Immodesty

Articles

Rick Fleeman
12/05/00 - Modesty

Modest apparel has become a foreign idea to Americans. Due to our society when we think of nakedness we pretty much picture someone "without a stitch of clothing on". Yet the Bible shows us that one can have "clothing" on yet still be exposing their nakedness.

God's definition of nakedness and immodesty has not changed. Right from the beginning of Genesis we have rules laid down that teach us how to clothe ourselves and cover our nakedness.

I am going to pose something to you... A person's conscience ACCOMPANIED with knowledge let's him know he is naked. We first notice that without knowledge Adam and Eve didn't feel any shame because they didn't know they were naked.

Gen 2:21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
Gen 2:22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
Gen 2:23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
Gen 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
Gen 2:25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

But as we read on we see they gained knowledge.

Gen 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
Gen 3:7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

So now they have knowledge. Make a mental note of what has happened so far. Adam and Eve have already sewed fig leaves together and made aprons which they are already wearing. This apron is said to be defined as a "loin cover". The original word would imply covering the hips, lower back, groin area and such like in that area of the body. One minister worded it this way. "They are now wearing the bikini bottom minimum" as viewed by our society. But notice what happens next.

Gen 3:8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
Gen 3:9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
Gen 3:10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

Although they had their aprons on they still knew they were naked and hid themselves!! Did God agree?

Gen 3:11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?

God doesn't directly reply "Yes you're naked", but he obviously agrees that they are naked and asks how they figured it out.

I want you to make one other note before we move on. Even though Adam and Eve were the only humans on the face of the earth, they knew that it wasn't right to go around naked. They sought to clothe themselves.

I used to think the children's story, The Emporer's Clothes was totally unbelievable. Recall the emperor was fooled into thinking he had clothes on when he had none and he walked around naked. I pose to you this happens all the time. Someone might find a garment that they realize is improper. When they view the garment they feel shame and think, "I can't wear this." Then their friend buys it. Next a neighbor. Finally someone they view as religious is wearing the garment because it's "in style". Suddenly this person decides to buy the garment and is walking around "naked" (despite having some clothing on) and actually think they are clothed.

We'll stop for now, but please check out our other articles on shamefastness.