What Jesus Would Say About Immodesty

Many don’t know how to dress. It seems odd that such a conundrum is true, but it is true nonetheless. One would think that adults and teens would be educated on what clothes they should wear when in public, but increasingly, they seem to be taking more fabric off than putting more of it on. 

Immodesty is the devil’s spring and summer sin. Every year (often between the months of March-September) he tempts others with this immoral and illicit action. He isn’t specific on where people where this type of apparel; he has enticed people to clothe themselves in this way at swimming pools, beaches, camps, sporting events, shopping centers, and even churches! To say immodesty is common is a great understatement.

Jesus preached many specific sermons, but He also preached many implicit sermons. He had sermons inside sermons. While Jesus never addressed the subject of immodesty directly, He surely discussed it through principle. If Jesus walked on earth today and saw the promiscuousness today, what would He say?

He Would Say That Immodest People Have a Heart Problem. Clothing is the declaration of the disposition of the heart. Immodesty is an expression of a lascivious heart (Mark 7:20-23) and an evil heart (cf. Matthew 12:35). To flaunt oneself in order to excite attention shows a prideful heart—something Jesus often spoke against (Matthew 6:1-4; 23:5-6; Mark 12:38; Luke 11:43; Luke 18:9-14). Jesus would admonish the immodest to emulate Him (Philippians 2:5-8). He would encourage people to correct their hearts (Matthew 5:8) so they could correct their dress.

He Would Warn People of How Their Actions Can Cause Others to Sin. Little do people know that clothing can lead people to Hell. Jesus would tell the immodest that their apparel may excite lust (Matthew 5:28), so they should be extra cautious with their decision before the closet. To cause a Chrisitan to stumble is a mighty offence (Matthew 18:6). In fact, Jesus Himself would be hurt too (1 Corinthians 8:12). While modesty does not always stop lust, immodesty surely increases it. If only young women and men would place themselves in the other gender’s shoes, would they see how detrimental the choice of clothing for the day can be.   

He Would Say That It is Better to Sweat Than to Burn. Common arguments for immodesty include:

• “Everyone is doing it.”

• “I want to look attractive.”

• “I’m just swimming.”

• “Its hot outside.”

Jesus wouldn’t justify immodesty due to temperature. In fact, He would encourage suffering over separation from God. He said on one occasion: “Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. 

And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire” (Matthew 18:8-9). When placed beside eternal pain, unconformity, sweating, and covering up is not that bad. The short shorts, the tight clothing, or the revealing swim wear is not worth having your whole body thrown into Hell.

He Would Tell You That Modesty is Beautiful. Immodesty is flaunting, but modesty is a hiding (1 Peter 3:3-4). Self-expression can actually be unattractive. Reserved, meek, and humble individuals are appealing to others, especially to Jesus (Mark 12:41-44). Jesus would encourage women (and men) to draw less attention to themselves and more focus to their God. He would tell them they would do well to declare good works (1 Timothy 2:10), not their bodies, for this is the true declaration of beauty.[1] Solomon observed “Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised” (Proverbs 31:30).

Maybe the biggest question we should ask is “would we wear this if Jesus were here?” Peter surely knew Jesus had a standard (John 21:7). Jesus would have much to say about immodesty apparel, seeing it is everywhere. What would Jesus say to you about your apparel in the closet? If you have been dressing immodestly, why don’t you change today.

Endnotes

[1]Dan Cates, MSOP Notes on the “T Epistles.”