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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 our selves through dress. It
should not be surprising that the woman of a “wily” heart
is dressed “with the attire of a harlot” (Proverbs 7:10).
The disposition of heart not only finds expression in word but
often it manifests its character in dress.
The
ostentatious or showy spirit often finds an outlet through
extravagant hair styles, expensive jewelry and costly raiment.
Paul is warning women readers to guard against inappropriate
dress.
How
does he combat the problem? Fight fire with fire. An
unbecoming spirit is behind inappropriate dress, so if we
concentrate on having a right spirit when we dress, our
adornment should be appropriate.
One
characteristic of a holy and godly heart is “shamefastness”.
According to Vine, this “is that modesty which is ‘fast”
or rooted in the character.” Like “bedfast” is
describing one confined to bed, “shamefast” is modesty
firmly imbedded in character. This godly heart understands the
limits or boundaries of propriety and shrinks back from ever
crossing the line instead of seeing how close one can come to
the line.
Shamefastness
is that character of heart that is concerned with how certain
actions will affect others. We see this clearly when Jesus
speaks of the “importunity” or “shameless persistence”
(the opposite of shamefastness) of one who approaches the door
of a friend at midnight. He is persistent in asking for bread,
but shamelessly so. He does not care if his friend is in bed
at midnight with his children or what the friend will have to
do to accommodate his request. He has no shame regarding how
his actions are affecting his friend (Luke 11:5-8).
Our
dress has an effect upon others. “Shamefastness” factors
this in and makes sure the dress for the occasion will be
fitting within the limits of propriety, therefore not
adversely affecting others.
Our
purpose in assembling this morning is to worship and honor
God, not put on a show with the new spring fashions.
Shamefastness does not keep women from new things, it keeps
her within the limits of modest dress, that manifests
sobriety. Her dress never distracts other worshippers from the
lofty purpose of honoring God by bringing undue attention to
herself, or attracting the envious or even lustful gaze of the
distracted.
Spring
and summer seasons also tempt the ostentatious and showy
spirit to show off more of the body rather than keep it
modestly covered. Shamefastness will not allow an ostentatious
spirit to take root and find expression in skimpy clothing.
The woman with shamefastness considers how shorts exposing the
thighs; halter tops, attracting eyes to the bare midriff; or
swimsuits boldly revealing the female form will attract the
wrong kind of response from men. So, she avoids such attire
before the public’s eye.
The
woman wanting to dress becomingly as one who is manifesting
godliness can do so in any society. Developing shamefastness
will help tremendously in dressing for all occasions.
Jerry
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