Modest Dress?

I see what you mean, wizofoz.

Perhaps that might sound to0 legalistic.

Just a related question or two: what about the women who go into the manicurist on a regular basis to over-ornate their toes? Is that not drawing attention to one's feet in a sensual way?

In Christ ,
Jamal5000

 

I'm one of those dresses-only gals! It's not necessary for my salvation, so I'm not a legalist. When I was a little girl, I wore dresses only because that's what my dad required. As an adult, I have studied the biblical reasons and have come to the conclusion that I need to remain dresses-only. That doesn't mean that I run around telling other ladies how indecent and ungodly they are or how spiritual I am. My clothes don't make me spiritual; my inner walk with God does. I don't think about how others dress and how I can be in their faces about it every morning when I get dressed. If someone asks me about it, I have biblical reasons for my conviction, but I'm not the dress police.

I do my best to stay in reasonable fashion and not look dowdy. I think dowdiness draws attention sometimes just as much as immodesty does. One of the definitions of modesty is not drawing undue attention; I think it's important to keep that in mind just as much as the fit and covering of clothing.

Our pastor believes and preaches that ladies and men should wear modest clothes. He preached a sermon once entitled "Biblical Principles of Christian Dress" in which he gave the following 5 principles (he often gives us principles to follow because not everything is spelled out in Scripture word-for-word, e.g. smoking):

1. Modesty - I Tim. 2:9 Does it cover my body? Does it accentuate one part of my body to draw attention to it?

2. Not worldly - I John 2:15 - is this a fad or fashion of the world?

3. Difference - Deut. 22:5 - Can you tell that I am male/female by how I'm dressed?

4. Unoffensive - Rom. 14:7-8, 12-13; I Cor. 10:23, 8:13 - Does this offend my brother or sister in Christ? Will it cause them to stumble in their walk with the Lord or in their thought life? (My personal note here: in the case mentioned above about the foot fetish - I can't be responsible for what someone thinks about my feet if they happen to see them, but I can make sure that my body is covered and that my clothes aren't provocative)

5. Glorifies God - I cor. 10:31 - Does what I'm wearing give glory to God? Or does it say, "Look at me?"


Susan

 

Jamal,
I think those are some good guidelines that you came up with. For me personally if it does not match with the fact that I want all the glory to go to God I don't wear it.

 

Would you mind explaining what a "respectful bikini" is?? I'm having a really hard time imagining that!

Susan

 

That's a good question. And I thought about this: Why would a woman paint her toenails then hide them in her shoes?
But, let's just let that rabbit run loose for a while...
I personally don't like painted toenails (no, I haven't painted mine).
But, yes, I think it could be done to draw attention to one's feet. In a sensual way? I think that might be up to the beholder. If she gets some kind of thrill out of people gawking at her feet, something's wrong. Some women do it I think to draw attention not just to her feet, but as an addition to whatever else she has on at the time. Kinda like looking at the total package, instead of just from the head to the hips.
Should it be done? Can't say for sure. What is her intention? It's not for me to judge. It's between her and God.
Alas, I ramble.......

 

Personally, I go with #4 - although I think we have to, at some point, recognize that some people will sexualize anything and not bother ourselves with that. I've had men comment on my shoes before when there was nothing special or remotely sexual about them - in fact, I'm wearing a pair now that one man has commented on more than once. They're black, lug soled and clunky, with a silver buckle on the side - hardly the kind of shoes most people sould consider sensual. To make it even more amusing, when I'm not wearing them, he doesn't say anything to me. Makes me wonder if he could even recognize my face. My point is, there's just no telling.

As for getting pedicures, I do it. It feels nice and makes my feet look nice. If I wear sandals or other open toed shoes, the painted toenails show, if I don't, they don't. It looks funky to me to have on a nice outfit and nice shoes and then ruin it by having unkempt feet. I include unpolished toenails in that. It just doesn't fit the whole picture. My feet look more feminine with the nails painted.

As for covering them up, well, when I'm barefoot at home, I like the look of them. There's no sin in that. I also wear nice lingerie that no one gets to see. What's your point?

 

I paint my toenails because I have really ugly toes. I'm not trying to bring attention to them,I'm trying to keep people from saying "look at those ugly toes!"

I have a problem with tight jeans at church.We have some teen girls who wear them & I can't stand it.Sometimes it's the hiphuggers & they'll wear the shirts that come just to the top of the jeans.Then when they sit down,eveyone behind them can see their back side.

I have a real burden about this,but don't know how to approach it.It seems to me that the parents would know better.I don't see anything wrong with slacks or capris or anything loose & tasteful.But the tight jeans or shorts during a worship service I don't agree with.

 

If I remember correctly from some reading I did on Genesis 32, the "thigh" was a common Hebrew euphemism for genitalia.

Joshua

 

Nothing, really, just one of those rhetorical questions that come to mind once in a while. Sort of like: Why is "abbreviation" such a long word?

 

If I remember correctly from some reading I did on Genesis 32, the "thigh" was a common Hebrew euphemism for genitalia.

Joshua </font>[/QUOTE]That's what happens when you take scripture too literally. You forget that words had different meanings back then.

 

...or why isn't the the letter "p" pronounced in the word pnuemonia.

 

That's what I figured, wizofoz. Just giving an answer.

 

Rev. Joshua, Here is what Strong's says about the thigh:

Strong's Number: 3409
Transliterated: yarek
Phonetic: yaw-rake'

Text: from an unused root meaning to be soft; the thigh (from its fleshy softness); by euphem. the generative parts; figuratively, a shank, flank, side: -X body, loins, shaft, side, thigh.

So we see it could mean as you say, but also the side or flank of the leg as well.

Just curious, though, Do you endorse the taking off of clothes in public? By that I mean taking off as much as possible.

 

Frankly, I thinks Christians should be as attractive as they can be for Christ's sake. There is plenty in the Song of Solomon about this,,,,or is that a forgotten book of the Bible?

Cheers,

Jim

 

Jim, How far do you suggest to go to be attractive. Besides God looks past the outside and looks on the inside. There is where the real beauty lies.

 

Our flesh should be covered so not to tempt another person. Flesh that is okay for exposure:

Head - from the neck up(some people )
Arms - shoulder to finger tip
legs - from the knees down(women only)

Dress as if you are going to see "The King" and not the joker.

 

You mean us men can't wear shorts? Not that some of us would, mind you....

 

Many parts of the SoS are specifically talking about physical beauty.

 

It is time to cleanse your own mind, and keep it out of the gutters, rather than put the onus on the other person. And this in no way give licence to demonstrate nude down the avenues. I think there are extremes in both diretions, but I must answer to God for how I think.

Cheers,

Jim

 

Yes Jim You are right that you will have to answer to God for what you do. That is not an attack, because I will have to answer to God for I do, also.

Now that that is said You comment about being in the gutters in our mind, is not the point. The point is in obedience to God, for he knows best for us. He said to cover up and dress modest, then that should be good enough.
When Jesus comes back he will be wearing a robe of white, not a pair of shorts and a tank top.

Wiz, some of us don't wear shorts in public, nor do we swim in mix company. That is not to say that I never did, but when I learned better, I tried to do better.