Not long ago there was a kerfuffle on social media (on a site that I am not currently able to be active on) where a pastor named Brian Sauvé (whose music I shared before) had a post that was about modesty.
Again, I don't know a lot about him other than glancing at the church website (and I believe there was some disagreement that was not salvific that I could easily see).
So, I'm not giving him an unreserved recommendation, but what he said on this tweet has merit.
Here is what he said:
A firestorm of attacks reportedly came at him.... wrongfully accused and nasty pictures sent.
One or more of the negative comments
came from Beth Moore (one was deleted by her).
I highly would urge women to avoid listening to Beth Moore for her false teaching in general, but that's another matter.
The guy addressed men in further posts, but naturally people threw accusations like he is a "patriarchal control freak" or "hyper fundamentalist dudes objectifying women" or worse yet, sent immodest pictures to him.
Christians,
If you knowingly and purposefully dress in a way to draw lust after it has been pointed out to you that you are tempting your brothers who desire to not sin (not speaking of those who have not been made aware and are willing to change when it is pointed out), don't accuse the opposite sex of objectifying you.
You are objectifying yourself.
The messengers whether they are men or women are not the ones to be shot at, and it doesn't mean that we consider ourselves as sinless or superior people (most certainly we are not).
Men and women are responsible for sin if they intentionally continue to look at what draws them to sin or dwell on what they've unintentionally seen or sin in their minds even when nobody is dressed seductively, but those who are immodest can be responsible for enticing someone to commit adultery or fornication (lust in the heart).
And behold, a woman comes to meet him,
Dressed as a harlot and cunning of heart.
Proverbs 7:10 LSB
You may say that you don't intend to commit adultery (or fornication) when you share photos or go out in public like the woman in Proverbs did, but are you drawing someone to commit adultery in their heart?
If you are seeking men to look at you sensually, you are also sinning.
You are also not showing love to the brothers who are seeking to avoid or break from a sin that they do not want to continue in.
Low shirts, tight clothes, lots of skin showing...these things even make victorious men have to look away from women to avoid sinning.
Men are visually stimulated, and a lot of women know this and use this fact...not all do it consciously, but many do.
There are women who also struggle with thoughts.
Christians shouldn't be like the person waving a red flag at a bull and telling it not to look or charge at us.
More mothers & fathers and churches need to address these things...matters not only of the clothing but of our hearts.
I'm not speaking of people wearing uniforms like the Amish, Mennonites, or the rules of some Independent Baptists, or any churches that get to the point where you might be considered an unbeliever or outsider for wearing nice slacks as a woman rather than a long skirt (though long skirts aren't a bad thing).
To make the assumption that it does mean that would be incorrect...a false charge that any mention of modesty or examples of things that tempt men makes one a legalist.
It doesn't mean you should quickly charge someone with hypocrisy or even use what you've seen as actual hypocrisy as an excuse for your own heart and behavior and sinful attitudes toward other Christians.
Christians need to flee youthful lusts, and they need to fight sin with Scripture and prayer and removing and fleeing from things that tempt them.... the same is true of women as of men.
We all need to spend time in Scripture and fight and flee whatever sins might tempt or entangle us.
We need to pursue what leads to sanctification.
God is present at all times, and Christians need to remember Him in everything and seek to honor Him.
We can only be successful as believers through the power of the Spirit...with His help and in His strength.
Let's do what we can to be modest and discreet and to not put a stumbling block in front of another Christian.
I'm not anybody important, and I know that I have a long way to go in sanctification.
I hope the verses are helpful, and the message below them will also be helpful to you.
Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, with modesty and self-restraint, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly clothing, but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women professing godliness.1 Timothy 2:9-10 LSB
But I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you do not do the things that you want.
But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
Galatians 5:16-18 LSB
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk in step with the Spirit.
Galatians 5:24-25 LSB
“Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; nevertheless, woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes!
And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out and throw it from you. It is better for you to enter life with one eye, than, having two eyes, to be cast into the fiery hell.
Matthew 18:7, 9 LSB
Now flee from youthful
lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
“I have cut a covenant with my eyes;
How then could I gaze at a virgin?
Job 31:1 LSB
Do not desire her beauty in your heart, Nor let her capture you with her eyelids.
Proverbs 6:25 LSB
Pastor Don Green (who I would definitely recommend) gave an excellent message on Sunday about adultery/sexual immorality where he had a quote in the message that also pointed out about the way women dress.
Some weeks there seems to be a theme on things.... whether intentional by people or not... though there are no coincidences with God.
Don Green's messages on the moral commandments of Scripture gather from other places in Scripture to show the depth of our sins that the commandments point to. The Law points out sin, and they show our need of a Savior. They also are a guide to believers who desire to walk by the Spirit.