The Bible has a lot to say about modesty in the Old Testament and the New Testament. I believe the most popular scripture that mentions it is 1 Timothy 2:9, "And I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes."
This list probably won't contain all of them, but I will share scriptures the Lord has been teaching me that should influence the way we dress and carry ourselves as believers.
Old Testament Scriptures About Modesty
Genesis 3:21 "The Lord God made tunics of [animal] skins for Adam and his wife and clothed them."
When sin entered the world, we could no longer be naked around each other. Sin causes us to have a depraved and corrupt mind towards others. Seeing someone naked can no longer be treated innocently in a world stained by sin.
Exodus 28:2-3 "Make sacred garments for Aaron that are glorious and beautiful. Instruct all the skilled craftsmen whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom. Have them make garments for Aaron that will distinguish him as a priest set apart for my service." The descendants of Aaron were priests in the Old Testament and they could only wear sacred garments to serve the Lord. Today, we are the Royal Priesthood and how we dress should be sacred and set apart for worship to God.
Exodus 20:26 "And do not approach my altar by going up steps. If you do, someone might look up under your clothing and see your nakedness." God urged the Israelites to be careful how they approached His altars when offering sacrifices. He cared about their private parts being exposed when going up steps to make sacrifices. Why? Our nakedness is personal and uncommon. It's not for everyone to see.
Jeremiah 13:22 "And if you [wonder] in your heart, "Why have these things happened to me?" It is because of the greatness and nature of your sin that your skirts have been pulled away [subjecting you to public disgrace] and [like a barefoot slave] your heels have been wounded." Once again we see in this scripture that nakedness and having skirts removed is a sign of public disgrace. In the OT, we learn that nakedness being exposed is judgment for disobedience and not a fashion style.
Isaiah 47:3 "Men will see your naked body and use you for sex." This is one of the judgments for the nation of Babylon in the Old Testament. It's similar to Genesis 3:21 about God giving Adam and Eve clothes after sin entered the world. Our naked bodies can no longer be treated with innocence and respect.
Proverbs 31:22b "Her clothing is linen, pure and fine, and purple [wool]." The Proverbs 31 woman dressed in splendid clothing. It's not just the material, but the spiritual implication of this scripture. Pure and fine linen means she dressed with purity, which is mentioned in Revelations 3:5 as the garments believers wear when they overcome the world.
Proverbs 7:10 "And there a woman met him dressed as a prostitute and sly and cunning of heart." How do prostitutes dress? Revealing and appetizing to attract their customers. Any clothing that has this effect is not fit for a woman or man of God.
New Testament Scriptures About Modesty
1 Timothy 2:9 "And I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes." This scripture is pretty clear about how we should choose our outfits. If you'd like a visual blueprint with more benefits and truth about modesty, download our Modesty Playbook for free.
1 Peter 3:3-4 "It is not fancy hair, gold jewelry, or fine clothes that should make you beautiful. No, your beauty should come from inside you—the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. That beauty will never disappear. It is worth very much to God." Peter is encouraging women to transfer their focus from their physical beauty and attractiveness to their character. Whether modest or immodest, both can lean too much into vanity when God cares more about our hearts.
Galatians 5:19 "Now the practices of the sinful nature are clearly evident: they are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control)," In the OT we learned that the Proverbs 31 woman dressed with purity, the flesh chooses impurity. Dressing immodestly pleases the sensual nature and lacks self-control in choosing outfits.
Romans 12:1-2 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Our bodies are to be living and holy sacrifices to God, acceptable and pleasing to Him. In the OT, the sacrifices given at the altar had to be only what God accepted. This is no different, except Jesus being the first to show us what is pleasing to God. And modesty and purity are pleasing to Him.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 "You should know that your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit that you received from God and that lives in you. You don’t own yourselves. God paid a very high price to make you His. So honor God with your body." We honor God with our bodies when we realize the Holy Spirit, the very presence of God, dwells in us. He is quenched and grieved when we give our bodies over to sinful and youthful lusts. Modesty honors God.
Romans 13:13-14 "Let us conduct ourselves properly and honorably as in the [light of] day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and irresponsibility, not in quarreling and jealousy. But clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for [nor even think about gratifying] the flesh in regard to its improper desires." We are called to clothe ourselves with Christ. What does that look like? Obedience to His word. 1 Timothy 2:9 is very clear about how to dress and this scripture says avoid sexual promiscuity. Usually, promiscuity involves immodesty and irresponsible behavior.
Revelation 3:5 "He who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God] will accordingly be dressed in white clothing, and I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, and I will confess and openly acknowledge his name before My Father and before His angels [saying that he is one of Mine]." I mentioned earlier white clothing as a parallel to Proverbs 31:22b. White clothing symbolizes purity, light, and innocence. Those who overcome the world will wear robes of white. We should be prepared for that day by carrying ourselves with purity today.
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