Called to Be Separate

Does modesty change? Is something that was immodest a few years ago modest today? Should we define modesty as a standard significantly higher than the standard of today’s average fashionable dresser? Should we classify it as avoiding those things which might arouse another’s lust? Or is it based on principles that transcend all cultural differences and are given by God Himself?

            The Bible and Spirit of Prophecy give us abundant information on what characterizes clothing as either modest or immodest. The fact that God inspired His prophets to deal so specifically and extensively with this topic indicates that it is a very important one.

God’s Principles

            First, we must address the question: Are principles of modesty God’s principles? The answer is yes. “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:20, 21.

            The prophets did not write their own personal feelings and opinions. They wrote what the Holy Ghost inspired them to write. Thus the principles of modesty expressed by the prophets are God’s principles.

            The question remains: Does modesty change? Might not the prophets have sounded cautions about dress merely to the people of their time? Might not those teachings be inapplicable today?

            The Bible will answer this question for itself. “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” Isaiah 40:8. “For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations.” Psalm 100:5.

            God’s Word is unchanging. God does not change and His truth does not change. We understand that the handwriting of ordinances, with its ceremonies and sacrifices, was done away with. Yet nowhere have we been encouraged to believe that God’s principles of righteousness, His commands specifically given to guide us in the Christian life, and His special counsel given in the Spirit of Prophecy, would one day become outdated or inapplicable. God’s principles transcend eras and cultures. They reach our hearts and transform our lives wherever and whenever we are living.

Principle or Application?

            We may have heard someone say that while principles do not change, the application of them does.  We must be very cautious lest such ideas lead us to compromise. If we begin to believe that some of God’s directions for our lives are only “applications,” which we can alter at will, we are on dangerous ground. We will immediately be plunged into the confusing dilemma of: What is a principle and what is an application?

            We would be much safer to adhere to this rule: If God saw any point of sufficient importance to give us directions regarding it, it must be of sufficient importance to warrant our attention and obedience today. Although we may at times wonder why He has said what He has, we know that He knows best. We can trust His wisdom!

God Defines Modesty

            The answer to another question now becomes clearer: How should we define modesty? If we base it a little above the current cultural norms, we will have a steadily declining standard to be sure. An observation of recent history will show us that modesty standards in the fashion world have become progressively lower. In fact, World Book Encyclopedia documents that “Today women wear less clothing than in any other period since ancient times.” Volume 4, article “Clothing.” Clearly today’s public understanding of modesty should not even factor into the picture when Christians seek to determine what is modest.

            Can the modesty or immodesty of a style of clothing can be determined by whether it will cause a temptation to lust on the part of a man? While this is something that should be considered, it in itself is not a complete criterion for modesty. In our modern society, jaded by sights of indecency, it may be easier to justify our own style of dress by comparing it with some of the more extreme styles.

            Rather, modesty must be defined by God’s principles. Thankfully, He has seen fit not to leave us in the dark on this important matter.  In the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy, God makes plain to us what He considers as modesty.         

The Style God Planned

At one time in our history, God gave us a certain style of dress known as the reform dress. Sadly, many of the people did not accept it well. Therefore, God removed “the burden of advocating the reform dress.” We are clearly told that this style is no longer God’s direction for us. “The burden of advocating the reform dress was removed because that which was given as a blessing was turned into a curse.”  3SM 253. “Follow the custom of dress in health reform, but do not again introduce the short dress and pants [referring to the reform dress] unless you have the word of the Lord for it.” 5MR 405, 406. [Note: While this dress was shorter than the extremely long, unhealthful skirts of the day, it was not short by today’s standards. It came about 9 inches from the floor.]

Sister White made the principle very clear. Through the Spirit of Prophecy, the burden of advocating the particular style known as the reform dress had been removed. It was not to be reintroduced as a teaching for all sisters in general unless the Lord made it clear, through inspiration, that this was to be done.

Did God then leave us in the dark as to His desires for our dress? In removing the reform dress as a general direction, did He open the choice up for us as to how we shall dress? No, in His mercy, God did not leave us without direction. He provided “another, less objectionable style.”

 “As our sisters would not generally accept the reform dress as it should be worn, another, less objectionable style is now presented. It is free from needless trimmings, free from the looped-up, tied back overskirts. It consists of a plain sack or loose-fitting basque, and skirt, the latter short enough to avoid the mud and filth of the streets. The material should be free from large plaids and figures, and plain in color. The same attention should be given to the clothing of the limbs as with the short dress.” 4T 640. “The dress of our people should be made most simple. The skirt and sacque I have mentioned may be used-- not that just that pattern and nothing else should be established, but a simple style as was represented in that dress. Some have supposed that the very pattern given was the pattern that all were to adopt. This is not so. But something as simple as this would be the best we could adopt under the circum-stances. No one precise style has been given me as the exact rule to guide all in their dress. . . .  Simple dresses should be worn. Try your talent, my sisters, in this essential reform.” 3SM 254.

While not laying down a specific pattern, these statements do give us detailed guiding principles by which to judge the clothing that God would have us to wear. While a number of styles could fit within these guidelines and within the other counsel given us, we must acknowledge that the vast majority of styles worn today would definitely not fit this description.

God Does Nothing in Secret

            Amos 3:7 says, “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets.” It was God who introduced the reform dress as a general style for our sisters, and it was God who removed it. Then God introduced a “less objectionable style” as a standard for sisters’ dress. No inspired word has ever been given stating that the principles of modesty and simplicity as exemplified by this counsel are no longer applicable, that new forms of dress, not adhering to the principles embodied in this description, are now acceptable for God’s people.

Taking Amos 3:7 as our guide, we know that if God had meant for us to leave off these directions in the area of dress, He would have made this clearly known through His servants the prophets. Since this has not happened, we can be safe in concluding that, “Time and trial have not made void the instruction given, but through years of suffering and self-sacrifice have established the truth of the testimony given. The instruction that was given in the early days of the message is to be held as safe instruction to follow in these its closing days…. If we study carefully the second chapter of Hebrews, we shall learn how important it is that we hold steadfastly to every principle of truth that has been given.” 1SM 41.

Sister White’s statement regarding the health reform would also apply here. “I have been shown that the principles that were given us in the early days of the message are as important and should be regarded just as conscientiously today as they were then.” 9T 158.

We may hear it said, either by voice or by example, that God’s clear directions for our dress are old-fashioned or no longer applicable. If we are encouraged to doubt the counsel God has so lovingly seen fit to bestow, let us not give in to the temptation.

God’s inspired words are unchangeable. We will be safe if we cling steadfastly to everything He has commanded us to do.

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