A lot of people need a lesson on proper attire in our society today. A much needed lesson for members of the church surely is in order on this vital subject.

1. Modest Apparel. The Bible teaches that we must dress in modest apparel. "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety" (1 Tim. 2:9). A failure to dress properly induces others to sin. Mary Quant, the London fashion designer and mother of the miniskirt said, "Mini-clothes are symbolic of those girls who want to seduce a man . . . and leads to sex. " You mothers with young girls will do them a real favor by teaching them while little to learn to dress in modest apparel. It just may keep your unmarried daughter from being raped or getting pregnant.

2. Shamefacedness. Do you know what shamefacedness is? Do your young people know what it means? It means a "sense of shame, modesty, reverence, the ability to blush" (1 Tim. 2:9). About the only blush one can see today is that which has been rubbed on from a bottle! One of the things which led to the downfall of God's people in the Old Testament was the failure to blush. "Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the Lord" (Jer. 6:15).

3. Sobriety. Have you mothers talked to your girls lately about sobriety? Well just what does this word mean? It indicates "soundness of mind, self-control, good judgment, especially as a feminine virtue, decency. " We are too easily influenced by fashion and custom more than by the word of God when it comes to proper attire. Are your children wearing clothing more like the world or clothing that will help make them more Godlike? Fathers need to also talk to their boys about proper attire.

4. The Modern Swim Suit.- Women on board the hi-jacked pleasure ship Santa Maria left off wearing "enticing clothing of shorts, halters and swim suits" and stayed out of the ship's pool for fear the rebels might have designs on them sexually! This was in the 1960's. If you plan on swimming, you need to pick a place other than where there is mixed swimming. When women dress in such a way as to entice men, don't be surprised when they want to do more than just look! Those who dress in little more than their underwear, in public, will have to accept the blame for what follows.

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 20, p. 613
October 15, 1992