Say No to indecent Dressing

What is indecent dressing? 

Indecent dressing can be described as worn clothing that is either too tight, too loose, too short, too skimpy or revealing. For example, the men/boys wear oversized shirts and trousers which they allow to hang loosely on their buttocks or thighs popularly known as sagging while the girls wear skimpy clothes which reveal their breasts, legs up to their buttocks, waist down to buttocks, bum shorts, low necklines, slits above the knee, bra-less clothing, exposed midriff, see-through clothing, etc, to the point of obscenity.

What do we mean when we say something is obscene? 

It means something that is;

1)                 offensive to accepted standards of decency or modesty

2)                 incites lustful feelings; lewd (is preoccupied with sex and sexual desire)

3)                 repulsive

4)                 disgusting

5)                 wickedness

To stem this misfortune, the authorities of many higher institutions and corporate organizations have introduced dress codes for their members/students/workers.

Why do people dress indecently?

1)                 Fashion

2)                 Peer pressure

3)                 Media hype

4)                 Ignorance

5)                 Low self-esteem

What are those things you take into consideration when dressing to go out? It is a natural question for one to ask, “What shall I wear?” as one prepares to go out of the home for everyday pursuits. But beyond style or fashion, the Christian considers other more important issues such as;

1)                 Is it modest?

2)                 Is it decent?

3)                 Does it profess godliness?

Why should we ask ourselves all these questions? Because as Christians, the Bible provides us the basic principles and concepts that can help us discern between good and evil. The world may have a different notion about what is right and proper for our attire but we will do what the word of God says. God does not have a double standard for men different from women. What is decent and fitting for a man is also decent and fitting for a woman. However, we will find that most of the Scripture on the subject of indecent dressing usually refer to the woman, just as lust is always attributed to men. There is probably a good reason for this. Men, by nature, are typically more visually stimulated than women. This is one reason pornography is more ensnaring to men than the women. The inspired writers, knowing this, may well be pleading with women to help neutralize with tendency by dressing in a wholesome manner.

What does the Bible say about indecent dressing? 

The Bible teaches that the proper attire of a Christian goes beyond the mere covering of skin.1 Timothy 2:9-10 explains, “In like manner, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, and gold or pearls or costly raiment; but (which becometh women professing godliness) through good works”.

(a)               Our apparel should be modest. Modesty defined as "orderly, well arranged, and decent". This word applies not so much to scanty clothing but to inappropriate or brash clothing. This means that there is a type of clothing that is not suitable for some occasions as society or culture would expect; and such clothing attracts undue attention as not being appropriate. The modest Christian will not go to a funeral or worship services dressed like they are going to a picnic.

(b)               There should be a sense of honour, reverence, regard for others, and respect’ in our dressing. ‘Shamefacedness’ refers more to the issue of scanty clothing. Those who display their bodies so as to excite lust in others do not have this quality of "shamefacedness." The Christian must take into consideration the effect their apparel has on others. If you cause people to look at you with lust (and they will!), you have not only enticed them to sin (Matthew 5:28) but you are equally guilty of sin (Matthew 18:7).

(c)                “Sobriety” indicates moderation and suggests that one should not go to extremes in any regard. Only someone of a sound mind will recognize the limits of good taste. But we find people who use their appearance to draw undue attention to themselves. They possess an attitude that is full of the ‘self’ and dress in such a way that says, "Hey, look at me!" This includes:

(i) Girls with too much make-up. Bum shorts to show off their thighs. 

(ii) Guys with muscle shirts or no shirt at all to show off their physique (both cases in public).

Excuses People Give for Indecent Dressing

1.                   "Indecent dressing is relative." (meaning, “Different strokes for different folks” may not necessarily be bad)

2.                  “We are not living in old times.” (meaning, “Things have changed since Adam & Eve, just in case you haven’t noticed)

3.                  "Some cultures, for example in Europe, are more open about their bodies, so there, nudity is okay." (meaning, “When you go to Rome, do like the Romans”)

4.                  "It depends on the situation.  If everyone else around is dressed scantily, it's okay." (meaning, “Go with the flow”)

5.                  "It depends on the activity.  If it's some athletic completion or hard work, you can't expect full clothing." (meaning, “There is a time & place for everything”)

6.                  "I'll be cooler and more comfortable." (meaning, “Isn’t that the whole point of dressing – to be comfortable)

7.                  "Everybody is dressing in this style now." (meaning, “It’s a vogue thing!”)

Consequences of Indecent Dressing

1.  Indecent dressing is a reflection of one’s level of unseriousness, loss of dignity and poor character molding expected of a responsible society. The Bible says clearly, “Let us not be deceived, for God cannot be ridiculed. Whatever a man sows, he will certainly reap” (Galatians 6:7). It also applies to the choice of indecent dressing.

1.                  2.  No one will take you seriously. It is said that ‘the way you dress is the way you will be addressed’.

2.                  3.  Lost opportunities. Indecent dressers stand to lose many God-given prospects, be they good jobs, life partners, businesses, unmerited favour, etc. Sometimes, there are no opportunities for a second chance to make a good impression.

3.                  4.  Lack of depth. The Bible says, “Deep calls unto the deep …” (Psalm 42:7-8). I believe then, that the shallow will also be the ones to beckon to their kind, the shallow. Indecent dressing portrays a lack of spiritual depth and one cannot go far in life without spiritual profundity.

4.                 5.  Serving the devil. Indecent dressing is the devil’s trick to lure people into sin by configuring it to look glamorous. Every young person wants to look stylish and fashionable and the devil knows this and has prepared his own agenda. So indecent dressers are working the devil’s agenda and not God’s, who wants us to be modest, honourable, and sober, even in our dressing. But “the wages of sin, is death …” (Romans 6:23).

Quote of the Week!

Apostle Paul had this to say in 1 Corinthians 6:12a, ‘All things are lawful but not all things are expedient’. We may not be contravening any law by dressing any which way we desire but there is a code of conduct for every Christian, and it includes the way we, as believers, are expected to appear in public. Being a Christian, I must say, is a choice as well as a lifestyle...