Contents

1. Introduction

2. Chapter 1

1. Clothing is for Covering

3. Chapter 2

1. The Mark is being missed in Modesty

4. Chapter 3

1. Nakedness in The House of God

5. Chapter 4

1. Being Properly Covered is Safe in this Sin

6. Chapter 5

1. An Absence of Blushing

Modesty The Missing Factor

Copyright-2013

Hilltop Publications

Timothy S. Luchon

Pastor of Hilltop Baptist Church Hunker, Pennsylvania

B.T, Th.M.

This book is copyrighted only to preserve the author’s right to his own work. Any part of this work may be used without the author’s permission. All that is asked is that proper credit be given, and that no other Bible other than the King James be used in conjunction with this work.

The only Scripture quotations used, copied and believed to be true in the English language, are taken from the 1611 Authorized Version (King James)

Printed by

Hilltop Publications United States of America

First Printing – 2013

Published by Hilltop Publications

280 Stone Church Road

Hunker, Pennsylvania 15639

(724) 925-7100

Introduction

We live in a day when old fashioned standards are considered to be only that which “used to be” practiced by a less “modern age.” In some cases there are those who even scoff at the idea of decency, modesty, and propriety at Church. The disturbing thing about this is that as the world degenerated in these things; it has affected many of God’s people.

We now live in a world where clear lines of distinction are being blurred and with some people, they have already been erased.

The meaning of Church is being “redefined” by a very liberal group of professing believers. I am not using the term “liberal” as a good thing; but to label those who do not stand for proper doctrine, behavioral decency, modesty, and propriety especially concerning The House of God.

Ministries are popping up all over that are tailoring their “worship services” to entertain instead of preaching hard, straight-forward truth that enlightens and convicts when needed They are constructing large buildings before they reach the people to fill those edifices; instead of honestly winning lost souls to Christ and letting God add to a Congregation; until that Church needs to build a bigger place for the church to meet. Many such ministries advertise a “come as you are” mentality that says it’s OK to attend God’s House in immodest clothing.

Many ministries are attempting to draw young people in with a Sunday Morning rock concert instead of introducing those precious souls to The Rock of Ages, who has never changed His music from Godly Christ Honoring “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.” These ecumenical God-absent gatherings are now swaying and jumping to a hybrid of Satan’s music and beat; combined in an unholy marriage of their own newest version of what they think are God’s revised words.

Many churches in their respective towns now resemble, agree with, and teach the philosophy and characteristics of that town; instead of the people in the town being influenced by a Church desiring to be truly Christ-like and Christ-honoring.

Membership in these modern ministries is based on attendance instead of adherence to the Doctrine of Salvation followed by Scriptural Baptism by emersion in deep water. Commitment to New Testament Doctrine of The Faith has been replaced with the world’s doctrines of situational ethics, psychology, and humanism.

If God is to be present at His House, we had better make sure we do our best to keep His House as He desires.

And when He does show up in the services of our kind of churches, we of all people need to be sure that our appearance in His House is not an offense to God.

“The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” Proverbs 15:3

What does The LORD see when He looks at the place where you are now seated; or, as He walks near the aisle of the pew where you and your family sit at church?

Pastor Luchon

Chapter 1

Clothing is for Covering

“Where modesty ends, pornography begins.”

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” Genesis 1:27

The issue of modesty is of much more importance than is first understood by some believers. Because God created a man in His own image, His glory, honour and holiness is attacked when a male crosses the line into the effeminate. On the other hand, when a woman crosses the line into masculinity, this is also an abomination and an insult to the division God placed between the sexes in the creation.

Most of the time, the subject of modesty is applied to the dress and appearance of a female. Men must also be modest as the representatives of God’s creation. But when a woman is dressed or appears as immodest, this seems to be perceived as “a greater evil.”

Most New Testament Baptists seem to equate the subject of modesty to whether or not a woman should wear a pair of pants or dresses.

Has it ever occurred to you that the main reason for a woman not to appear to dress as a male, is because God is A MALE? He is offended when His female creation attempts to be in appearance as a male! His honour is at stake! This is also why an effeminate male is an offense in the eyes of His Holy Male eyes! Both situations mentioned are then truly understood to be an eyesore to God. By the way, in the Bible word abomination is the eyesore!

I believe that if the subject of modesty was understood from God’s viewpoint and perspective, that in public, a male and a female believer would dress to please the eyes of a holy God, and not be so worried about what any other person thinks.

Modesty is defined as: “Properly restrained by a sense of propriety; hence, not froward or bold…not boastful. Not loose or lewd.”

If this definition is applied to the dress style and appearance of a woman, a lady should ask themself, “In what way am I to be modest?” To answer this it would be wise to look at the definition of the opposite of modesty.

Immodesty is what a woman (And a male) must avoid in order to be right “in the sight” of God. It literally means, “Not limited to due bounds.” It is also defined as, “wanting in the reserve or restraint which decency requires…wanting in chastity, unchaste, lewd and impure.”

Modesty in dress standards covers basically two areas. The first is that of the type of clothing. By this I mean does the clothing show extravagance. Is it excessive or extreme? I Timothy 2:9-10 is exactly the same context.

“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; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.” I Timothy 2:9-10

The second area of concern as to modesty is that of not showing the body. A synonym of the word immodest is “to show off.” Clothing was first designed by God to hide nakedness, not to show it! That is the law of the first mention given in Genesis when God covered the nakedness of Adam and Eve.

“Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.” Genesis 3:21

Previous to this Adam and Eve attempted to cloth themselves.

“And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.” Genesis 3:7

They thought that they were sufficiently covered, but God came along and finished covering them to suit His Holy eyes!

God wants our bodies sufficiently covered. We have no right to show off our bodies in public or to anyone else but our spouses. If something is covered, you cannot see what is under the cover. If a cover is too tight, you can easily see what is supposed to be covered!

Think about that word “covered.” God is again concerned with us being “uncovered.” From the use of this word in God’s Book we see that God begins with the covering of the thigh and continues up to the head. In 1 Corinthians 11:5 we read, “But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.” I Corinthians 11:5

The context of this verse must be understood to get the meaning and proper application of these words. Corinth was full of women prostitutes who had shaved their heads. When these women got saved through the ministry of Paul and that Church, they were instructed that it would be better to “cover” their heads until the hair grew back because it was a stumblingblock to others.

“Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.” I Corinthians11:14-15

God gave a woman hair for a covering of her head and neck. It is interesting that one of the outward appearance statements of fashion on homosexual women is short or “butched” hair. That is a dishonor to God for He made the hair as a covering for the woman to show a distinction in His creation between male and female!

“But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.” Mark 10:6

“And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,” Matthew 19:4

We also find that the thigh was not to be uncovered or it was considered nakedness. When The LORD gave instruction for the making of the Priest’s clothing He said in Exodus 28:42

“And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach:” Exodus 28:42

In the Jewish mind this meant to cover the entire thigh or you were considered naked before God’s eyes.

Now let’s apply this in a practical sense. If a woman (or man) is to be properly and sufficiently covered, this real issue is that the clothing must provide a modest cover that does not reveal what is under that cover. If the cover is too tight, the body will be uncovered to the eye. If the clothing is too loose, when the body is bent or moved in certain positions, what is under the cover will also be revealed to the eyes of those around that person.

Two separate issues must be considered in the subject of proper dress and appearance. The first is that of an article of clothing being male or female…masculine or feminine… womanly or manly. The next is whether the clothing is immodest as a covering; or is it a modest covering. If these two things can be presented before the eyes of God without disrespect to any principle of His Word; and worn before men in an appropriate and modest fashion that keeps the body covered, then the issue will be easily settled in the heart of one who seeks to be chaste before the eyes of The #1 Male: The eyes of a Holy God.

Chapter 2

The Mark is being missed in Modesty

“The public display of the physical features of a body has a range that starts at immodesty and degenerates to pornography. Where do you draw the line?”

“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.” Deuteronomy 22:5

“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; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.” I Timothy 2:9-10

We live in a day and time when old-fashioned values are becoming negative things instead of positive. God warned us of these days many times in His Word. In dress standards modest is positive, abomination is the negative.

Have you ever wondered as to the reason why dress standards are such a big deal? Why is it that people get on the defense when Biblical dress standards are brought into a conversation?

Let me suggest the underlying reason for opposition to modest dress: “The goal of Satan to dishonor that which was created in the image of God!” (Man)

Back in the Garden of Eden the LORD formed a man and then a woman. In Genesis 1:27 we are told:

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” Genesis 1:27

Did you notice the wording? Man was first created in His (God’s) own image. The Scripture is abundantly clear on this. Then God made the woman from the man. The woman is not a man. (You may say of course not) But reason this out in the light of the devils goal. Satan knows that God wants a clear distinction between that which He created in His own image and that which was created from the man.

Because of this, Satan wants to break down the distinction between a man and a woman in any way he can.

The extreme of this is the absolute ungodliness and blasphemy of a man or a woman wanting to be a transvestite!

“Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. Romans 1:24-25

The definition of the word modest speaks volumes on this subject:

Having or showing a moderate or humble opinion of one’s own value, attributes, abilities, achievements; unassuming.

Not forward; to be shy or reserved.

Behaving to a standard of what is proper or decorous; decent; …pure; not displaying one’s body.

The definition of the word abomination also has much to say from God’s point of view.

Extreme hatred; detestation.

The object of detestation, a common signification in scripture.

Defilement, pollution

An object of extreme hatred, is called an abomination.

Would you agree that the words “modest” and “abomination” ought to be on every man and woman’s mind in the choosing of what to display on or about their own bodies? Which of these two words best describes your appearance in the eyes of God

Chapter 3

Nakedness in The House of God

“When entering the presence of the eyes of a holy God in His House, I wonder if some ever imagine God to blush, as He is forced to turn His face away from one whom He would prefer to help?”

“And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things… I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” Revelation 3:14, 18-19

“And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach:” Exodus 28:42

Many times I have been asked questions concerning what or what not to wear as a Christian. In our house I have taught my family a balance of Biblical modesty. Modesty in God’s House begins at your house.

Believers of today need to practice proper dress standards at home and in the House of God. The Lord has given His people guidelines as to what is considered modest clothing. Men and women both need to understand God’s standard of modesty, especially in public, in order to choose to obey or not to obey those principles.

In the passage from Exodus 28:42 and in others, God defines His idea of what is to be considered nakedness. Any skin uncovered from the knee up to the shoulders is to be considered nakedness on a man or especially in the case of a woman.

Modern day Christianity seems to have a hard time with this subject. In Ecumenical or Charismatic type Churches there seems to be almost no emphasis on modest dress at church. According to the Church in Revelation, God takes note of what His people wear at His house. I believe He is still appalled at what He has seen in some Churches.

Let’s face it; this world is bent on dress styles that are not modest. It is getting harder for women to find a dress that does not reveal the legs above the knee or the chest and shoulders of a woman.

In Proverbs 7:10 we read about a certain style of dress that no Christian should be seen wearing. “And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.” The attire of a harlot is designed to reveal that which would attract the eye of a man for only the purpose of evil. Yes, a man should not be looking, but why is the woman dressed immodestly in the first place. A woman who dressed this way was marked not only by her clothing, but also by an attitude of rebellion and ungodliness.

If a godly woman could see into the mind of an ungodly man concerning this, she would make sure she is modestly covered so as not to cause men to look.

I do not believe we have to go to the extreme on this as the Old Puritans. But when clothing detracts from the preaching of the Bible or the hearing of it, it is time to put on clothes that cover the distraction.

Church members, our dress standards at Church ought to be modest, godly, non-revealing, no short skirts or tight fitting clothes. In a word: Modest in the sight of the Lord and other Church members.

Chapter 4

Being Properly Covered is Safe in this Sinful World

“A professing Christian should be more concerned with dressing as a godly representation of The Lord Jesus Christ of Heaven, than reflecting the immodest worldly fashions of the god of this world called Satan.”

“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; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.” I Timothy 2:9-10

Just prior to these verses are the words of I Timothy 2:8.

“I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.” I Timothy 2:8

The lesson in our text verses is one that involves both appearance and attitudes. Concerning the outward appearance of a godly woman, God wrote the words, “…modest apparel…” The words “…shamefacedness and sobriety…” teach us about the heart attitude of a woman professing godliness.

These instructions from The God of Heaven, and The Head of His Church are extremely pointed words when applied and compared to the dress standards of the women of this present world. Men also need a good lesson on being appropriate in their appearance and demeanor in public; but these verses are specifically speaking with respect to the women.

Please consider the truth of this, and its implication, not just while in Church, but also the areas of decency and safety. You say: “why safety?”

Unless a person exists with their head buried in the sand, they must see that we live in a world that is becoming a predatory society in the area of sex crimes. I believe part of this is because of this world and its fashions which leave very little room (if any) for modesty. I know it is hard, (but not impossible) to purchase clothing that does not reveal the shape of a female. Even when it comes to young children, those precious little ladies, who will soon grow up, need to be covered modestly, and taught why.

If God’s guidelines for dress standards, as given in the verses above, would be applied and practiced by moms and dads who dress the kids, and by those who are responsible to dress themselves; perhaps some of the related problems, potential tragedies, and moral disasters could be avoided.

As professing Christians, shouldn’t our appearance be above that of this world and its fashions? Why would a woman professing godliness dress in such a way as to draw attention to herself as a woman of the world might do? Why would a mom or dad place a child at serious risk of being a target of some pervert by letting them wear immodest clothing? Consider it.

Did you notice that God also addressed hairstyle and jewelry? God did not make hair that is purple and pink, nor did He intend the ears, face, tongue, etc. to be fleshly pin cushions. Piercing is not fashion; it is a statement of rebellion and a fashioning after paganism. Tattoos have always been the mark of pagans. Why are some professing Christians (especially women) showing off pagan cuttings (as called in the Bible) on their skin… by the way, skin that should be covered if they are trying to be modest and godly?

To do these things only serves to attract the eyes of this world to look in an inappropriate manner…… And some of the eyes that are being attracted, we definitely do not want looking at our children, daughters, teenagers, young woman, and our wives!

It is hard enough for godly eyes to try to avoid looking in the direction of the immodesty of this world; professing Christian ladies, please don’t make it easy for the eyes of ungodliness to be turned your way!

Chapter 5

An Absence of Blushing

Shamefacedness in a modern dictionary: “An archaic word no longer valid for our day and time.”

Shamefacedness in the heart of many “modern day” believers: “An archaic emotion not felt much anymore.”

“I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 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; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.” I Timothy 2:8-10

Please notice the highlighted words: “In like manner also...” in these verses. These words are attached to the previous statement “without wrath and doubting.” The subject here is that of modesty concerning the appearance of women.

Please consider how appropriate this is in our day and time. The world in which we now live seems no doubt to be bent on women (and men) dressing immodestly. I do not believe any faithful Believer in Christ would disagree with that statement. Unsaved people with good morality would also have to agree that immodesty is the basis for the fashion of the day. We used to see signs in public places such as “No bare midriffs,” or “No shirt, no shoes, no service.” Now a day, it seems difficult for even a moral man to not have his eyes drawn toward immodesty in the appearance of women.

The sad thing about this is that many believers are being influenced more and more toward dressing immodestly. There was a day when even unsaved women would wear modest clothes to church. To speak of these issues in many churches is considered “legalism” or that of “being a prude,” or “not changing with the times.” Of all people, faithful Bible Orientated Christians should agree that modesty should not be a subject surrounded by “wrath and doubting.”

Bible Believers must remember that we are in the last days according to the Word of God. The Lord told us these things would come to be. We now live in the Laodician Church Age.

This is the “seventh” period of time taught in the Revelation. (Chapter 3 verses 14-19)

“And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; … that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear…”

Compare this with the word “shamefacedness” in our verses in I Timothy. Shamefacedness would be akin to “blushing” do to feeling the emotion caused by being seen in an immodest fashion by someone who should not see you in that manner.

I wonder how often believers cause God to “blush” because of their appearance in public. If more believers would feel the emotion of old-fashioned “shamefacedness”, perhaps there would be fewer cases of impure thoughts and immorality among God’s people.