What The Bible Says
“What The Bible Says - Vol. 1 / No. 14”
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What The Bible Says
Vol. I - No. 14 / December 2, 2018
THE VALUE OF MODESTY
The Bible says, "If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God…." (1 Pet. 4:11). "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men (and women), who suppress (hold down) the truth in unrighteousness” (Rom. 1:18).
Louis L'Amour was a premier novelist. His fascinating stories of the old west have been bestsellers. L'Amour had a vast personal library dealing with American frontier lore, and he was meticulous in producing works that are extremely accurate in terms of the culture of the 1800s.
Some years ago a national magazine published an article by L'Amour which addressed the manner in which women were viewed in the Old West. He observed that almost uniformly they were treated with great respect, even by the roughest of men. He noted that, as a rule, females could travel alone hundreds of miles by stagecoach and feel quite secure, because men regarded them so highly, and were extremely protective of the "fairer" sex.
Those days are gone and have been for quite a while. Nowadays, a woman can hardly walk unescorted down a crowded street without being verbally assaulted or in some fashion sexually harassed. Most men in sizable cities do not want their wives driving alone at night. One recent author believes she knows, at least in part, a cause for this dramatic shift in attitude toward women. She says it involves the "loss of modesty."
Wendy Shalit, a young Jewish writer, is creating a considerable stir in the media with the publication of her new book, A Return to Modesty: Discovering the Lost Virtue. This volume has been hailed by some as a work that will "change society"; others-especially feminists-vehemently denounce it; even suggesting it should be banned.
Ms. Shalit says that her initial exposure to our grossly "immodest" culture commenced when she was in the fourth grade. She was introduced to a "sex education" course (it should be spelled "coarse"), from which her parents presently removed her. She argues that such classes should be "completely abolished" because they erode one's natural sense of modesty. Modesty, she contends, is an innate, psychological barrier which protects youngsters as their personalities are developing.
Later, as a student at Williams College in Massachusetts, Shalit was appalled by coed restrooms and other on-campus, sex-related problems. She wrote a piece about these practices which was eventually published in Reader's Digest.
The thesis of A Return to Modesty is that the so-called "sexual revolution" has robbed society of many of its most valuable virtues; for one thing, a sense of self-worth. She contends that the breakdown of modesty among young girls has led to an exploding level of promiscuity, and that "every single study" of this moral degeneracy has revealed that "low self-esteem is correlated with early intercourse for girls."
Shalit argues that the modern loss of modesty has spawned a host of serious problems that have robbed women of genuine happiness. She cites early feminists who believed that if women abandoned their natural instincts toward modesty, devastating consequences would eventually result.
The author unhesitatingly charges that modern feminists, together with women's magazines, and the so-called "mental health industry," have, in concert, contributed to the numerous difficulties women now are encountering. She cites, for example, feminists like Naomi Wolf, who has suggested that there is a "shadow slut" lurking somewhere in every woman's personality, just waiting to be liberated.
Ms. Shalit contends that modesty is not a disease of which women need to be cured! "It is high time sexual modesty came out of the closet," she writes. "Not only can you not get AIDS from it, not only is it morally right, but . . . modesty is really much more exciting than promiscuity."
My own conviction is this. If women would learn to be women again, instead of trying to emulate the conduct of crude and profane men; if they would learn to speak, dress, and act like ladies again, instead of portraying the image of foul-mouthed, street-corner prostitutes; if they would return to the biblical norm of femininity, whole new vistas would open to them, which they would discover as wonderful, exciting, and fulfilling.
Modern immodesty has not liberated women; rather, it has enslaved them to lifestyles that have only degraded them, and marred the glorious image their Creator intended them to enjoy. All mature women can envision certain fashions they loathe to the point of saying with hyperbole, "I wouldn't be caught dead in that." There is nothing wrong with admiring a certain style (as long as it is not ungodly) and we all have to learn to tolerate others whose taste in fashion differs widely from our own.
However, the truth is, there are a lot of bodies roaming America in various stages of UNDRESS which indicates they are spiritual corpses. In the discerning eyes of faithful Christians (Heb. 5:14), these who shamelessly show their skin are seen for what they really are: spiritually dead and in need of the Gospel to save their souls and instill godly standards of dress.
Every time they venture into public in their short skirts, short shorts, thong swimsuits, skin tight clothes, revealing dresses, low cut blouses, see through fabric, midriff-revealing tops, etc., they are, literally, "caught dead" in them. They are like those whom Jesus described as, "...whited sepulchers, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness" (Matt. 23:27).
When it comes to nakedness, society's definition and God's are not synonymous. Society tells us a woman (or man) with a few inches of fabric barely covering the barest essentials is clothed - especially if he or she is on the beach. God's concept is quite to the contrary.
From the third chapter of Genesis, we notice that after Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, their eyes were opened and they saw they were naked. So, they sewed fig leaves together to make loincloths. Surely this leafy loincloth covered at least as much as today's modern swim-wear. But it is very revealing (pardon the pun) that later, when God came to the garden, they hid. Why? Adam said they hid because they were naked - even though they had on the fig leaves (vs. 10). God seems to concur when, in verse 11, He asked Adam, "Who told you that you were naked?"
Later, God made them both garments ("coats" of animal skins) covering enough so that they were no longer naked. Interestingly, the word for the garments God made Adam and Eve is the same Hebrew word (ketonet) used for the coat of many colors which Jacob made for Joseph (Gen. 37:3). God did not give Eve a mini-skirt.
Later, in giving instructions for what the priests were to wear, God told Moses "And you shall make for them linen trousers to cover their nakedness; they shall reach from the waist to the thighs" (Ex. 28:42). The thigh is everything between the waist and the knee. Thus, for God's priests to expose anything above the knee would be to expose nakedness (and these were all men!). It goes without saying that godly Israelite women were not parading their thighs in public, either.
Isaiah prophesied of Babylon's destruction, describing it as a virgin trying to escape through a river: 1 "Come down and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon; Sit on the ground without a throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans! For you shall no more be called Tender and delicate. 2 Take the millstones and grind meal. Remove your veil, Take off the skirt, Uncover the thigh, Pass through the rivers. 3 Your nakedness shall be uncovered, Yes, your shame will be seen" (Isa. 47:1-3).
In this passage God tells Babylon that her nakedness would be uncovered (v. 3). How? Verse 2 indicates (1) her veil would be removed; (2) her skirt would be removed; and (3) her thighs would be uncovered. Result: her nakedness would be exposed.
There seems to emerge a consistent biblical concept that uncovered legs - at least anything above the knee (i.e. the thigh) - are viewed by God as nakedness. In light of several Bible passages, God expects men and women to be clothed in something that - at a minimum - reaches down to the knees. If someone wants to take issue with that conclusion, let him or her produce the Scripture that teaches you can be modest while revealing your thighs.
Mary Martini, a godly sister in Christ, has compiled several helpful questions to determine what is proper to wear. I highly commend these questions for your consideration.
And remember, concerning any fashion not up to God's standard of decency, let us all say, "I wouldn't be caught dead in that."
The Dress Test for Women Professing Godliness
Look at yourself in a full length mirror - front, back and side. Ask yourself:
Will what I'm wearing bring God glory (1 Cor. 10:31; Ex. 28:40, 43; Isa. 61:3) and portray me as a godly woman (1 Tim. 2:9-10)?
Does what I'm wearing meet or exceed God's standard for being modest (Gen. 3:21; Ex. 20:26; 28:40-43)? Will my clothing help or hurt my influence for Christ (Rom. 13:10; 15:3; Phil. 2:3-4)?
Is it too short? Sit down, cross your legs, reach up, bend over and squat down. At any time, does the garment reveal any of your leg above your knees (Ex. 28:42)? Does it emphasize my sexuality, thus tantalizing, enticing or tempting men to have impure thoughts (Matt. 18:7; Gal. 5:19 - lasciviousness)? Will it encourage a man to lust after me, thus causing him to stumble and sin (Rom. 14:13; 1 Cor. 8:9; Matt. 5:27-28)?
Is the neckline too low? Bend over - what can you see? Sit. Have another female tell you what they can see while looking down at you (men serving the Lord's Supper say this is a problem).
Is it too sheer? Can I see my skin or undergarments through the material (With tops and blouses, is your midriff showing at any time (Gen. 3:21)? Is it too tight? Am I revealing my body form - undergarments exposed - naked in God's eyes - John 21:7)? If sleeveless, are my undergarments visible (John 21:7)? Is it appropriate and respectful (Gen. 41:14; Matt. 22:11-14)?
When I come to worship, would someone think I was going to a picnic or other social activity, or can they tell I'm giving my best in my worship to God (Ex. 20:26)?
Because of how I'm dressed, would someone mistake me for a worldly woman (a harlot - Prov. 7:10; Gen. 38:15)? Is what I'm wearing stating that I'm dressed to be chaste (pure and holy) or chased (by men)?
Remember---God may hold me responsible for wrong reactions if I dress inappropriately (Matt. 5:27-28; 14:1-12).
- - Mary Martini
Loved ones, let us dress properly as spiritual children of God, "that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed" (Rev. 3:18). Let us be in appearance what/who we claim to be, CHRISTIANS ONLY! (Acts 11:26; Jam 2:7; 1 Pet. 4:16; Phil. 3:20-21). “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth, for your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Col. 3:2, 3; Eph. 1:3; see Phil. 4:8, 13).
(Condensed due to length. ERH)
—Sam Matthews
SELF CONTROL
What is the value of self-control? Self-control is that which enables us to hold our tongues when we are tempted to viciously put someone in his place once and for all; or when we know a juicy bit of gossip that would be entertaining to the group and would turn us into the "life of the party"; or when an occasion almost demands that we betray a confidence that must not be betrayed under any circumstances.
Self-control is that which enables us to control our passions when another is provoking us to anger; that keeps the clinched fists in the pockets when the agitator is only half our size; that keeps the lips sealed when another is railing and swearing at us. Self-control is that which enables us to be like our Lord "who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously" (I Peter 2:23).
Self-control is that which enables us to maintain purity of heart and to thrust out evil thoughts before they can take root; that enables us to place the best possible construction on another person's actions when unproven rumors could easily destroy our confidence in him; that helps us to maintain a cheerful disposition when everything around us has turned sour. Self-control is that which enables us to love the unlovable and to hate that which the world loves.
Self-control is that which enables us to rule our appetites; to say "no" when our lusts would lead us to sin or when that which is harmful to our health is placed before us. Self-control is that which enables the smoker to put down his cigarettes and the alcoholic to put down his drink and never return to it. Self-control is that which enables us to rule rather than to be enslaved.
The Bible does not glorify the indifferent and impassive. It is not our goal to be uncaring. To be like Paul, we must be able to have our spirit stirred within us when we are surrounded by evil (Acts 17:16). To be like our Lord, we must sometimes feel anger when surrounded by hypocritical self-righteousness (Mark 3:5); we must even react with occasional outbursts of goodness on occasions, as when the Lord cleansed the temple (John 2:13-17). But, all such outbursts must be tempered with self-control, that in our anger we "do not sin" (Ephesians 4:26).
God does not view our uncontrolled actions with amusement. Our temper tantrums and harsh, unbridled words are soul threatening, a potential bar to the abundant entrance into the Lord’s everlasting kingdom (2 Peter 1:5-11). We must not minimize the danger. We must not surrender to this evil.
What is the value of self-control? It is one of the qualities that enable us to go to heaven. The possessor of it is rich indeed.
—Bill Hall
SENTENCE SERMONS
A sharp tongue does not necessarily indicate keen thinking.
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True wealth is not determined by the size of a man's bank account.
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When compared to the burden of sin, the yoke of Christ is easy and His burden is light.
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It is not what you think, but what God's Word says that will judge you at the last day.
"What The Bible Says” is e-mailed twice a month. If you know of others who might benefit from the articles contained in this bulletin, we would be glad to have you submit their e-mail addresses and we will include them in the next mailing. If you are receiving this bulletin and do not wish to continue to do so, please e-mail us with your desire to be removed from the mailing list and you will be removed promptly. Continue to the bottom of this page for further instructions as to how you may contact us.
--- E.R. Hall, Jr.
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
For The East Albertville Church Of Christ
meeting at
4777 U.S. Highway 431
Albertville, AL 35950
Sunday
Bible Classes …………..….…………… 9:30 AM
Morning Worship ……..…….….……… 10:30 AM
Evening Worship …………………........ 5:00 PM
Wednesday
Bible Classes …………..………........... 7:00 PM
Radio Program
Sunday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 8:30 AM
Monday - Saturday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 11:15 AM
Website: www. eastalbertville.org
