CAN MODESTY BE DEFINED?

Some thoughts were provoked in me after recently witnessing a visitor turned away from a prison visit because she was wearing a sleeveless top. By the way, sleeveless tops are not the only forbidden clothing at the prison. The rules also forbid: “revealing shorts, halter tops, see-through garments of any type, low-cut blouses or dresses, spandex or tight-fitting pants or blouses, miniskirts, backless tops, skirts cannot be more than 2 inches above the knee…” Church folk see a list like that and cry: legalism! Or, when someone speaks out in some particular way to encourage modesty of dress, an endless debate ensues about what is too tight, too short, too low, etc.. Interestingly, those in charge of enforcing the rules for prison visitation don’t seem confused at all about such matters.

Why such rules for dress at a prison? It seems the answer is obvious. But, here again, debates ensue over the merit of such rules. Why should women be controlled because men can’t seem to control themselves? Why should women be restricted for the sake of men who are stimulated in some fleshly way by revealing, form-fitting or suggestive clothing? Shouldn’t men bear some responsibility? Should men be absolved from their responsibility to control their eyes and their minds? And so the debate goes on while the heart of the matter is completely lost.

Laws or rules are made because the hearts (the inward desires and motivations) of men and women are naturally corrupt. But when the Spirit of Christ is controlling the heart, rules that originate from the mind of Christ are not burdensome. The heart of a Spirit-filled child of God is ever seeking to conform to the desire of God, not the standards of the world.

The world must police its own, and therefore specific rules are put in place and enforced—no questions asked. The officer who turned the lady away from a prison visit because she had improper attire did not reason with her or ask her if she would conform. He simply turned her away. That’s the law. She was not happy-at all (her verbal and body language said it all)! But, she left to buy a shirt that covered her. She no doubt returned, dressed according to the law, but still with a spirit of immodesty. Her heart was not changed.

Grace changes everything. No, grace does not open the door for us to dress according to whatever standard we please. Grace does not cause us to ignore indecency and shrink from confronting brothers and sisters who may not be sensitive to what their manner of dress is provoking in others, or saying about themselves. Grace teaches us to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world (Titus 2:12). Grace teaches us to love one another, helping one another to see more clearly. Grace changes us from the inside, leading us to be submissive followers of Christ in every area of our lives, including our appearance.  Our spirit and body have been purchased by the high price of Christ’s own blood (1 Cor. 6:19,20). How can we then live and dress in any way except what pleases Him?

I exhort you, in love, be concerned about dressing modestly in a very immodest world. Dress to cover up; not reveal or accentuate. Let your dress say something about who you are, and whose you are—not your own, bought with a price! 

(For a helpful study of this issue I recommend Jeff Pollards booklet: Christian Modesty: The Public Undressing of America, available at chapellibrary.org/files/4313/7643/2903/cmod.pdf.)