"And there a woman met him, with the attire (clothing) of a harlot (a prostitute), and a crafty heart." (Prov. 7:10)

Nothing hurts a child of God more than being accused of dressing like a prostitute when she doesn't realize she is doing so. People often make excuses to say the sin is OK by claiming they didn't know better. Even if someone doesn't realize that they are dressing in a sexually exciting manner, it is still sinful. The Bible describes this way of dressing as "lascivious" (Gal. 5:19). Modesty is NOT a matter of tradition or society. Modesty concerns what is pleasing to God.

"Lasciviousness" or "lewdness" are the English words translated from the original Greek "aselgeia". This Greek word means more than dressing immodestly. The sin of lasciviousness also included sexy actions. Lasciviousness is "all loose behaviour, either in speech or action, tending to excite filthy desires, either in themselves or others" (William Birkett's Notes on the New Testament). W.E. Vine defines this word as a sign of "excess, absence of restraint, indecency, shameless conduct."

So what can Christians do to make sure they are not dressing and acting like a prostitute? We need to understand what dressing like a prostitute means and avoid it. To begin with, a prostitute wants to get a man to pay her to have sex with her. Therefore, she must dress in such a way that advertises her body. The clothing has to be revealing, but not reveal everything. Her body's advertisement reveals ALMOST everything. She wants to make the boy/man hungry and to start following her with his eyes and feet. The book of Proverbs describes this very well (Read Proverbs 7.) Let us now talk about what kinds of clothing reveal your body for show – even when you do not want to be thought of as a prostitute.

Clothes that are very tight -- This means the shape of your body is clearly revealed, your breasts are seen completely shaped, or the pants are so tight everyone knows just exactly how you are formed. Remember, dressing like a prostitute is not being nude. The prostitute first lures men with her body to entice them to want more. Tight clothes are a signal that says, "Look at my body." Dear sister in Christ, if your clothes make you feel sexy, then take a second look in your mirror to see if your clothes are going to make a boy or man feel sexy.

Clothes that reveal flesh -- We are not talking about someone not wearing socks or a long sleeve shirt. The flesh we are talking about is parts of the flesh that are not meant for the eyes of everyone. This would include shirts and blouses too short. When you cannot comb your hair without revealing you stomach, then it is too short. Of course, some have it showing without even lifting their arms. Then there are tops with the neck line cut way too low. (If you are in doubt about whether your top is cut too low, bend down some and look in the mirror. What do you see? Cleavage? Why do you want men to see this?) Also, there are the skirts that come up beyond the knee and with slits that go to the thigh. (Be sure and sit down in a chair to see how far up your skirt rides. Also, what can a man see if you sit with your legs apart when you are forgetful?) Finally, we have the see-through thin material that women like to wear that reveals the flesh. Fashion says bras are beautiful and no longer an undergarment to hide. Ask yourself why? Boys and men see prostitute's clothing and are capable of taking up the "ball" and running. The Bible calls this "lust in their heart" (Matthew 5:28). Do you really want to dress like a prostitute and cause a good boy to sin?

Society has made a difference between a prostitute and one who dresses like one. In God's eyes, both are sin. It doesn't matter if an innocent, virgin young girl just wants to dress like a famous movie/TV star – it is still the wrong kind of clothes. Somewhere along the way, people have grown used to thinking that dressing like a prostitute OK. The clothing stores are full of these kinds of clothes. Everyone is dressing this way. As I said earlier, when everyone is doing it, it's difficult to see the harm.

Satan knows how young people want to attract each other with their bodies. He wants you to reason like this: God made our bodies beautiful and to be desired by a young man – so it can't be wrong to make myself as pretty and desirable as possible – after all, I want to get married one day. God gave me sexy feelings – so it can't be wrong to make myself feel sexy and cause others to desire me. Besides, I like the power I feel I have over the boys and men – and God gave me that power! Did he give you these gifts to be mis-used???

DO NOT BE DECEIVED BY SATAN. The lust of the flesh (1 John 2:16) is one of Satan's strongest tools. Notice when you read this verse that all three kinds of lust are involved in dressing like a prostitute: For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever (1 John 2:16-17).

There are two wrong ways to think about a prostitute's clothing that we need to talk about:
(1) It is wrong to think that as long as no one touches you, that your clothing is okay. Jesus spoke about the sin that occurs just by looking and thinking about a woman, wanting to have sex with her (Matt. 5:28).
(2) It is wrong to think that as long as you cover the basic parts of your body, it is okay. GOD CARES HOW YOU DRESS! When Adam and Eve covered themselves with fig leaves, it wasn't enough. God gave them skins to cover them (Gen. 3:21). The Hebrew words Moses used (kuttoneth labesh) means a covering to wrap around the body.

It is important that we admit that the world understands what will encourage you to think sexual thoughts. It seems as if it is only Christians who cannot admit these facts. You and I should be concerned with matching our clothing to what should rule in our hearts (1 Tim.2:9-10). What is in your heart decides what you will wear and what you will encourage your children to wear (1 Peter 3:3-4). Let us be able to rejoice just as the prophet Isaiah rejoiced and said, "I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10).

We are to dress the way God wants and it is going to take a huge effort on our part. People who don't care if they dress like a prostitute can go to almost any store and buy whatever they see. Christians can't do that. To shop in today's clothing stores is almost like shopping in a prostitute's wardrobe! If you cannot find modest clothing, you will have to make them. Sewing is a very useful skill and you can learn to sew for Christ. Yes, dressing modestly takes planning, time and effort.

When Jesus was teaching about the kind of example we ought to set, He didn't say, "Let your bodies shine before men, so they can see your good form." He did say, "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matt. 5:16). Surely we do not want good men to be forced to look away from us, or risk being tempted to look longer, as David did upon Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11). King David was a strong man – but he was a man. You can be a strong woman who honours every man you meet.

–adapted from article by Chuck Bartlett