I read an interesting analogy the other day that I’d like to share with you – imagine that you met someone who still believed that the Earth was flat. You teach them the truth – that the Earth is round. Then you turn around and teach them that the oceans are full of root beer. The point is simple – any credibility you had on the first point is thrown out when you teach the second point.
One of the subjects that I’ve preached on that meets the most resistance (which speaks to me of its great importance) is the issue of modesty. With the fashion trends always moving toward more revealing clothing, it is imperative that preachers speak out on the importance of modest dress. While most New Testament passages that speak on modesty are directed toward women (like 1 Timothy 2:9), it is a two-way street. I would guess that most of these passages are directed toward women because of the way that God made us, with men being more visually driven and women being more emotionally driven. Regardless, both men and women should take care in choosing their clothing to make sure that they don’t entice someone else to sin.
If the issue of modesty is the “round Earth”, then making sure you wear your “Sunday Best” to worship is the “root beer oceans”. I have heard preachers for whom I have great respect talk about how important it is that we “give God our best” (with which I completely agree) and then tie that into the clothing that we wear when we assemble for worship. For instance, I love the Christian Courier and the wonderful articles written by brother Wayne Jackson, but he does much the same in this article:
http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1401-dignity-without-ostentation
The thing is, the Bible actually speaks some on the clothing worn to the assembly:
James 2: 1My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 2For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; 3And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: 4Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
Judging people based upon their clothing is wrong. There are some who don’t have much in the way of “Sunday best” clothing to wear, and when we look down on them for it, we sin. As long as the apparel is modest, we are doing what the Lord has asked of us. Wearing our best clothing to worship is simply a tradition of men. When we start trying to bind that tradition on others (be it the poor or the younger, more casual generation) then we lose our credibility when we try to speak on the importance of modesty.
I heard it said of brother N.B. Hardeman that when he was going to study his Bible he shined his shoes and put on a suit. No doubt that process helped him get his mind in the proper place to study. If putting on your good clothes to worship the Lord helps you focus, or to you it is a way of showing the Lord how important He is to you, that is wonderful. I’m not saying that everyone needs to turn in their suits for t-shirts and blue jeans, but it is important to realize that dressing up for worship is simply a tradition that we cannot bind upon others if we want to retain our credibility. When we’re concerned with what others are wearing to worship (assuming that it is modest) then it is clear that our hearts are not in the right place.
Let me just say this in closing to make sure that I’m not misunderstood – I think that this can also be a two-way street. When I preach, I dress up because I understand that it is what is expected from me from the older generation. I don’t want my clothes (even though they would always be modest) to distract someone. I don’t want some elderly lady to wonder why I couldn’t be bothered to put on a nice shirt since I was going to be proclaiming God’s word. I know what is expected of me (modesty), but I also know that there are others who expect more, and since it doesn’t violate any scriptural principle, I differ to them (see Romans 14). I would encourage the older generations to make sure that they weren’t binding something that God never bound, and I would encourage the younger generation to make sure that they were conscious of, and respectful of, the opinions of their elders.
Let us strive to abide only in that which is written and not bind our opinions and preferences upon those who see things differently. Once the individuals see for themselves that the ocean is full of water, and not root beer, they will never believe that the Earth is round.
7 comments
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August 20, 2009 at 5:34 am
Steve Foltz
Corey,
I think this is a very valid subject for you to consider. I try very hard not to “judge a book by it’s cover”, but some people really create stumbling blocks for people when they don’t consider what they’re wearing and how it may reveal more than they realize. I know some men refuse to serve the bread or the “wine” because they don’t want to have to look down at some women’s exposed cleavage. And I am always uncomfortable with men showing up on Wednesday night in running shorts.
At the same time, I admire you for being considerate of other people’s sensitivities. Are you a crowd or man pleaser? Hardly. You are following the rule of Romans 14 and being considerate of how others perceive you is indicative of you loving your brothers and sisters enough to not knowingly become a stumbling block yourself. God bless you!
August 20, 2009 at 1:52 pm
coreydavis
I know some men refuse to serve the bread or the “wine” because they don’t want to have to look down at some women’s exposed cleavage.
I have heard that this is a problem in many places. Those are exactly the places where they need to hear about modesty! Now, imagine that a sermon is preached on modesty (which is clearly needed) but the preacher just can’t help but interjecting his opinions on why we all need to “dress up” every Sunday – anything he said about modesty (which he could back up with scripture) is thrown out the window when he goes too far and interjects the traditions of men. That is the whole point of the article.
At the same time, I admire you for being considerate of other people’s sensitivities.
As we are to give “preference to one another”, I see it as an incredibly easy method of removing stumbling blocks. A little consideration goes a long way.
August 21, 2009 at 6:49 am
lee
most people that i have met{present company excepted}
who protest the loudest about the modesty of others are the ones
who have the secret sin of lust. “cant serve the bread”
please………..grow up.
lee
August 21, 2009 at 2:41 pm
coreydavis
That may be true, Lee, but sometimes people are willing to go to (what seems to others) extreme measures to avoid the temptations with which they struggle.
I know of a Christian man who was an alcoholic before he became a Christian. Every day when he got off of work, he took a very long way home because the short way took him past a liquor store. That may seem silly to some, but that was the best way he could think of to avoid the temptation.
Now, when we’re going to such lengths that it interferes with our service to God & our fellow man, we may need to “grow up” and come up with with a better way.
August 22, 2009 at 12:14 am
Randy Craiger
Three times my comments are cut on TRUTHS blog, so I’m not going back. You can, and maybe he wont cut yours. I will also talk with Bobby and ask him to not comment, seeing TRUTH inst being fair. And where is Chris KNIGHT??? I purposely capped both Chris and truth, because they might be the same person.
Here is one comment that was cut:
“Amniotic fluid can be clear, pink, brown, or green. It also has an unusual smell that some people compare to Comet cleanser. If the fluid looks yellowish and smells of ammonia, you’re probably experiencing urine leakage. This frequently happens to women toward the end of pregnancy.”
My guess is after seeing this, he may post it…
Also cut a part I included from Jays book, which would have saved others time trying to locate his comments. He did, however, allow the link, so he will say thats enough and leave it to others to locate Jays comment.
10% of womans water breaks prior to birth and its not merely water, and not called water in the bible…least not to my knowledge. Birth is quite messy to be blunt and often nothing like water.
August 22, 2009 at 12:19 am
Randy Craiger
sorry Corey, I should have posted under “off topic”
September 26, 2009 at 4:14 am
Larry Short
My home congregation leadership insisted that everyone serving in the Sunday morning service wear coat and tie. However, Miami is a casual town, and this was againist the tide of fashion. You can go to a very expensive resturant at night and see few coats, and even fewer ties. Honestly it does not fit the climate. Last Sunday morning was 92 and 82% humidity at the start of morning service.
Anyway, one Sunday year’s ago, several people were missing for communion servers, and not one coat and tie replacement could be found in the audience. As this happened more often, the rule changed. I have not noticed any decrease in the quality of the service, actually the variety of people serving has increased.