.
If you do return and read this, I would LOVE to chat with you about your other comment regarding my daughters reading dis/ability. I would really like to hear any suggestions you might have and to further explain some of her issues to you in the hopes you might be able help some.
Thanks again for stopping by!
Edited by OldPathsMom on Sep. 17, 2008 at 3:18 PM
Sep. 18, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by tami
absolutely loved your blog- it's my first time here and i will be back! i totally agree with all you posted.
http;//www.agodlyhomemaker.blogspot.com
Sep. 19, 2008 - A few comments from a father of three daughters...
Posted by Anonymous
My wife visited your blog tonight, and she printed off your article on modesty. As a father of three young daughters, this is very close to my heart and I am extremely concerned about clothing in the world and in the church. I take personal responsibility to watch what my daughters wear. If I won't let them wear it as a teenager, they can't wear it as a toddler.
I appreciate the zeal you show regarding this topic and more women and men serving God need to recognize the real danger of immodest dress.
With that said, I think a few of your points should be reconsidered. You place much emphasis on Deut. 22:5 and how it forbids men and women to dress like the other gender. You knew people would protest applying an OT verse to our lives today; yet, you proceeded to make this a binding commandment for us today. This verse is no longer binding to Christians today. It is part of the Old Law and therefore removed when Christ blotted out "the handwritting of ordinances that was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross." Col. 2:14. The Lord tells us through Paul that if we bind upon ourselves any part of the Old Law, like those who were binding circumcision upon the Gentiles, "he is a debtor to do the whole law." Gal. 5:3. If we use Deut. 22:5 as a commandment today, then we return to an old law and bind ourselves to the entire old law (dress, festivals, sacrifices, clean/unclean food, etc). The Law of Christ is sufficient for us today.
From this point, you take a couple of approaches to demonstrate that women are not to wear pants. Part of this approach is the definition of "apparel" as used in I Timothy 2:9. You quote Gill's commentary as saying "the word rendered apparel signifies a long robe which reaches to the feet."
The second approach you made towards women not wearing pants touched on the history of women's dress. "The introduction of women wearing pants didn't come about till early in the 20th century. For six thousand years, women wore long, flowing robes or dresses."
Both of these points can apply to men, as well. In the times of Christ, and for significant periods of time before and after Christ, a man would commonly wear "a long robe which reaches to the feet." In fact, the wearing of pants for men is also a recent phenomenon in the scope of history.
Here's my point. I believe that we all agree a Christian man can wear pants and be "modest". This is despite the fact that for most of human history men did not wear pants as we know them today. If the dress of men can change from "robe-like" to pants and still be modest, isn't it reasonable that a woman's dress can change from "robe-like" to pants and be modest as well?
Besides these two areas of concern, I wholeheartedly agree with your message. Women, and men, need to be more concerned about their dress and the message they are imparting. We need to dress in a manner which does not attract attention. Our clothes must cover and not reveal. But we must also be cognizant of what the Word of God says and what it does not say.
Jan. 8, 2009 - Ahhh Excuse me...
Posted by Kelly1611KJV
But I am waiting for the rest of these series!!! Where are they?? I'm waiting... LOL
~Kelly~
