God's guidelines on dress are very general: Christian women are to wear modest apparel, with propriety and moderation (I Timothy 2:9), in clothes that are not flamboyant or garish. Immodesty is exhibitionism, drawing undue attention to oneself through clothing that is provocative, suggestive, or outrageous. Yet modesty does not require drab, colorless, or tasteless dress. A Christian is a light to the world (Matthew 5:14-16), an example of balance and good taste, and should not be so out of step with prevailing fashion that she stands out like a sore thumb. Clothes can be fashionable without being immodest or peculiar, and they should suit the occasion, such as decent swimsuits for the beach, jeans for yard work, and nicer outfits for special occasions. A woman should especially strive to look nice for her husband and family. Deuteronomy 22:5 forbids cross-dressing, not women's pants designed for women, because men should look masculine and women feminine, and in this both glorify God. The meek and quiet spirit of a truly converted woman is reflected in her clothing choices (I Peter 3:1-4). She dresses appropriately and stylishly with modesty and decorum, and God looks on her heart with approval.

Sin makes people shameless and immodest, a natural development of their separation from the righteous God. The demon-possessed men wore no clothes (Luke 8:27), but after their deliverance they were clothed (Luke 8:35). Their spiritual cleanness showed in visible changes: modesty, cleanliness, and appearance all improved, as they do whenever anyone is delivered by Christ. Wherever God's truth is received, people's morals improve, and this is reflected in modest clothing.

Immodesty is presented as a manifestation of pride, seen in Isaiah 3:16, where God denounces the haughty daughters of Zion who walk with outstretched necks and wanton eyes, mincing as they go and making their ornaments tinkle. Instead of being modestly well-dressed and dignified, their whole appearance is designed to impress others and bring glory to themselves, as if to say, "Look at me! Aren't I great?" This is really a put-down of others, meant to draw attention and publicity to the one displaying herself. The same pride shows today when parents passively encourage young daughters to grow up too soon through clothing that draws attention to the wrong things, giving in to children who have been manipulated by marketers and peer pressure. The real problem is pride wanting to conform to a proud world. God's denunciation is severe because women strongly influence a nation's morality, and a nation's character is largely shaped by the ideals women hold. Pride distorts a woman's understanding of her function, leaving the choice between the role God designed and the one the world has designed. Though the burden should fall at least equally on men, women have become the last bastion of morality. God will punish this pride by stripping away the finery, ornaments, and men who use them, the very things they hold dear.

Dress and grooming are personal matters, yet they speak volumes about us as individuals and as Christians, and God expects modesty in them. The Church does not police members here, but it expects modest dress and grooming, with proper grooming setting a good example for others. Cosmetics may reveal vanity and pride (Isaiah 3:16-23; I Peter 3:1-4), and Peter's stress on modesty covers both cosmetics and dress lengths. Tattoos and other ornaments of the counter-culture may show rebelliousness, and Scripture speaks plainly against tattoos (Leviticus 19:28). Much depends on a person's attitude. As we grow in grace and knowledge, becoming more humble, modest, and holy, our involvement with questionable practices should diminish and disappear. Ornamentation is not intrinsically wrong. In Ezekiel 16:9-13 Christ decorated His own wife with ornaments, and they were wonderful as long as she displayed them to the credit of her Husband. When she took personal pride in them and used them selfishly, they became a curse (verses 14-15). Isaiah 3:16-24 likewise shows decorations taken away because of vanity and self-glory. Clothing and jewelry, like money, food, sex, and alcohol, become a stumbling block to a true Christian only when misused, abused, or over-indulged.