Purity and Self-Control | The Real Meaning of Decency in 1 Timothy 2:9
Does the way you dress matter to God? Paul seems to think so. In 1 Timothy he wrote: "I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes" (1 Timothy 2:9-10 NIV11).
Yesterday we addressed dressing modestly, but Paul also said two more things. He said we should dress with decency - not trying to draw attention to our bodies by the way we dress.
What Does Dressing With Decency Really Mean?
Derek Wilson preached a message back when I was 14 called Risk it: Modesty in a Reveal-All World. I went and read his notes this week in preparation for this message. Derek writes this:
I read of a family with two daughters aged 13 and 15 - when they go out, the parents conduct a "goal-scoring test".
Do you know what that is? They make the girls lift their arms up like they just scored a goal, to see if their shirts don't ride up too high and their pants are not too low and their underwear is not exposed.
The father said if he didn't, they sort of slouched out of the house pulling all their clothes together._
Again, this comes down to what you value. Some of us value people's attention, or value being noticed for our bodies - and we dress accordingly. We dress in ways that draw attention to the curves, the shapes, the parts.
Paul is saying, value decency. Value yourself enough not to try to draw attention to your body. Value yourself enough to make sure that your body is covered where it needs to be.
Modesty Without Judging Others
Now there might be some of you, at this point, who are feeling very smug, and quite enjoying the thought of judging those who perhaps show more skin than you feel is appropriate.
This is not the point at all. We're not here to scold or condemn anybody. Focus on yourself here, nobody else!
In fact, hear these words from writer Mary Kassian, whose article Does God Care What I Wear really got me thinking on this topic: "The Bible counters both the legalistic and the lax attitude. It challenges us to reject a judgmental, rule-based approach that measures modesty by the hemline rather than the heart. It also challenges us - both men and women - to joyfully embrace the concept of modesty, and to consider it a beautiful (rather than a restrictive) virtue."
Choosing Character Over Attention
Dressing with decency or modesty expresses your value to the world - it says that you value a beautiful heart above a noteworthy body. Appearance matters - don't draw attention to your body, but dress in a way that says "I love my God more than attention from others!"
Consider today if you need to dress more decently, so that when people see you, their attention is not drawn to your body, but to your godly character.
If you need to make a change, repent of your lack of godly decency, and joyfully begin dressing in a way that honours God.
Paul doesn't only call us to modesty, but also to dress with decency - not drawing attention to our bodies. Ask yourself honestly today whether your clothing draws people's eyes to your character, or to your body.