How do we know how to act appropriately?

• APPROPRIATE is one of the words that applies to all aspects of life—words, clothes, responses, actions, etc. How do we know what to do? What is appropriate?
• CONTENT is my responsibility or my part of the equation, what I have the power to control.
• FITS is my effort to adjust what I am doing to stay consistent with God’s Word and becomes a question of purpose and cause, what am I trying to accomplish with my content.
• CONTEXT is what is going on around me; people, place, and circumstances all are part of my context.
• For me to be appropriate or teach others how to be appropriate, I must be willing to change my content, the fit of my goals and aspirations, and my understanding of context. As you see these work together, you will notice that something could be inappropriate for several reasons—pride, ignorance, or the wrong goal. Take the time to know the heart as you encourage the lifelong effort to be appropriate.

And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them. 
Genesis 3:7, 21

The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment:
for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God. 
Deuteronomy 22:5

But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Hebrews 5:14

Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
James 1:15