This Consideration is about how the modesty of Christians sadly reflects that of the world, and this lack of moral restraint among Christians is a major barrier to revival, and at the same time it undermines social respect for the body of Christ.

We want to look specifically at modesty with clothing, and we begin by asking two questions:
…1. Does the Bible really describe how men and women should dress?
…2. Are followers of Jesus permitted to place those standards of decency on the shelf when it comes to swimming attire?

Note the difference between the bathing suits of the early 1900s and now. This isn’t supposed to be a humorous comparison, as there is nothing amusing about it.

Comparisons between bathing suits from early 1900s and now 

Who defines what is or what isn’t modest? Should we use standards of modesty that were in place during the first century? Why is it that so much skin can be shown today, but in previous generations it was absolutely forbidden?

Terrorism
Isn’t the immediate tendency of people today to place the label “prude” on someone who would call attention to immodest or immoral attire? Or maybe the label of “holier-than-thou” or even “judgmental” is used? The culture is filled with terrorists, and the most powerful weapon a terrorist has in their arsenal is a label–a name–like bigot, homophobe, islamophobe, racist, etc.

These words are very powerful and can easily force people into silence. When people know that these labels can cause one to lose their job, their business, and their money due to lawsuits, they are often quick to make apologies, retract their words, and do all they can to get the accusations against them lifted.

Is that why there is so much toleration of sin in the body of Christ? Is that why there is an excessive exposure of skin, even among Christians—the terror of being labeled?

God Has Already Spoken on the Subject

And I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes. For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do (1 Timothy 2:9-10).

Is the Bible authoritative? Has it been inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16)? Did 1 Timothy 2:9-10 truly come from the mouth of God? If we believe that, then let God speak for Himself. His words are not complex. They are simple. They don’t need advanced theological degrees to interpret them, nor do they require the interjection of philosophical thought or human reasoning to make them understandable. Let God’s words stand alone. 

The Substance of 1 Timothy 2:9-10
► Be modest.
► Wear decent and appropriate clothing.
► Don’t draw attention to yourself.
► It applies to hair styles, jewelry, and clothing.
► It is okay to be attractive through your good works.

These two verses can be understood without volumes of commentary being required. To avoid accusations of legalism, would it be appropriate to ask the question: 

What is the motive behind me wearing this style of clothing, or this type of hair style, or this jewelry?

Though 1 Timothy 2:9-10 specifically mentions women, it applies to men as well. So, both men and women whose hearts are right with God will show love and respect toward others and will not draw attention to their physical bodies.

Tattoos
Would tattoos fall into the category spoken of in 2 Timothy 2:9-10—not to draw attention to yourself? Are tattoos received to glorify God or self (1 Corinthians 10:31)? Were they obtained as an act of defiance to authority, or as an act of rebellion? Or was their purpose to make them accepted by and to fit in with cultural norms of the secular, non-Christian society?

Exhibitionism
Consider the selfies of today and those from yesteryear. Aren’t many selfies today taken with the purpose of drawing attention to one’s physical appearance? Often the pictures taken make a display of the fleshly physique of the male or the fleshly contours of the female. But even if they were fully clothed, aren’t many of these pictures taken for the purpose of displaying one’s exterior beauty and not the attractiveness of the heart?

Examples of some of the first selfies

May God give courage and boldness for ministers to preach the Word, regardless if they are praised or condemned!

Preach the word!…. (2 Timothy 4:2)

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