by Chris Steele

September 17, 2006

Is it style or indecency? Some are arguing whether they should outlaw a cultural trend of wearing extremely baggy, sagging, and falling off pants that expose ones underwear for the world to see. Maybe some have not grown up. When the kids were small they watched a cartoon about a boy named Doug who sometimes dressed up as a super hero, wearing his underwear on the outside of his pants.

Appropriate attire is always an issue. As our children are growing up we teach them the principles of morality and decency. Even as adults we ask the question, “What should I wear?” There is such a thing as appropriate clothing, which may vary according to different places and events. But regardless of the when and where, the what should always be modest.

In 1 Timothy 2:9-10 Paul uses the word “modest” which means “orderly, well arranged, and decent.” The KJV uses another word “shamefacedness” meaning “a sense of shame or modesty.” It was used regarding the demeanor of women in the church’s assemblies. No one who displays their body so as to excite lust in others has this quality. Then there is the word “moderation” translated “sobriety” in the KJV. Again using Vine’s; it “denotes soundness of mind.”

What Christian, male or female, will not use sound reasoning and take into consideration the affect that one's apparel has on some one else? Christians are not forbidden to follow trends and styles, but only as far as they conform to God’s description of both modesty and moderation. It is a shameful thing to wear such things as to deliberately draw attention to the body. One day when we face Jesus in judgment, could we be blamed for causing someone to lose their soul because of what we wore? Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God...whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matt. 5:8, 28). Bring “...into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5).