In the world today, the clothing trends are constantly evolving and changing. However, rarely are these so called “styles” and “trends” designed to be worn in a way that glorifies God, reveals the wearer as someone striving to glorify God in their appearance, or even can be considered modest in any form. Modesty is a concept that should be - but unfortunately is not – a familiar descriptive term for the Christian mindset. Although the term “modest” also suggests the idea of dress, this idea has been so diminished in our society that it has been relegated to the position of synonym to humility, as an issue of conduct or speech, rather than dress. Important as modesty is in that form, the biblical perspective of modest dress appears to be equivalent to conduct and speech under the same terms: at least, according to Paul in 1 Tim.2:9-10 “…I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.” In studying Scripture, we can clearly understand the mindset of modesty, how to live in light of that mindset, and the importance of it.
In the Bible Paul states that women are to dress modestly, then proceeds to express what it means to dress modestly: with “decency and propriety”; with good deeds – as indeed anyone who professes to worship God should dress. As Merriam-Webster’s dictionary states, decency is “The quality of being … suitable, or becoming, in words or behavior…proper formality… seemliness; hence, freedom from obscenity or indecorum; modesty… that which is proper or becoming.” With the definition of decency, and some more scripture, the meaning of modesty becomes even clearer. As Peter in 1 Pet.3:3-4 says “Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.” Dressing modestly, or with decency has more to do with the heart than the actual clothing. Someone who does not have a heart after God is not going to dress with the intentions of bringing glory to God. Nevertheless, there are people of a completely atheistic, or pagan lifestyle, in different parts of the world, that dress more “modestly” (is more covered up) than people in other regions who are genuinely following Christ. This is another example of how modesty has less to do with how much you have covered, and more to do with what are your intentions. Someone who is striving to please God will, if they are not already inclined to dress with decency, they will gradually if not quickly become convicted. They will strive to dress in a way that is suitable and becoming of a woman (or man) of God; their clothing free from “obscenity and indecorum”, and rather than dressing with a selfish mindset designed to draw attention to self for personal reason, dressing becomes another way to reveal the desire to glorify and honor God. Refraining from dressing in the obscene and indecent way of the culture – for that is what it is, whatever they say. Dressing becomes about not only what clothes you put on, but the spirit and atmosphere you put on as well – gentleness, quietness – presenting a picture of someone confident in who they are in Christ, and one does not define themselves by how they dress. With the simplicity of the gospel, modesty becomes easy to understand. 2 Cor.11:3 “But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.” It is quite simple. In being purely devoted to Christ, modesty is making the simple choice to dress in way that is neat, attractive, and focuses the attention of others on the characteristics of the Holy Spirit inside, rather than the superficial, attractive form of the human body.
Considering this mindset, how should we dress as Christians? And how do we put on this mindset in view of scripture? The simple way is to follow Rom.12:1 and “…present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” Dressing modestly is a part of our daily living sacrifice, our spiritual service of worship. As we dress, we should consider: is what we are wearing acceptable to God? Is the intentions of our heart pure as we go out into society and present ourselves as followers of Christ? Are we seeking to draw attention to ourselves in the wrong way, for the wrong reasons, or are the sum of our efforts devoted to presenting ourselves in a way that will draw others to Christ? Now this is not to say that, as Christians, we may not dress in a way that is fashionable and stylish. Our dress however, as previously stated, must not be merely external. We may certainly dress in a way that is trendy and in style. In doing this, however, we must understand that a trend is not merely whatever random “style” a celebrity or designer came up with, worn however they wore it. For example; a trending styles for women currently include wearing a cardigan with only one or two buttons closed – and nothing under it, or cropped sweaters paired with miniskirts – skirts that are thigh-length - or even higher. Trends such as these do not have to be worn the way they were presented and could easily be modified: the cardigan and cropped sweaters can be paired with a tank top and proper bottoms, and the miniskirts…well, those don’t need to be worn at all. Other pieces of clothing that were designed to wear under garments are being made the centerpiece of outfits. In biblical times, we learn from research in the Strong’s Concordance, a person wearing their inner garments – garments that were made to wear under clothing – alone were considered naked. Underclothes were not made to be worn as clothes – they were made to be worn under clothes. We must understand that the true definition of trendy is being fashionable, or up to date. Certain clothing styles that are trending – such as the undergarment or mesh outfit fad - do not need to be worn at all. Others may be “modified for viewing audience”. Instead of looking at modesty as rules for what we can not wear, we need to view it instead as guidelines for how to dress becomingly. We have freedom, “For you were called to freedom…only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” We must not use whatever freedom we have to be fashionable in dress to take the attention from the Holy Spirit within us, and we must “take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.” The “weak” may allude to people who look up to you as an example of decency, or others who struggle with how they view the body of the opposite sex. Again, in sticking to the purity and simplicity of scripture, and “[Letting] your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”, our hearts will naturally turn from the obscene to that which is becoming, adorned with the unperishable quality of a humble spirit.
The importance of this mindset of modesty is revealed in even more scripture. It is said of the famous Proverbs 31 woman that “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future.” The mindset of modesty reveals a strength and dignity that is important for any believer. This strength and confidence – that is found in striving to please God – allows us to look to the future with the same confidence, for “faith is not knowing what the future holds, but knowing who holds the future” (Anonymous) Through this mindset, we exercise multiple fruits of the Spirit, from self-control, to faithfulness. We bring glory to God with how we set ourselves apart by dressing decently fashionable and stylish rather than obscenely trendy. Modesty is just another training ground where we develop spiritually and learn constantly. It is important as another tool the Holy Spirit uses to develop us in maturity. And what is important to God in His Word should be just as important to us, if not more.
Modesty, far from being solely centered around humility in conduct only, is also a descriptive term of how we must also dress. Humility in conduct is the add-on; the adornment that is inherent in the believer. To the one focused on the glorification of the Father modesty loses the often-preconceived insinuation of restriction, and becomes another way to bring glory to the Savior and is an statement of the freedom and maturity found in Christ. Modesty is extremely important as it is another opportunity for the Spirit of God to direct us. The Holy Spirit that leads us into all truth will certainly lead us and instruct us in what is becoming of a believer, and what is obscene ' If more followers of Christ walked by the Spirit, the desire that the flesh has to selfishly bring attention to itself would no longer be so indulged. Modesty in dress would go hand in hand with the same in conduct and persona. And living a life of maturity and glorifying God would be reflected in our dress as we enter society as representatives of Christ.
