Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

This outward appearance was a reflection of their inner feeling of modesty, femininity and submission to God.

1900 to 1910:

Before the turn of the century, women generally made their own clothes.

Then the styles changed. 1907 the peek-a-boo shirt was introduced.

Eyelet embroidery on sleeves showed the flesh of the arms.

The length of the skirt got shorter.

Women were now taking jobs, and that demanded simpler clothing.

Many women were now more concerned about their jobs then the home and family.

1910 to 1920:

Now woman were enjoying their new roles in the work place. Birth control was the new best thing.

Smoking, drinking and shorter hair was the new fad for many woman.

Until 1910, swimsuits of both men and women were very modest. It covered most of the arms and legs, and all of the shoulders. They were also non-clinging.

Then in Milwaukee, a woman’s swimming team wore their revealingly swimsuits.

A cartoonist in the a newspaper depicted a woman of 1615 sitting in a chair reading her Bible and another in a suit from 1915 slouched in a chair smoking a cigarette reading a fashion magazine.

1920 to 1930:

More and more woman were cutting their hair short.

The V-neck shirt and dresses above the knee were becoming popular.

Women were now in bars, alongside of the men, smoking, drinking, and dancing.

The younger generation were questioning the older.

There was a moral decline on the college campuses. College became a place to party, get drunk, and have sex.

Young people were imitating what they saw in the Hollywood movies. The actors became idols.

The motto was “ EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY”

1930 to 1940:

Brenda Frazier started the fad of penciled eyebrows, bright colored lipstick and strapless gowns.

Marlene Dietrich, in her movies, made pants wearing popular. She also wore men’s trousers, shirts, ties and hats.

“The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God. ” (Deuteronomy 22:5)

By the end of the 30’s, halter tops and shorts were the fashion, which reflected the low moral standards.

Divorce and remarriage swept the country.

When we go to the public restrooms, what door do we go in? The figure wearing the dress!

Examples Of Modesty

Sitting:

Always sit with legs together – Cross feet

Dresses should cover you knees completely or the dress is too short

Slits in dress should be no more than 1 in. If it is, pin it or don’t buy it

Bust Line:

A top should not emphasize your bust

Neck Line:

Opening in front should be no lower than two finger below the collar bone

Bra straps should not show on your shoulders

What about swimsuits?

I have not yet found a swimsuit that can be considered modest by Scriptural standards. Many of the so-called modest swimsuits today barely cover what our undergarments cover. Surely if we were caught by brothers or any man besides our husband in our undergarments we would shriek with utter mortification and run for the nearest hiding place. Do we feel the same about being seen by men in our swimsuits? Is there a difference? It may be that any bathing suit you can buy today shows portions of a woman’s body that only her husband should be allowed to see.  I don’t think Dorcas sewed any, do you?

Would you be embarrassed if you were standing before Jesus?

Around the late 1960’s and early 1970’s the unisex look was introduced. Through the last 30 years the unisex look has not only become fashionable but also acceptable.

Can pants, shorts or jeans which show a woman’s form, and hips (and even the outline of her undergarments) be considered modest apparel? That is a question for each sister to consider.

Whatever we choose to wear, we must make our choices with the intention of upholding and establishing the clearest possible distinction between men and women that God set in order from creation.

A Woman’s Most Important Clothing: Righteousness and Humility

Whose adorning, let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: (1 Peter 3:3)

A sister’s dress should be an expression of a meek and quiet spirit, intended more to please the sight of God than the sight of men.

Some do not apply the scriptures to this “modern day.” But God’s view of modesty is not variable. It does not depend on the cultures that men create. It does not depend on the weather. We read of no special circumstances in the Scriptures which set aside this teaching and gives liberty for women to display their nakedness. Therefore, we must assume that even in this evil and perverse generation, God still expects us to maintain His standards of modesty.