By C. Dale Garrison
As I read the article, “Immodesty” by brother Abernathy (June 4, #11), I had several thoughts which I must express. I would be greatly amiss in my duty to the Gospel of Christ and my fellow Christians if I were not to voice them. First, I must say, “Amen” to the truth which was taught in the writing of brother Abernathy’s article. Today’s Christian needs to hear the truth of the Word of God taught in this loving, but clear manner. Amen!
All Christians need to study, keep in mind and live by these verses; “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom. 12:2). “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts” (Rom. 13:14). “Come out from among them and be separate, do not touch what is unclean” (2 Cor. 6:17; also read Phil. 2:15; 1 Pet. 2:9-11; 4:3-4).
In short, what these verses are saying is very simple. If we are to live a godly life, all Christians, male and female alike, must live according to the standard which is set by God and not the standard set by the world! We are God’s people and must come out of the world! We are a special people who must live by God’s Word and Will, not man’s fashions or morals. We are not to be like those who are children of Satan! They openly disobey the Word of God, live guided by their own passions and are involved in things which are abominable in His sight. We are not to let the world set our standards for speech, lifestyle, relationships or our dress.
Christian men, both old and young, we need to understand that like the women, we must also wear modest clothing. Some of us seem to be caught up in the double standards of the world when it comes to dress. All too many Christian men see nor think anything about wearing see through shirts or going around with no shirt at all. It seems to be considered to be “ok” for our young men to wear shorts, but it is a sin for the ladies. Men wear tight jeans, yet teach that it is sinful for the ladies. My brothers in Christ, God’s command for modesty applies to us as well as our sisters in Christ. God does not have a double standard for that which is modest, moral or appropriate. Paul writes, “Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge, practice the same things” (Rom. 2:1ff). “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28).
We do not control the world or the people who live according to the doctrine of Satan, but we can teach our children to observe God’s Word. We are to teach our sons and daughters to dress in a godly way. We can teach our young men and our young women to seek to date, befriend, admire and marry those who choose to serve God in not only in Word, but also in dress and manner of life. When as children of God we admire those who are worldly, immodest and immoral, we are condoning their sin. When we choose Satan’s children above the children of God, we are not living by what Paul teaches in Romans 12:9-17. Note verse 10, “we are to prefer one another.”
Brothers, young and old, husbands and singles, we need to show our sisters in Christ that we appreciate their godly dress and modest ways. We must go to those who are living in sin and teach God’s Word. We can not only edify our sisters by preferring them over the women of the world, but we can help them continue in their righteous ways. Men and brethren, each and every one of us plays a big role in what our sisters in Christ, our wives and our daughters choose to wear. Is it not time we Christian men start living by the same Word we use to judge and admonish our sisters in Christ? Are we going to honor the women who live in God’s way and rebuke those who are living by Satan’s way? Or are we going to conform to the double standards of this world? “Choose you this day whom you will serve.”
Guardian of Truth XXXI: 14, p. 420
July 16, 1987