Biblical Modesty and Summer Fashion

by Ted Clarke,  July 9, 2006

It is true that the weather doesn't have to be hot for people to dress indecently, but it is certainly true that warmer weather is used as an excuse for men and women to parade about nearly naked.  Well, people of the word just do not care about being a temptation or creating lust in the minds of others.  However, Christians are supposed to care about such matters.

As we pray to the Lord to lead us away from temptation (Mt 6:13), we must keep ourselves from being a temptation to others.  It is a commonly understood principle that men are more prone to lust through sight than women are.  Anyone with an ounce of common sense knows that.  Jesus implicitly acknowledged that in Mt 5:28.  See also the Proverbs chapters 5 and 6; Isaiah 3:16-24. The apostle Paul said that the Christian women will "adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works" (1 Tim 2:9-10).  True Christian ladies will not come up with the comments, "Well, its just those men with dirty minds that are tempted.  They shouldn't look! Some men will be tempted no matter what I wear."

Yes, there are some dirty-minded men, but unless you think that the apostle Paul and the Lord Jesus were two such me you shouldn't try to make that argument.   The Lord inspired Paul to write what he did to keep both women and men from sinning.  True also that men shouldn't look, but shame on you for giving them something to look at!  It may also be true that some men will be tempted in their own minds no matter what a woman wears, but the woman will be guiltless only if she is modestly attired! Remember that these warnings were written in a climate much hotter than ours.  Ladies, if you are in the public eye the Lord says to dress modestly.

Men, while it is not as common of a problem, it is true that some women are attracted and tempted to evil thought and acts by viewing the immodestly dressed male.  The same principles of Scripture hold true for us.  Seeking to be "fashionable" can lead to losing one's soul and the souls of others.

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