Is it proper for a Christian to be sexy?

Question: Is it okay for a Christian to be sexy (both male and female)? How do you define the word “sexy”? Answer: The Oxford Dictionary defines “sexy” as “sexually attractive or exciting” when applied to others or “sexually aroused” when applied to yourself. Therefore, by definition, “sexy” is referring to sexual lust. “Likewise, I want…

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What Does Your Clothing Say?

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2005/07/What-Does-Your-Clothing-Say.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 22:2-14   I.         Take a look at these pictures and tell me what you think.             A.        Men                         1.         Who is the most rebellious?                         2.         Who works hard?                         3.         Who doesn’t care what others think?                         4.         Who is the most practical?                         5.         Who is the most studious?                         6.         Who is the most fun loving?                         7.         Who is most…

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Jamaica Patois Wisdom – Clothing

by Jefferson David Tant The Jamaican Patois dialect is colorful, unique, and humorous. It is my desire to share some of the philosophy shown in this mix of colorful phrases that are witty as well as thought-provoking. I hope the readers both profit and enjoy. In my quarter-century plus of teaching there, I have come…

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What length pants or shorts should men wear?

Question: Hello, I attend a church of Christ here in a small town. I had a question regarding modesty. I’ve studied tremendously on this topic and am still left with questions. Your articles are very sound and accurate so I figured you could help: Are shorts ok to wear that don’t all the way hit…

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Is it wrong for women to wear some items of men’s clothing?

Question: Sometimes when I’m at home I’ll wear some of my husband’s clothes because they’re very comfortable for lounging (basketball shorts, t-shirts, things like that). I’ll also wear his basketball shorts outside in the yard when I’m playing with the kids, once again because they’re very comfortable and also much more modest and longer than…

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Shamefastness and Dress

by Jerry Fite In the context of holiness, Paul instructs women to ”adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefastness and sobriety; not with braided hair, and gold or pearls or costly raiment; but (which becometh women professing godliness) through good works” (I Timothy 2:9-10). We communicate many things about ourselves through dress. It should not…

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Is this appropriate clothing for worship?

Question: Good morning, Can you come to worship dressed like this? Over here it happens, but we are not in Africa. We are in Europe. This person has been a member of the congregation for decades and has his citizenship here in this country. His African tribal costume leaves a part of his chest completely…

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God doesn’t want you to change

Question: It’s not about wearing clothes its about doing everything in society so that you match your body in human form. God doesn’t care if you wear clothes or what clothes. He just wants you to be you. Don’t ever change. Just be yourself. Thanks for trying. Just so much wrong out there. Find your…

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Christlike Clothing

by Matthew W. Bassford One of the longest modesty texts in the Bible never mentions the word once. It appears in Colossians 3:12-17, a passage about the virtues in which Christians should clothe themselves. They are the things that others should see when they look at us. To many Christians today, this application might seem…

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I decided to change my wardrobe

Question: Hello, I’m really grateful for the advice you gave to a lady battling with guilt and issues about whether to break up with her fiancé. I had the same thoughts today, even though we have been trusting God for our wedding next year. I felt the standards I had at first have diminished and from the…

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Pose Pretty

by Jefferson David Tant What do you usually do when someone points a camera at you? If you are like most, you immediately “straighten up” a bit, don’t you? Hair fixed, clothes in good order, and a nice smile on your face. Did you ever wonder why we are like that — why we go…

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Modesty

by Randi Roberts Sentry Magazine, September 2003 “Do not let your adornment be merely outward-arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel — rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God” (I…

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Can a Christian use a sauna?

Question: Can a Christian use a sauna? If a Swede or Scandinavian becomes a Christian, should they stop going to the sauna, even in a case that it isn’t sexual? Answer: While saunas are popular in Sweden and Scandinavia, they are not limited to those countries so I will just focus on whether using a…

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Whatever Happened to Modesty?

by Denise Bowman Biblical Insights, July 2007 Modesty has been an issue for man since the beginning of time (Genesis 3:6-7). Isn’t it amazing that Adam and Eve, who were husband and wife and alone in the Garden, understood the need to cover their nakedness, and yet it is sometimes such a stumbling block for…

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Should a husband have a say in what his wife wears?

Question: I read your response to someone asking about unmarried people touching and getting involved in foreplay. The response was very good, I think. Is there any real biblical evidence for women to cover their chests as the average guy does? Women seem to have less and less clothing on. It makes it difficult for…

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Is it a sin to own a luxury handbag?

Question: Hi, I’ve been reading your articles about modesty, and recently I got myself into some heated arguments with a few sisters about owning luxury handbags. Some felt that these are considered as things of the world, and we shouldn’t pursue it, while some felt that owning them will likely invite jealousy. However, the irony…

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How do I talk to my wife about modesty?

Question: My wife struggles with modesty. I do my best to show and tell her that I support and love her regardless of her decisions, but it still makes me uncomfortable when she chooses to dress immodestly. It’s not that I don’t find her attractive, because she is. I feel uncomfortable because I believe that…

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Is it wrong for guys to wear leggings?

Question: The question I have may seem different, but I need some guidance. I wear leggings as a guy. They are comfortable, and I cover with a long tee when I wear them. It may be odd, but would it be considered sin l? I do not feel shameful about it. Nothing bad is showing.…

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The Real Issue in Modesty

by Doy Moyer I see a variety of discussions about modesty. Often they seem to devolve into disputes about issues like women’s empowerment, men’s lustful habits, and where exactly the lines on the body should be. I have no interest in starting another such dispute, so let’s not go there. What I do want to…

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Modest Dress

Modest Dress – Part 1Modest Dress – Part 2 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Timothy 2:9-10   I.         Some people seem to be resistant to the idea that God is concerned with matters in this physical life.             A.        They hold a nebulous idea that God only deals with spiritual matters — ideas such as love, joy,…

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Are yoga pants, bikinis, and short shorts immoral?

Question: Are yoga pants, bikinis, and short shorts immoral? Most women in my area wear these, even pastors’ wives, so it confuses me greatly because I feel sometimes like they’re immodest and that I should avert my eyes. Answer: They can be immoral. When clothing no longer hides a person’s nakedness, then it is wrong.…

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Can female nurses touch a man’s genitals?

Question: Deuteronomy 25:11-12 says “This is what you must do when two men are fighting and the wife of one of them comes to rescue her husband from the man who is beating him. If she tries to stop the fight by grabbing the other man’s genitals, cut off her hand. Have no pity on…

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Is it possible to find modest swimwear?

Question: After reading many of your questions and answers on the subject of apparel, I am still confused a little bit. In one article, you stated, “Nakedness is the exposure of the sexual organs. Any clothing that allows a view of these parts is considered equivalent to being naked.” I agree with this on the basis of…

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Should public breastfeeding be allowed?

Question: Hello, I have been pondering something for a few days now about public breastfeeding and modesty. There is a group of women I know who are “Pro public breastfeeding” They are not Christians at all, but I still feel like I should say something even though I don’t think it will do any good.…

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Excellent article on cheerleaders and modesty, brother

Question: Excellent article on cheerleaders and modesty, brother. Answer: I’m glad you found the article useful. I guess someone recently rediscovered it after it was originally posted in 2006. It has been read over 11,500 times in the last eight days.

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What should I do when there are immodestly dressed women around me?

Question: What should I do when I’m in an environment where seeing immodestly dresses women isn’t possible to avoid? At college, for instance. Answer:   “I have made a covenant with my eyes; why then should I look upon a young woman?” (Job 31:1). When people don’t have the sense to be ashamed about the…

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Is a man immodestly dressed with his shirt off?

Question: Is a man immodestly dressed with his shirt off? Answer: “I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing” (I…

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Are men and women who dress immodestly urged toward promiscuity?

Question: Are men and women who dress immodestly urged toward promiscuity? Answer: Webster’s Dictionary defines immodest as: not modest; not decorous; indecent; not shy or humble; bold; forward. Immodesty doesn’t necessarily go hand in hand with promiscuity.  It can lead to promiscuity, but it is not a given.  A person can be fully clothed and still…

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