What does the Bible say about modesty Can I make a confession When I see articles and blog posts about modesty I get a little squeamish as I click on over. I dont know about you, but I often approach the modesty issue with preconceived ideas of what I think people will say and stand for. Sometimes Im surprised by what they say, sometimes I disagree with their position, and sometimes Im saying a silent amen as I read their point of view. KvGpYJfdiQQ/hqdefault.jpg' alt='Modesty Meaning In The Bible' title='Modesty Meaning In The Bible' />In conservative and liberal circles, Christians and non religious alike seem to have some strong views about modesty and the role it plays in femininity and womanhood. And I have my own strong feelings as well. But they may not be quite what youd expect. Ive read countless blog posts this summer admonishing young women to be aware of what they wear, to dress modestly and cover up their body so as not be a temptation to young men. I understand this point of view. What does it mean to dress modestly How can a person determine if heshe is dressing modestly 1 And the Lord spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai, saying, . What does the Bible say about modesty Is is just about dress codes, or is there something deeper. What is biblical modestyI really do. But I cant help but wonder if were doing a disservice to our culture, our churches, and our own moral standards when we limit the modesty dialogue to young men and women. People of all ages, men and women, young and old, are aware of their own bodies, their own sexuality, their own temptations. If we remove the age parameters that somehow have been built around the modesty discussion, I agree that women, no matter their age, should dress appropriately and modestly. DQAl-Qjx' alt='Modesty Meaning In The Bible' title='Modesty Meaning In The Bible' />And while I cannot hold women accountable for the thoughts or actions of men, I do believe that as Christians we are commanded in Scripture to bear one anothers burdens and to be mindful of those around us who may stumble more easily than ourselves. Because of this I personally believe that Christian women must take seriously their responsibility to be mindful of men and other women who wrestle with sexual temptation. That being said, Ive also read many blog posts that arent quite as quick to absolve men usually boys and young men from the need to respect women, regardless of how the women are dressed. These posts bring up an important topic that must be brought up in Christian circles. Every person will be held accountable for their own thoughts and actions, regardless of how they are tempted. I agree with those who posit that the Christian culture has placed  too heavy a burden on women to protect they eyes, and by extent, the mind and heart of men. When we tell our young ladies to cover themselves up, it often results in an unspoken, but highly logical end that men are some how not responsible for how they deal with temptation when they are faced with it. It is the womans fault for tempting the man, she is the guilty one because she dressed provocatively, and thus caused the unsuspecting man to stumble. I cant help but notice that when Jesus said, Anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart, Matthew 5 2. He places absolutely no guilt on the woman, nor does He add an exception that places guilt on the woman if she is dressed inappropriately. Summertime brings up the modesty discussion for many reasons, not the least of which is the millions of people flocking to beaches and swimming pools, with plenty of skin from both sexes being on parade for any and all who wish to watch. Cimatron It 13 Crack on this page. As Ive read articles and posts this summer, I spent a lot of time thinking about what I read, and praying over my own reactions to the posts. And Ive asked myself time and again, What does the Bible say about modestyAs I began to study I realized this one thing that seems to have been forgotten or overlooked in the Christian culture In the Bible, when women are admonished to dress modestly, it is always within the context of her relationship with God, and never within the context of her sexual relationship with a man or men. The only possible exception to this is found in Proverbs 7, which describes the fatal plight of a man who is immature and lacking sense. In verses 1. A woman came to meet him dressed like a prostitute, having a hidden agenda. She is loud and defiant her feet do not stay at home. Proverbs 7 1. Even in these verse we see the womans character and actions clearly outlined, juxtaposed to a description of her dress. It is important to keep in mind that this verse is not an imperative direct statement of command about how to live about how women should or should not dress, it is a story told in the literary genre of wisdom literature. This story, much like the parables that Jesus told, is likely a made up story that illustrates a heart matter of eternal importance. Lets take a look at two of the most popular verses that are used as a call to action for modest apparel, and together maybe we can dig a little deeper. I Timothy 2 9 1. Also, the women are to dress themselves in modest clothing, with decency and good sense, not with elaborate hairstyles, gold, pearls, or expensive apparel, but with good works, as is proper for women who affirm that they worship God. Lets make a few observations about the context of these two verses These words are written to a younger, less experienced pastor, about church life and how a church should function. If you believe in the inspiration of Scripture that is, that every word of Scripture, while penned by the hands of men, is inspired by the Spirit of God and I do, we must submit to the fact that while these words of instruction are not from Jesus, they are from God. The verses that immediately follow are the topic of much debate and discussion, the likes of which far extend the parameters of this blog post. However it is important to note that the the following verses further delineate the importance of a womans character, spirit, and actions. And what exactly does modest clothing mean If we take a look at the original language, Greek, we can discover a beautiful and profound meaning Paul used a form of the Greek word kosmos to describe how a woman should dress. Does that word sound familiar to you Its the same word from which we derive the words cosmos as in the universe and the world and cosmetology as in make up and beauty products. In the Greek language it is literally translated, something ordered or an ordered system. Paul, in writing to Timothy, instructs women to dress in an orderly fashion. Orderly. Having order. Excel Vba File From Hyperlink Icon. When I think of the word modest I personally think about how much skin is covered up by clothes. But thats not at all what Paul is instructingHes telling women to dress with order, in an ordered way that makes sense. And Paul continues to outline the importance of Spirit living, living a life in submission to the Spirit of God, and appropriate actions that come from a quiet and peaceful heart. I Peter 3 3 4. Your beauty should not consist of outward things like elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold ornaments or fine clothes. Instead, it should consist of what is inside the heart with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very valuable in Gods eyes. Lets make a few observations about the context of these two verses Peter writes to Christians living in a hostile, and often persecuting world. In this particular section of his letter he is writing about personal holiness, and how a Christian is to behave. There is a two fold purpose for holy living the first is to please God and honor Him, and the second is to be a witness to an unbelieving world. Vayikra Leviticus Chapter 2. Parshah Behar Tanakh Online Torah. Chapter 2. 51. And the Lord spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai, saying,  on Mount Sinai What special relevance does the subject of Shemittah the release of fields in the seventh year have with Mount SinaiWere not all the commandments stated from Sinai However, this teaches us that just as with Shemittah, its general principles and its finer details were all stated from Sinai, likewise, all of them were stated their general principles together with their finer details from Sinai. This is what is taught in Torath Kohanim 2. And why is Shemittah used as the example to prove this rule, especially since the very fine details are not even specified here Sefer Hazikkaron It appears to me that its explanation is as follows At the plains of Moab, Moses reiterated the majority of the laws of the Torah to the Israelites before their entry into the land of Israel, this reiteration comprising most of the Book of Deuteronomy. Now, since we do not find the laws of Shemittah release of land reiterated on the plains of Moab in Deuteronomy, we learn that its general principles, finer details, and explanations were all stated at Sinai. Scripture states this phrase here to teach us that just as in the case of Shemittah, every statement i. Moses came from Sinai, including their general principles and finer details and that the commandments delineated in Deuteronomy were merely repeated and reviewed on the plains of Moab not originally given there. Speak to the children of Israel and you shall say to them When you come to the land that I am giving you, the land shall rest a Sabbath to the Lord. Sabbath to the Lord For the sake of the Lord, just as is stated of the Sabbath of Creation see Exod. Sabbath day, acclaiming that God Himself rested on the seventh day and thus acclaiming that God is the Supreme Creator of all existence, likewise, man must rest from working the land on the seventh year, for the sake of God, not for the sake of the land, so that it should gain fertility by lying fallow for a year. Sifthei Chachamim Torath Kohanim 2. You may sow your field for six years, and for six years you may prune your vineyard, and gather in its produce,  4. But in the seventh year, the land shall have a complete rest a Sabbath to the Lord you shall not sow your field, nor shall you prune your vineyard. Sifthei Chachamim  nor shall you prune Heb. This refers to the procedure in which they cut off the excessive vine branches and this expression is rendered by Onkelos as, you shall not cut off, and similar to it is as thorns cut down that are burned in fire Isa. You shall not reap the aftergrowth of your harvest, and you shall not pick the grapes you had set aside for yourself, for it shall be a year of rest for the land. This is called.   , You shall not reap to keep it like a regular harvest, but it must be rendered ownerless, and available for everyone to take at will. Beer Basadeh  , the grapes you had set aside for yourself i. Those, you shall not pick, but you may pick from crops declared ownerless. Torath Kohanim 2. And the produce of the Sabbath of the land shall be yours to eat for you, for your male and female slaves, and for your hired worker and resident who live with you,  And the produce of the Sabbath of the land, shall be yours to eat Although I have prohibited the produce of the Shemittah year to you, I did not prohibit you to eat it or to derive benefit from it, only that you should not treat it as if you were its owner. Rather, everyone is deemed equal regarding the use of the Shemittah years produce you, your slaves, and your hired worker and resident. And the produce of the Sabbath of the land. You may eat from what you treated as ownerless, see Sifthei Chachamim, but from that produce which is stored away, you shall not eat. Torath Kohanim 2. Since Scripture says regarding Shemittah, and the poor of your people shall eat it Exod. Shemittah year is prohibited to be eaten by wealthy people. Scripture, therefore, says here, for you, for your male and female slaves, we see that the wealthy owners and the male and female slaves are included here to permit them also to eat of the Shemittah year produce. Torath Kohanim 2. Et Slide Unlock For Symbian. Sefer Hazikkaron  , , , and for your hired worker and resident who live with you Even non Jews. Torath Kohanim 2. Hired worker is one hired by the day. Resident is one hired by the year Bechor Shor. And all of its produce may be eaten also by your domestic animals and by the beasts that are in your land. But if a beast may eat Shemittah produce, how much more so are domestic animals allowed to eat it, since you are obliged to feed them So why does Scripture mention by your domestic animalsThe answer is that Scripture compares the domestic animal to the beast. As long as beasts have a particular food available for them to eat in the field, you may feed your domestic animals from your house. However, once that particular food has been consumed by the beasts in the field, you must remove what you had stored in your house for your domestic animals and make that food freely available to everyone. Torath Kohanim 2. And you shall count for yourself seven sabbatical years, seven years seven times. And the days of these seven sabbatical years shall amount to forty nine years for you.