Having already discussed the meaning and importance of modesty in our two previous bulletin articles, a third question, by way of practical application, must be asked: “How do we decide what to wear and what not to wear?” In this regard, there are three tests we can apply to every situation.
The first is the Jesus test. What would Jesus wear? Or, we might ask, “Would this be something we would be comfortable wearing at the time of His return?” Our ambition, according the apostle Paul is “to be pleasing to Him” (2 Cor. 5:9). Who are we first striving to please by the way we dress? Is it the Lord? Or, is it someone else? Remember, “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ” and answer for our conduct, whether good or bad (2 Cor. 5:10). What would Jesus want us to wear?
The second test is the Spirit test. “Will wearing this outfit show that I am walking by the Spirit or that I am walking according to the flesh?” Paul exhorts us, saying, “walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another…” (Gal. 5:16-17). Like everything else in life, the way we dress ought to reflect the Spirit’s direction. Paul goes on to say that “those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit” (vss. 24-25). In listing the works of the flesh, Paul describes them as “evident” (vs. 19). So, these things are not difficult to figure out unless we have been blinded by the god of this world. In this dreadful list, the word most closely connected to immodesty is “sensuality.” “Shameless conduct” is a good translation of the original word. Among those in ancient Judah who were taken into Babylonian Captivity were those who lost their ability to blush or feel appropriate shame (Jer. 6:15; 8:12). If dressing in a certain manner takes “getting used to”, perhaps, there is a reason for it. It may be an expression of our sensual desires.
The final test we should take to decide whether or not a particular piece of clothing is immodest is the eye test. Where does a man’s eyes go when he looks at you? Does he look at your face or are his eyes drawn to other parts of your anatomy? Where does he look when he thinks you are not looking at him? If your clothing suggests something to men that a Christian woman cannot fulfill, it is immodest.
Keep in mind the principle from which we have proceeded in this discussion. Jesus is Lord and, as Lord, He has the right to tell us how to dress. Without Him, we are spiritually unclothed. In Him, we wear a righteousness not our own. One day we will meet Him in glory and, figuratively speaking, will be eternally clothed in spiritual garments that have been washed in the blood of Jesus. Do not allow the way you dress to interfere with proper spiritual attire.