Modest Dress?

Great question. I am glad to hear about this wise older woman who spoke out. I have at times felt like speaking out in the church we were attending. But, I knew it would fall on rocky ground so I never said anything.

I did though try to be an example, myself and all of my girls. Sometimes this rubs off on others. I have seen it happen a few times where some will try to be modest because of the example of others.

 

I think it would be the responsibility of the pastors wife or one of the female church officials, to go to a inappropriately dressed female.
The deacons or other male officials would have the same responsibility to the men.
It can be done in a tasteful, non combative manner.
This would apply to members only. Visitors and/or non-members should be shown by example. It is up to God to speak to them.
Christine

 

BTW, Headcoveredlady, in another thread you stated that you wear some type of head cover, is this for religious reasons? I have never heard of a protestant wearing this covering. When I first saw your name, and still now, I always think of an aumish lady, when I visualize you.
Christine

 

Our church doesn't enforce any dress code and in the summer we are in 'dress down' mode. SOME families will come in summer outfits like bermuda shorts and sandals and others continue to dress as always.

I approached a teen girl recently because she had on a dress but was twisted around talking to someone behind her and you could see right up her dress. She was very embarassed but the pew of college aged boys across the aisle seemed thankful. A number had noticed and were beet red with heads down.

Modest dress to me can be shorts, slacks, dresses, etc. as long as they are decent length. I'd rather see a woman in bermuda shorts and a camp shirt than in a spaghetti strap dress that comes halfway up her thighs!

Diane

 

Dear Christine,
Actually there are many, many born again Christian women who are veiling their heads in accordance with 1 Corinthians 11:1-16. You would be surprised how many women actually do veil their heads who are not Amish or Mennonite. Do a search on yahoogroups and you will find over 40 egroups for Christian women who veil, (I am not recommending all of them), just making a point.

Also, if you do a search online with just the word headcovering I think you will be very surprised to see how many ladies out there are obeying these Scriptures.

1 Corinthians 11:5, "But every woman that prayeth or prophesyeth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven."

1 Corinthians 11:6, "For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn, but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered."

Following these verses literally is difficult in todays feminist culture. But, I have been blessed by the Lord over and over and would be sinning to go about uncovered.

For more study see: http://users.bigpond.net.au/joeflorence/hc.htm

http://www.crossover.ellison.net/HeadcoveringIntro.htm

http://www.charityministries.org/tapeministry/book-veiled.cfm

For free tapes on the headship veilinghttp: //www.charityministries.org/tapeministry/tapelist.cfm?where=set&order=numindex

Order set number 90.

www.headcoverings.com

www.christiancoverings.com

www.wendysmodestdress.com

www.liliesapparel.com

www.prayercoverings.com

http: //www.modestapparelchristianclothinglydiaofpurpledressescustomsewing.com/wedding_veils.htm

 

I've found that modesty is relative. A 90 degree day may call for shorts and a tank top, so long as they are not sloppy. OTOH, shorts and a tank top in December would not be appropriate.

 

Thank you headcovered lady for all those links. I have saved them to my favorite places. Some I already had and some were new to me. I have started covering during my morning prayer time alone, (thanks for the idea). I hope someday with alot of prayer my husband will say it's ok to cover all the time. It's so heavy on my heart!
God bless,
Kristine

 

Kristine,
Praise God that you are beginning to cover in the morning. Have you noticed any blessings yet? I know what you mean about the heaviness of heart about this issue. I felt the same way before I began to cover, and then when I began I felt elated.

 

Johnv, I sure do agree! It was almost 90 when we left VBS today and I cannot imagine not being able to wear shorts and summer tops! Gosh, it's only June! I don't wear the shirts with the tiny straps or strapless but the regular tank tops cover me quite well. I've seen women in dresses with more cleavage showing than any summer clothes I've ever worn. And what's with the tummies showing on almost every girl?? Please, not in church!

Diane

 

Excellent point. Living near Newport Beach, I've seen some respectful bikinis, and some offensive one-pieces. It's not the quantity of fabric on the body, but the quality of respect towards the body.

 

There is a time and place for everything. I don't think summer clothes belong in church. I do wear long short and a full T-shirt around, but never to church.
A few weeks ago in church, It got extremely hot all of a sudden, I had a sleeveless dress on with a matching jacket. I did take off the jacket (because I was sweating), but still felt uncomfortable about the top of my arms hanging out. I normally don't wear sleeveless clothes ever without a jacket.
I am normally the most dressed up person in church, but It's my own conviction. I just could not get away from the guilt, if I wore anything less.
Christine

 

When I was attending the United Pentecostal Church, the majority of the women from the church wore skirts/dresses ALL the time. I wear pants outside of church but do not wear them to church. There were a couple older women who did wear pants to church (and cut their hair) but I never heard any remarks about that. I was basically the only one in my age group who cut their hair and wore makeup, however, the pastor never did "preach" about those standards. If he had, I probably wouldn't have stayed as long as I did. I have always been a conservative dresser, even as a kid, I disliked fads with a passion. I refused to conform to whatever the latest trend was if I thought it would be "out" the next year. However, during my time at the UPC, I started to take notice of how "trashy" some women dress. I see it in the workplace, in the shopping areas, and even at formal events like wedding and funerals. I'm speachless at what I've seen some women wearing. I don't know if the Pentecostal women sort of rubbed off on me or if I'm just getting older, but I do know that I think that many teenagers and young women dress very tacky and very sleazie for a lack of a better word. Seeing these "rolls of fat" hanging out of some slim and not-so-slim girls is very disgusting in my opinion.

 

Modesty to me is clothing that covers the body, so you do not have cleavage, and slits up your skirts, push up bra's, things that make you look like you are attracting attention!!, from either male nor female, and this is to be done at church and in public and at home!!!

Women do not have to wear dressess all the time or never, Paul simply states to dress modestly, he is not saying that you must wear the proper style of suit, or color of dress/pants to a funeral, or a wedding he says dress modestly, if we as christians have more respect for some woman who comes in to church wearing a dress, than for one who comes in wearing pants, we are sinning. James 2:9, Wake up people God does not want our focus on how everyone is dressed, some wear pants some wear dresses, big deal the important issue in life is Jesus, and through Paul the Lord says dress MODESTLY, NOT, ok all women wear dresses and all men wear pants, they didn't even have pants per say back then, there was a definte distinction between men's and womens clothing, but there is today too! and it doesn't mean dress for women and pants for men.

As for the head covering, 1 Cor 11:15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.

 

I agree on modest dress. I only wear dresses and skirts, but it's something I was convicted about, and it's right for me. I don't expect others to follow that nessiceraliy, but I think any person who claims Christ needs to dress modest. It's Bible. 1 Peter 3:2-4
Whose adorning let it not be that outward
adorning of plaiting the hair, and of
wearing of gold, or of putting on of
apparel;
But let it be the hidden man of the heart,
in that which is not corruptible, even the
ornament of a meek and quiet spirit,
which is in the sight of God of great price.
*********
I can not stand to see a girl wearing clothes that look more like a belt. And Sure don't won't to see a man dress like that!
There's a verse somewere in the OT were it speaks of the people having lost thier blush.I think that is like today. So many people, especialy those claiming Christ, have lost their blush.
But a dear pastor friend and his wife came this past Sunday and he preached a message on "What does God see when he looks on You?"
One of his points was on dress. WHat does God see? Is He pleased? Is what you're going to wear going to bring glory and honor to the Lord? When people see you walking somewere are they going to think "Man. There's a real diffrence there!" Or will they see you as part of the world.
I know us IFB's get it rough because we believe in modest dress, but we do have a reason for it. We want to live a seperated life. We don't want to identify with the world.
I've identified with this world before. And I've had people not listen to my wittness because of it. Because I dressed like every other girl at school {I.e,clothes as close to dreaking dress code as you could get}, no one would listen when I spoke of Christ. I was saved, but I didn't look it. You can take that at what you will.
But we should want to bring God glory no matter were we are. And not just in church. We need to live our Christian life daily for the world to see. Why? Because the saying is true. We may be the only Bible someone may ever read.
And I'm not sure what to think about head coverings. I just have very long hair that covers me. One reason being the verse about a womans hair being her glory. Why, if that is so {and all the Bible is true} would a woman cut off her "glory"? And it's not just cultural. We govern our churchs like a NT church, and when Paul wrote to these churches, that was something he said. Now how long is long? Don't really know. That's for you to judge I supose.
~Miss Abby

 

Hello everyone, Amen Abby I totaly agree with your post.
Mimi

 

About two weeks ago, our missionary ministry held a Women's Conference, and this topic came up. In our discussion we came up with the following ideas (Some will sound pretty familiar):

1. Modest dress means dressing in a way that will only make people first think, "Hey! That's a very Godly woman!"

If a person looks at you and first thinks, "Hey! She's really attractive!", then you may need to dress even more plain.

2. Modest dress means that your clothes will cover up the obviously sexual parts (cleavage, breasts, backside, legs, feet, crotch, tummy, arms, lips.). Why? Because men/women see displaying these parts as sexy. You don't want any person seeing you as sexy. They should only look at you and see you as Godly and pious.

3. Modest dress means that your clothes will not exentuate (make obvious) the sexual parts. Tight fitting jeans and shirts are therefore excluded because they exentuate the curves.

4. Modest dress means that you will do your best to dress in a way that does not make people sexualize you. That's hard to do, but we need to use our head in this case. For example, watch out for you thong sandals. Some people have sexual fetishes over bare feet.

5. Modest dress means wearing a modest hairstyle and modest (or no)make-up. They should not attract attention.

Comments? All are welcome.

J5Grand

 

I was pretty much in agreement until I got to this part. I think that's taking it a bit to the extreme, there. Maybe they should wear gloves, too, in case someone with a hand fetish comes along. Or cover their legs and ankles just in case....
The solution there would be to just wear a burqua and veil covering everything but the eyes. But then you could encounter someone who thinks eyes are sexy.
No matter what a woman wears, someone is going to look at her.
I agree with the obvious things, tight jeans, low cut blouses, etc., but don't carry it to extremes.

 

Modest attire should apply to both men and women.
If you dress in a manner that causes someone to lust then you are participating in sin with them. If you are dressing modestly and they still lust, then you are clean from that sin.
With that said I have got to repost a statement Johnv made, that caused me to roll in laughter. Here it is:

"Excellent point. Living near Newport Beach, I've seen some respectful bikinis, and some offensive one-pieces. It's not the quantity of fabric on the body, but the quality of respect towards the body."

This is one of the funiest things i've read since being here. "respectful bikinis" There is no such creature. There is NO DIFFERENCE in wearing a bikini(or exposing one-piece)that walking around in your underwear. NONE NADA NIL. How have we come to this place where all we want to do is strip clothes off. Even the Gaderin Maniac, when he came to his right mind put clothes on. It is not the quality of material, it is the quantity.

 

Jailminister,
I agree with you. Because Isaiah 47;2-3 says the uncovered thigh means nakedness.