Going commando

[TruthSeeker123]

There are people who don't always wear underwear, who go commando. However, I read in the Bible (1 Pet 2:5,9) that God calls us to be a royal, holy priesthood continuously offering sacrifices of praise before God. Now the priests in the Old Testament were expressly told to wear linen breeches, i.e. underwear, so as to cover their nakedness (Ex 28:42; 39:28; Lev 16:4; Eze 44:18). The Lord required them to wear linen and not wool so as to minimise sweating, I guess. [TMI edited out.]

What is your understanding? The reason I ask is because "the prophecy of the scripture is no matter of private interpretation." 2 Pet 1:20.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

[Gail]

Intriguing conversation starter!

Heed the Bible... It is a good book :)

[Tom Wetmore]

I have to agree with Pam on this one.

If you are a priest wearing a robe and have temple duty, by all means put those undies on. Otherwise you are free and clear to hang loose...

But you might want to refrain from dancing like David did. It could expose you to criticism... among other things...

[Nan]

[TruthSeeker123]

Sorry for embarrassing you. I asked the question here because it's such an embarrassing and taboo subject. And thank you for the advice. It is much appreciated. :)

[cricket]

There are materials that will wick sweat away...

[Gibs]

That is right, cricket and those are especially needed when it very cold out. I've been an outdoorsman all my life and all your outer cloths have to pass the warm moisture of your body out through too.

[olger]

"Outdoorsman."

Non-politically-correct term.

I like that.

og

[TruthSeeker123]

Thanks for your input too,Olger, Gibs and Cricket.

I guess what I want to know is: Is going commando a sin based on the context provided in the OP?

[Green Cochoa]

Here a sin which you might wish to avoid if "going commando" (a term I'd never heard before).

"Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon." (Exodus 20:26)

Yes, that's the same chapter where God gives the Big Ten.

Revelation has this famous message: "I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see." (Revelation 3:18)

I don't think God wants us to expose ourselves. If you can maintain your modesty, I don't see any Biblical issue. If, however, something happens and you find yourself in a compromising situation, it may be that you should have worn a little more.

As I see it, health of spirituality precedes, by a small margin, health of body. They affect each other. But ultimately, if someone sees you and is tempted to impure thoughts, it is a spiritual/moral issue. It would be more important to maintain one's modesty than to be concerned for one's comfort, if the two should ever be in conflict.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

[olger]

It isn't a serious moral issue -- it could be connected to one tho.

[Naomi]

YES!!!

[TruthSeeker123]

Thank you all for your input. You've given great food for thought. And sorry for the TMI! I didn't know who else to ask about this as its pretty much a taboo subject. Once again thank you for your input.

Olger, what moral issue do you think this could be connected to?

[Gail]

A lot of famous people could benefit from a Bible study on this...

[TruthSeeker123]

That is true, Gail.

[M. T. Cross]

I guess what I want to know is: Is going commando a sin based on the context provided in the OP?

Absolutely! As is putting on your left sock first, wearing a button down shirt with the top button undone, and wearing coloured sunglasses.

All of these things lead to sexual deviancies such as non missionary type of sex with lights on. This is one of the first steps to demonic possession. BE WARNED!

[Gregory Matthews]

So the solution is: ? ? ?

Let me propose one:

1) Let us start out with the thought that whether sin or not depends upon whether the one without clothes was male or female.

2) Let us establish in each SDA Conference in the world (To get it going, we could begin with North America.) a Department (We have the Youth Department, so why not?) of Unexpected Embarrasements.

3) That department would establish representatives in each congregation in the Conference. Those representatives would men of mature experience.

4) Their function would be to assist the congregation by determining whether any attempting to enter a congregational meeting were so lacking in their dress.

5) Those so lacking could be identified to the congregational Board of Elders and promptly counseled on proper dress and deportment.

Gentlepeople, the solution is at hand. :)

[TruthSeeker123]

Your sarcasm is unnecessary and quite childish, Gregory Matthews and M.T. Cross. Does Paul not say that we should have compassion on those of weaker faith when speaking about what is lawful and about food offered to idols?

Would it not have been better to have just said: "It doesn't really matter, TruthSeeker123. As long as you don't breach modesty, it's alright. And you know, that doesn't apply to us anymore since we don't wear robes and offer sacrifices in a temple or in the Tent of Meeting. As long as you observe proper hygiene you aren't breaking any moral laws. [Ellen White in Education equates hygiene/health laws with the moral law.]" Wouldn't that have been more Christlike?

And to everyone else who commented, I am grateful for your comments and your patience. I can be pedantic sometimes, as with this question. Thank you for suffering me.

Aside from personal reasons as stated in the OP which was TMI, I am studying modesty because I am trying to make sense of things. As you know very well, there are people who have taken George Matthews' suggestion to heart and styled themselves modesty police officers. Although I am not one of them, and never want to be, I find the lapse in modesty and the conflicting views of modesty in our society very interesting especially in the Adventist Church. This thread was just one of the points one has to cover albeit from a personal stand point.

So thank you for your time and patience once again.

TS

[Gregory Matthews]

Truth Seeker: My response was not directed toward you as I considered you to be sincere in your question.

My response came from two directions:

1) The response of M.T. Cross.

2) The fact that there are males in the SDA Church who seem to think that they should be able to direct what women wear.

3) There are some who believe that while women should be given (usually by males)directions on what to wear, males get free reign to wear whatever they wish.

NOTE: I guess that is three rather than two.

So, Truth Seeker, I apologize if you in any way took my response personally. It was not directed at you.

However, I do think that my response, as I have explained it above, raises some valid points that should be considered. While M. T. Cross can speak for himself, I do think that he makes some valid points.

[ClubV12]

Gregory, not all males get a free ride. My local Church has a few outspoken folks who have counseled me against my neck tie. Actually, I wear a bow tie, but they make no distinction as they see either one as to showy.

They haven't stopped there,,, I've been counseled about my suit coat as well. OK, I agree, it is rather nice, it fits nice and it looks great. Especially compared to some that prefer jeans and logging shirts, which are fine with me, just sayin'. I prefer to dress the best I can when I'm coming to meet the King.

...and don't get me started about the car, sometimes I wonder if I should park out back, down the block or just walk to Church.

But it's OK, these same folks find fault with just about everything else as well.

[Gail]

I think that bow ties seem a bit eccentric, but unless it is lit up with lights and spins I wouldn't think too much of it.

:)

[Gail]

Well, Truthseeker, I am thankful that you had the nerve to ask others' advice on such a delicate topic. Sometimes I wonder if men have sensitivity about such issues.

[cricket]

I sure wish we all had orange jumpsuits and shaved heads. Then Christians might not give a hoot about what other Christians are wearing.

[TruthSeeker123]

Thank you, Gail. Gregory Matthews, thank you for clearing up the misunderstanding.

Regarding the modesty police (who not only monitor one's state of undress but one's best as GM and ClubV12 pointed out), we just have to love them. If we don't we become just like them.

And yes, both men and women have a role to play in modesty since modesty is one of the manifestations of the Golden Rule. By being modest we watch our brother's/sister's back and to a certain extent limit pride. That's not entirely correct. Modesty is the result of humility and dignity which Christ imparts to us when we come to Him in faith. Therefore, there is no place for pride in modesty since modesty negates pride but reinforces godly dignity.

(Sorry for rambling. I get carried away sometimes.)