dress that comes from a good conscience dress that comes from a good conscience

Dress that Comes From a Dress that Comes From a Good ConscienceGood Conscience

Everything we do outwardly comes Everything we do outwardly comes

from the heart.from the heart. • Ultimately it is our hearts that are Ultimately it is our hearts that are

presented before God. presented before God. (Deut 30:6; Jer 4:4)(Deut 30:6; Jer 4:4)


from the heart.from the heart. • Deuteronomy 30:6Deuteronomy 30:6 - And the LORD your - And the LORD your

God God will circumcise your heartwill circumcise your heart and the and the heart of your descendants, heart of your descendants, to love the to love the LORD your GodLORD your God with with all your heartall your heart and and with with all your soulall your soul, that , that you may liveyou may live..


from the heart.from the heart. • Jeremiah 4:4Jeremiah 4:4 - - Circumcise yourselves to Circumcise yourselves to

the LORDthe LORD, And take away the foreskins of , And take away the foreskins of your hearts, You men of Judah and your hearts, You men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, Lest My fury inhabitants of Jerusalem, Lest My fury come forth like fire, And burn so that no come forth like fire, And burn so that no one can quench one can quench it, it, Because of the evil of Because of the evil of your doings.your doings.


from the heart.from the heart. • Our study today, while making application Our study today, while making application

about clothing, is actually about the heart.about clothing, is actually about the heart.


from the heart.from the heart. • This subject is highly sensitive because of This subject is highly sensitive because of

our desire to be acceptable to others and our desire to be acceptable to others and because of possible correction to what because of possible correction to what allowed to be practiced by parents.allowed to be practiced by parents.

• To those with a “circumcised heart” this To those with a “circumcised heart” this will not be difficult but welcomed. will not be difficult but welcomed. (Jn 3:21)(Jn 3:21)


from the heart.from the heart. • John 3:21John 3:21 - - "But he who does the truth "But he who does the truth

comes to the lightcomes to the light, that , that his deeds may be his deeds may be clearly seenclearly seen, that they have been done in , that they have been done in God." God."


from the heart.from the heart. • We continue to examine how a “good We continue to examine how a “good

conscience” is maintained by a conscience” is maintained by a joyful joyful strifestrife to avoid offence before God and to avoid offence before God and men. men. (Acts 24:16)(Acts 24:16)


from the heart.from the heart. • Acts 24:16Acts 24:16 - - "This "This being being so, I myself so, I myself

always always strive to have a conscience without strive to have a conscience without offenseoffense toward toward God and menGod and men..


from the heart.from the heart. • strivestrive - - exercise exercise (oneself), (oneself), take pains, take pains,

labor, strivelabor, strive; followed by an infinitive (AC ; followed by an infinitive (AC 24.16) - Thayer’s Lexicon24.16) - Thayer’s Lexicon


from the heart.from the heart. • This kind of heart is mocked and This kind of heart is mocked and

condemned by the world and worldly condemned by the world and worldly religion. Some say this “strife” is against religion. Some say this “strife” is against the “grace of God” and hinders our the “grace of God” and hinders our “assurance” before God. The Gnostics “assurance” before God. The Gnostics would have said this!would have said this!

• This is the real product of the real love of This is the real product of the real love of God! God! (1 Jn 3:19-21)(1 Jn 3:19-21)


from the heart.from the heart. • 1 John 3:19-211 John 3:19-21 - And by this - And by this we know we know

that we are of the truththat we are of the truth, and , and shall assure shall assure our hearts before Himour hearts before Him. 20 For if our heart . 20 For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. 21 Beloved, heart, and knows all things. 21 Beloved, if if our heart does not condemn usour heart does not condemn us, we have , we have confidence toward Godconfidence toward God


from the heart.from the heart. • 22 And whatever we ask we receive from

Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

How the heart affects outward clothingHow the heart affects outward clothing

• For a Christian woman being a “daughter For a Christian woman being a “daughter of Sarah” is her goal of Sarah” is her goal (1 Pt 3:6)(1 Pt 3:6)


• 1 Peter 3:61 Peter 3:6 - as - as SarahSarah obeyed Abraham, obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, calling him lord, whose daughters you arewhose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.terror.


• What makes one a daughter of Sarah? What makes one a daughter of Sarah? Look at the heart! Look at the heart! (1 Pt 3:1-5)(1 Pt 3:1-5)


• 1 Peter 3:1-51 Peter 3:1-5 - Wives, likewise, - Wives, likewise, be be submissive to your own husbands, that submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, even if some do not obey the word, they, without a wordwithout a word, may be won by , may be won by the the conduct of their wivesconduct of their wives, 2 when they , 2 when they observe your observe your chaste conductchaste conduct accompanied accompanied by fearby fear. .


• 3 3 Do notDo not let your adornment be let your adornment be merely merely outward -- outward -- arranging the hair, wearing gold, or arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on putting on fine fine apparelapparel -- 4 -- 4 ratherrather let it be let it be the the hidden person of the hearthidden person of the heart, with the , with the incorruptible incorruptible beauty beauty of of a gentle and quiet a gentle and quiet spiritspirit, which is , which is very precious in the sight of very precious in the sight of GodGod. 5 For in this manner, in former times, . 5 For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands,their own husbands,


• chastechaste - as a quality of behavior that is - as a quality of behavior that is morally clean morally clean purity, sincerity, purity, sincerity, blamelessness blamelessness (2C 6.6) (2C 6.6)

• fearfear - in a positive sense - in a positive sense respect, respect, reverence, awe, (wholesome) fear reverence, awe, (wholesome) fear

• quiet spiritquiet spirit - as possessing inward calm - as possessing inward calm quiet, tranquil, peaceful, at rest quiet, tranquil, peaceful, at rest


• notnot - arranging the hair, wearing gold, or - arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on putting on fine fine apparel / apparel / ratherrather let it be let it be the the hidden person of the hearthidden person of the heart


• Our dress should reflect a good Our dress should reflect a good conscience. conscience. (1 Tim 2:9-10) KJV(1 Tim 2:9-10) KJV


• (1 Timothy 2:9-10 KJV)(1 Timothy 2:9-10 KJV) - In like manner - In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in also, that women adorn themselves in modest modest apparel, with apparel, with shamefacedness shamefacedness and and sobrietysobriety; not with broided hair, or ; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; gold, or pearls, or costly array; {10} {10} But But (which becometh women professing (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.godliness) with good works.


• ModestModest - (kosmios) - of good behaviour , well - (kosmios) - of good behaviour , well arranged, seemly.arranged, seemly.

• ShamefacednessShamefacedness - (aidos) - perhaps ..through - (aidos) - perhaps ..through the idea of downcast eyes; a sense of the idea of downcast eyes; a sense of shame or honor, modesty, bashfulness, shame or honor, modesty, bashfulness, reverence, regard for reverence, regard for others, respect. others, respect.

• sobrietysobriety - (sophrosune) 1) soundness of mind - (sophrosune) 1) soundness of mind 2) self-control 2) self-control


• How can a woman gain such a heart?How can a woman gain such a heart?

• She must have a genuine and reverent She must have a genuine and reverent faith. faith. (Mal 1:6; Psa 89:5-8)(Mal 1:6; Psa 89:5-8)


• Malachi 1:6Malachi 1:6 - - " A son honors " A son honors his his father, father, And a servant And a servant his his master. If then I am the master. If then I am the Father, Father, Where Where is is My honorMy honor? And if I ? And if I am am a a Master, Master, Where Where is is My reverenceMy reverence? Says the ? Says the LORD of hosts To you priests who LORD of hosts To you priests who despise My name. Yet you say, 'In what despise My name. Yet you say, 'In what way have we despised Your name?'way have we despised Your name?'


• Psalm 89:5-8Psalm 89:5-8 - - And the heavens will praise And the heavens will praise Your wonders, O LORD; Your faithfulness also Your wonders, O LORD; Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the saints. 6 For who in the in the assembly of the saints. 6 For who in the heavens can be compared to the LORD? heavens can be compared to the LORD? Who Who among the sons of the mighty can be likened among the sons of the mighty can be likened to the LORD? 7 to the LORD? 7 God is greatly to be feared in God is greatly to be feared in the assemblythe assembly of the saints, And of the saints, And to be held in to be held in reverence by all reverence by all those those around Himaround Him. 8 O LORD . 8 O LORD God of hosts, Who God of hosts, Who is is mighty like You, O mighty like You, O LORD? Your faithfulness also surrounds You.LORD? Your faithfulness also surrounds You.


• She must be secure in her relationship She must be secure in her relationship with God.with God.

• She wants the praise of God above men.She wants the praise of God above men.

• She does not want to draw undue She does not want to draw undue attention to herself in clothing and actions.attention to herself in clothing and actions.

Why God gives emphasis towards Why God gives emphasis towards women on clothingwomen on clothing

• Consider some possible reasons.Consider some possible reasons.

• Women tend to be more focused on Women tend to be more focused on relationships.relationships.

• Men are more affected by the dress of a Men are more affected by the dress of a woman. woman. (Mt 5:28)(Mt 5:28)


• Matthew 5:28Matthew 5:28 - - "But I say to you that "But I say to you that whoever whoever looks at a woman to lust for herlooks at a woman to lust for her has already has already committed adultery with her in committed adultery with her in his hearthis heart. .


• Nakedness should cause the painful Nakedness should cause the painful emotion of shame!emotion of shame!

• Adam and Eve were naked when they had Adam and Eve were naked when they had no clothesno clothes. . (Gen 2:25)(Gen 2:25)


• Genesis 2:25Genesis 2:25 - - And they were And they were both nakedboth naked, , the man and his wife, and were not the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.ashamed.


• They were They were still nakedstill naked when they made when they made the equivalent of men’s swimming trunks! the equivalent of men’s swimming trunks! (Gen 3:7, 10-11)(Gen 3:7, 10-11)


• Genesis 3:7Genesis 3:7 - Then the eyes of both of - Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and them were opened, and they knew that they knew that they they were were nakednaked; and they ; and they sewed fig sewed fig leaves togetherleaves together and and made themselves made themselves coveringscoverings..


• Genesis 3:10-11Genesis 3:10-11 - - So he said, "I heard So he said, "I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was nakedbecause I was naked; and I hid myself." ; and I hid myself." 11 And He said, "Who told you that you 11 And He said, "Who told you that you were were naked? Have you eaten from the tree naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should of which I commanded you that you should not eat?"not eat?"


• After God made them “tunics of skin” they After God made them “tunics of skin” they were not “naked.” These are defined as: were not “naked.” These are defined as: "generally with sleeves, coming down to "generally with sleeves, coming down to the knees" the knees" (Gen 3:21)(Gen 3:21)


• Genesis 3:21Genesis 3:21 - Also for Adam and his wife - Also for Adam and his wife the LORD the LORD God made tunics of skinGod made tunics of skin, and , and clothed themclothed them..


• God was very concerned with improper God was very concerned with improper clothing that still left one naked! How much clothing that still left one naked! How much was covered? Look at the passages! was covered? Look at the passages! (Ex 28:41-42; Isa 47:2-3)(Ex 28:41-42; Isa 47:2-3)


• Exodus 28:41-42Exodus 28:41-42 - "So you shall put - "So you shall put them on Aaron your brother and on his them on Aaron your brother and on his sons with him. You shall anoint them, sons with him. You shall anoint them, consecrate them, and sanctify them, that consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister to Me as priests. 42 they may minister to Me as priests. 42 "And you shall make for them linen "And you shall make for them linen trousers trousers to cover their nakednessto cover their nakedness; they ; they shall reach from the waist to the thighsshall reach from the waist to the thighs..


• Isaiah 47:2-3Isaiah 47:2-3 - - Take the millstones and Take the millstones and grind meal. Remove your veil, Take off the grind meal. Remove your veil, Take off the skirt, Uncover the thigh, Pass through the skirt, Uncover the thigh, Pass through the rivers. 3 rivers. 3 Your nakedness shall be Your nakedness shall be uncovereduncovered, Yes, your shame will be seen; , Yes, your shame will be seen; I will take vengeance, And I will not I will take vengeance, And I will not arbitrate with a man."arbitrate with a man."


• Have you lost your shame concerning Have you lost your shame concerning nakedness?nakedness?

Some basic applications on dressSome basic applications on dress

• Let godly fathers speak out! Godly women Let godly fathers speak out! Godly women need to seek advice of godly men.need to seek advice of godly men.

• Some women do not realize the message Some women do not realize the message they are sending. they are sending. (Prov 7:10)(Prov 7:10)


• Proverbs 7:10Proverbs 7:10 - And there a woman met - And there a woman met him, him, With With the attire of a harlotthe attire of a harlot, and a crafty , and a crafty heart.heart.


• ““Modesty is nothing to be ashamed of!”Modesty is nothing to be ashamed of!”

• Carefully study these things before being a Carefully study these things before being a part of public events.part of public events.


• There are not public situations where There are not public situations where modesty does not matter! (Ex. Sports)modesty does not matter! (Ex. Sports)

• Please think through the wedding dress Please think through the wedding dress and the bridesmaids’ dress carefully. A and the bridesmaids’ dress carefully. A Christian must refuse to be a part of that!Christian must refuse to be a part of that!


• Dress Test for Women by Mary MartiniDress Test for Women by Mary Martini

• 1. Look at yourself in a full length mirror – 1. Look at yourself in a full length mirror – front, back and sideways and ask:front, back and sideways and ask:

• 2. Will what I am wearing bring God glory 2. Will what I am wearing bring God glory and portray me as a godly woman?and portray me as a godly woman?

• 3. Does what I am wearing meet or 3. Does what I am wearing meet or exceed God’s standard for being modest? exceed God’s standard for being modest? ( (Genesis 3:21; Exodus 20:26; 28:40-43Genesis 3:21; Exodus 20:26; 28:40-43))


• Exodus 20:26Exodus 20:26 - 'Nor shall you go up by - 'Nor shall you go up by steps to My altar, that steps to My altar, that your nakedness your nakedness may not be exposed on itmay not be exposed on it.'.'


• 4. Is it appropriate and respectful? 4. Is it appropriate and respectful? ((Genesis 41:14; Matthew 22:11-14Genesis 41:14; Matthew 22:11-14) )


• Genesis 41:14Genesis 41:14 - Then Pharaoh sent and - Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him called Joseph, and they brought him quickly out of the dungeon; and quickly out of the dungeon; and he he shaved, changed his clothingshaved, changed his clothing, and , and came to came to PharaohPharaoh..


• 5. Will my clothing help or hurt my 5. Will my clothing help or hurt my influence for Christ? (influence for Christ? (Romans 13:10)Romans 13:10)


• Romans 13:10Romans 13:10 - - Love does no harm to a Love does no harm to a neighborneighbor; therefore love ; therefore love is is the fulfillment of the fulfillment of the law.the law.


• 6.6. Is it too short? Sit down, cross your Is it too short? Sit down, cross your legs, bend over, reach up and squat legs, bend over, reach up and squat down. At any time, does the garment down. At any time, does the garment reveal any of your leg above your knees?reveal any of your leg above your knees?


• 7. Is it too tight? Am I revealing my body 7. Is it too tight? Am I revealing my body form (which highlights or emphasizes form (which highlights or emphasizes my feminine sexuality), thus tantalizing, my feminine sexuality), thus tantalizing, enticing, or tempting men (young or enticing, or tempting men (young or old) to have impure thoughts (old) to have impure thoughts (Matthew Matthew 18:7; Gal 5:1918:7; Gal 5:19 – lasciviousness)? – lasciviousness)?


• Matthew 18:7Matthew 18:7 - "Woe to the world - "Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must because of offenses! For offenses must come, but come, but woe to that man by whom the woe to that man by whom the offense comesoffense comes!!


• 8. Is it too sheer? Can I see my skin or 8. Is it too sheer? Can I see my skin or undergarments through the material? undergarments through the material? ((John 21:7John 21:7 – undergarments exposed = – undergarments exposed = naked in God’s eyes)naked in God’s eyes)


• John 21:7John 21:7 - - Therefore that disciple whom Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" Now when Simon Peter heard that it was Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, the Lord, he put on he put on his his outer garmentouter garment (for (for he had removed it), and plunged into the he had removed it), and plunged into the sea.sea.


• 9. Is the neckline too low? Bend over – 9. Is the neckline too low? Bend over – what can you see? Sit. Have another what can you see? Sit. Have another female tell you what they can see while female tell you what they can see while looking down at you. This is a real looking down at you. This is a real situation – be honest.situation – be honest.


• Watch out for the “non-traditional” scoffers Watch out for the “non-traditional” scoffers (2 Pt 2:19-20)(2 Pt 2:19-20)


• 2 Peter 2:19-202 Peter 2:19-20 - - While While they promise them they promise them libertyliberty, they themselves are slaves of , they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. bondage.


• Some of the greatest threats to keeping a Some of the greatest threats to keeping a good conscience come from within the good conscience come from within the church. How many scoff at social drinking church. How many scoff at social drinking and “rules?”and “rules?”

• You will find that a stand in this area will You will find that a stand in this area will cost you relationships! cost you relationships!

• God’s wisdom will always be for our good! God’s wisdom will always be for our good! (Deut 6:24)(Deut 6:24)


• Deuteronomy 6:24Deuteronomy 6:24 - And the LORD - And the LORD commanded us to observe all these commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our for our good alwaysgood always, that He might preserve us , that He might preserve us alive, as alive, as it is it is this day.this day.

dress that comes from a good conscience dress that comes from a good conscience

Documents

circumcised heart

good conscience slide

men of judah

good conscience dress

joyful strife

inhabitants of jerusalem

possible correction

infinitive ac