We want to begin a discussion of modesty in clothing for the summer season, but we want to begin in a different place in Scripture than where most discussions concerning modesty begin. If you have your Bible at hand, kindly turn to 2 Kings 20:12-15, and consider what the record reveals. It seems that the King of Babylon had decided to send an envoy of men to Hezekiah. He had heard that Hezekiah was sick and so he sent him letters and a present. Hezekiah received them warmly and it says of him that he "showed them all the house of his treasures--the silver and gold, the spices and precious ointment, and all his armory--all that was found among his treasures" (v. 12). In fact, the verse continues, "There was nothing in his house or in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them".
A prophet of God (Isaiah) was sent to Hezekiah and he asked him about the visitors to his realm. Then, Isaiah asked, "What have they seen in your house?". It was then that Hezekiah revealed that he had shown them everything he had. Isaiah went on to reveal that eventually all that he had shown would be taken away from his realm by Babylon. Now, you might ask, what does that have to do with modesty? I suggest to you that in a similar fashion when a woman displays all her treasures, leaving very little to the imagination, there is a real good possibility that someone will take away what she has. Hezekiah was chastised for revealing so much to those who came from afar, and on occasion it is good for women and men who profess to be Christians to receive some chastisement for their failure to dress modestly or properly. With that as the backdrop, let us consider the wider matter of modest and immodest dress (for men and women). Often men think this is only a female problem, it’s not. All of us need to be concerned about how we dress and how we conduct ourselves.
While talking about the influence of a wife on her husband, Peter wrote: "that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. Do not let your adornment be merely outward--arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel--rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God." (I Peter 3:1-4).
Several terms are found within that short reading that seem worthy of further consideration. One of those terms is "conduct". It has to do with the manner in which we "conduct" ourselves (what we do and how we do it). This concerns not only our attitude and conduct within the home but also in the wider world in which we travel day by day. What is it that is to stand out, or be observed by others when they see us? The answer is not merely the "outward" ("arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel"), but what should be seen is a revealment of the true nature of a woman, that which is manifested by "the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit" (v. 4).
Some have gone to the extreme of suggesting that this passage would forbid "arranging the hair" or "wearing gold". If that is true, than the same prohibition would forbid all wearing of clothes. Such is absurd. Peter is saying that the thing that should stand out about a woman is not what she is wearing, what she had done with her hair, or how much jewelry she is wearing, but the way she conducts herself, showing a concern for God and His will at all times.
According to the inspired writer, others need to be able to "observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear". Chaste conduct is that which is "properly,clean, i.e. (figuratively) innocent, modest, perfect". It comes from a root form that means "sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated).(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Lexicon).
In writing to Timothy, Paul states: "in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works" (1 Timothy 2:9-10; NKJ). The call is for women, but the principle would certainly apply to all (both men and women) because what we wear will either project that we are "professing godliness" or not.
Christians are to adorn themselves in "modest apparel". What that represents we are not told in specific terms, but the next two terms should aid us in our consideration of what fits therein. It is "modest apparel" with "propriety" and "moderation".
"Propriety" comes from a term which means: "bashfulness, i.e. (towards men), modesty or (towards God) awe. The KJV renders the Greek term with these English words: reverence, shamefacedness." (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance). Vine’s Expository Dictionary records: "Shamefastness (KJV, Shamefacedness) "a sense of shame, modesty," is used regarding the demeanor of women in the church, <1 Tim. 2:9>..... "Shamefastness is that modesty which is 'fast' or rooted in the character.." (Davies; Bible English, p. 12).(from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words) (Copyright (C) 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers). The term itself suggests a sense of "bashfulness" (not being forward, not flaunting oneself. The highlighted section above is an interesting thought. Shamefastness is not something which is external, but stems from an internal motivation. In other words, if I am determined to please God and conduct myself in modesty, that disposition of heart will be reflected in what I choose to wear.
Behind the word "moderation" we find a term which means: "soundness of mind, i.e. (literally) sanity or (figuratively) self-control. Rendered by the King James Version with the English words: soberness, sobriety." (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance). According to Vine’s Expository Dictionary the term "moderation" denotes "soundness of mind"....,
Would a young man or woman be considered chaste in a bathing suit? Would a skimpy halter top, bare midriff, high on the thigh shorts, or mini skirt portray the idea of "chaste conduct"? Would a man’s shirt open to the navel, or absent completely, cause someone to think that they are "chaste"? Try this simple test. Before you go out with that "summer" outfit on, stand in front of a mirror and ask yourself what will notice when they first look at me in this outfit, will it be my plunging neckline, my long legs, my......well, you’ve got the idea. The writer wants us to demonstrate by our clothing and our outward appearance that we are moved to serve God and to honor Him. As the warm days of summer draw near, let us determine in advance how we will dress, and what we hope to promote through what we wear. People are watching and drawing conclusions about us.