Biblical Purity

Purity is defined as:

freedom from adulteration or contamination.

freedom from immorality, especially of a sexual nature.

Purity begins in the heart (mind)

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (Prov 4:23)

“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he...” (Prov 23:7)

Be careful what we feed our mind. 2 Tim 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth."

Purity in our lives is closely tied to our willingness to live by God’s rules.

God wants us to stay pure in conduct, speech and dress.

1Thes 5:22 "Abstain from all appearance of evil."

Purity in Conduct:

Judges 17:6 “In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”

Conduct between the sexes

Pornography, homosexuality, fornication, adultery all contaminate our hearts/minds

1 Tim 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Joseph maintained purity when he refused to lay with Podifer’s wife in Gen 39

1Tim 5:1-4 to “Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.Honour widows that are widows indeed.

Purity in Speech:

Profanity

Exo 20:7 “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

Gossip/Slander

Prov 11:9 A hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbor: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.

Prov 11:13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

Prov 20:19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.

James 3 has a lot to say about the tongue

Purity of Appearance

Youtube video: Andy Hastings' lesson on Modesty and Dancing

Genesis 3:6-7

“Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.”

Coverings from fig leaves: (Hebrew: “haghoroth” girdles or aprons (think of a Tarzan loin cloth) God would say, this is not enough.

Genesis 3:21

“... for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.”

God clothed Adam and Eve with, some translations say “coats” but the (Hebrew: kethoneth) literally translates, “tunics.”

Many people read over this without giving it a second thought (so God made some clothes for them so they wouldn’t have to wear leaves), this is much more significant than that. This is our foundational standard for modesty — for all time.

To get a proper picture of what is described here, we need only to find out what the ancient Hebrew “tunic” looked like when Moses used this specific word, “kethoneth,” in Genesis 3:21.

The earliest forms of tunics of the ancient middle east, were made of a rectangular piece of cloth (leather or linen) folded at the middle and stitched on the sides, leaving holes at the top for the arms and a cut-out for the head. Sometimes two separate rectangles were sewn together creating the same design (these tunics covered from shoulder to knee, basically a long shirt).

Take a look at Mr. Frog. First he's dressed as God instructs - a tunic that covers from the shoulders to the knees. Then you see him dressed as many people do today. These examples do not cover enough of the body.

Exodus 28:42

God instructed: “And you shall make for them linen trousers to cover their nakedness; they shall reach from the waist to the thighs.” (In modern language: cover from waist to the knee).

Ancient language (NT Greek): (hand = wrist — think of Christ nailed to the cross through His hands = wrists) (so: thigh includes knee).

They were instructed to wear linen breeches under their robes so they wouldn’t accidentally expose their nakedness (an exposed thigh is considered nakedness).

Proverbs 11:22 Describes a jewel of gold in the nose of a pig is like a beautiful woman without discretion. Not a great visual.

Matthew 5:27-28 “Whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” This is already a temptation to many, why wear something that would create an even bigger stumbling block?

1 Timothy 2:9 Paul instructed, “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;”

How Shall I Dress?

No one tells me how to dress!
(Or so we like to say)
I’ll wear what I want to wear
I’ll dress in my own way!

The latest styles appeal to me.
(I like to look my best)
It’s no fun to different be
And stand out from the rest.

Do we not reason much like this
When the preacher dares to teach
That modesty, not fashion
Should guide our wardrobe reach?

We pride ourselves that we, not they
Determine what we wear
When fashion and it’s worldly ways
Our standards oft declare.

The question is or thus should be,
Who decides our standards here?
Do we desire to let God guide
Or the world our choices gear?

How sad ‘twill be at Heaven’s gate
To learn our dismay
We listented to the wrong fashion guide
And traveled the broad way.

For God has set the standard
By which we must abide.
Those very standards must be kept
If we live by His side.

Is being like the world about
Really worth the cost
If following the worldly life
We have Heaven lost?

We’re to be a people different.
We are children of the Lord
We’re to raise the banner higher
By our conduct, dress and word.

Think about it seriously!
It matters what you wear!
You must modestly attire yourself
In public, all times, everywhere.

Ideas for shopping:

Halftee.com - For lightweight layering under tank tops or thin straps

www.eshakti.com - Takes a while to receive but you can customize length and necklines. They are well made and last for years.

www.neeseesdresses.com - Good for special occasions. Good quality.

Bass Pro - On the pricey side - more "outdoors-y" look. Most likely to have capris and longer shorts. Can also look in men's

Stitch Fix - Subscription model. You can choose between levels of expense. You can schedule monthly or quarterly deliveries and specify the type of clothing you want. Only keep the clothes that work.

You kinda have to search but can also find good clothes at:

Resale shops