BE MODEST. TIME TO SHUN THE DEVIL!
In today’s culture modesty is totally out of style. The phrase that I’d say best describes the current trend would be “less is more – show your skin.”
Skin is everywhere: billboards, magazines, social media – everyone everywhere seems to be attempting to show off as much skin as possible and draw as much attention to themselves as they can.
The American culture is constantly putting the wrong message into girls’ heads. “If you don’t flaunt what you’ve got, guys are going to pass you over and move on to the skin-revealing, midriff-baring, hottie.”
You probably already know this, but I’ll say it anyways: Guys are extremely visual.
I believe that men are 100% accountable for where they put their eyes, and what they do with what they see once it enters their mind. But I also know this: it sure is a blessing and encouragement when a woman makes the effort to dress modestly.
A woman who doesn’t reveal as much skin as she can shows love and consideration for the men around her striving to pursue godliness.
You might be asking right now, “Well, sure, your opinion is that women should dress modestly. But does the Bible talk about it?” Not surprisingly, the Bible has a good deal to say regarding modesty!
Here are a few verses that speak to the issue of modesty:
“Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control…” (I Timothy 1:9).
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (I Corinthians 10:31).
“But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28).
Modesty is Biblical!
It shows that a woman understands who she is in Christ and that she knows she’s valued by God. A woman’s body is beautiful and amazing. There’s no embarrassment in how different the shape of a woman’s body is from a man’s.
Modesty doesn’t hide the difference, it clearly acknowledges it with the correct attitude and focus on God’s creative differences in body shape. Immodesty focuses on the body with the wrong attitudes of lust, pride, and self-focus.
Think about this too: your body is for your husband’s eyes.
It shouldn’t be used as eye-candy for just anyone. Proverbs 11:22 says, “Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman without discretion.” Discretion is “the quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing offense or revealing private information.”
Wow! Did you catch that?
Discretion happens when a person chooses not to reveal private information. It’s so easy for a little extra skin or those short shorts to be a distraction for a guy. A lot of what girls today are showing of their bodies was never meant to be shared with the world.
Listen to what Matthew 18:7 says. “Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes.”
Wow.
Do you, as a Christian, want to be responsible for dressing in a way that might tempt a guy pursuing godliness? I hope not!
So what are some practical things you can do to help us guys out?
Dress modestly! Cover up the cleavage, ditch the short shorts, and go for some fashionable, but modest, clothing. Convictions in this area will differ, but I think we can all agree that clothing which blatantly draws attention to certain parts of your body isn’t modest. Do the mirror check before heading out the door.
Think twice before posting that photo to social media. Are you holding your photos on Facebook and Instagram to the same standards you yourself hold in real life? Could the photos you post cause others to stumble? Here’s a great post by Kristen about seductive selfies that will challenge your posting standards.
Ask yourself this catchy little phrase: “Is it too high at the bottom, too low at the top, or too tight around the curves?” Then respond appropriately.
Modesty truly comes down to an outward expression of your heart.
A girl can dress with a floor length dress and long-sleeved turtleneck, and still be completely immodest in spirit and attitude and the way she carries herself.
Rules and regulations won’t guarantee modesty – you need to get to your heart attitude.
I Corinthians 6:20 tells us to “…glorify God in your body.”
The next time you go to put on those shorts with the 2 inch inseam, or the shirt that reveals cleavage, ask yourself, “Is this really glorifying to God? Will it direct people’s thoughts towards God, or will it lead them somewhere else with their thoughts (and eyes)?”
Remember your ultimate end is to honor God with every single thing you do.
In today’s culture modesty is totally out of style. The phrase that I’d say best describes the current trend would be “less is more – show your skin.”
Skin is everywhere: billboards, magazines, social media – everyone everywhere seems to be attempting to show off as much skin as possible and draw as much attention to themselves as they can.
The American culture is constantly putting the wrong message into girls’ heads. “If you don’t flaunt what you’ve got, guys are going to pass you over and move on to the skin-revealing, midriff-baring, hottie.”
You probably already know this, but I’ll say it anyways: Guys are extremely visual.
I believe that men are 100% accountable for where they put their eyes, and what they do with what they see once it enters their mind. But I also know this: it sure is a blessing and encouragement when a woman makes the effort to dress modestly.
A woman who doesn’t reveal as much skin as she can shows love and consideration for the men around her striving to pursue godliness.
You might be asking right now, “Well, sure, your opinion is that women should dress modestly. But does the Bible talk about it?” Not surprisingly, the Bible has a good deal to say regarding modesty!
Here are a few verses that speak to the issue of modesty:
“Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control…” (I Timothy 1:9).
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (I Corinthians 10:31).
“But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28).
Modesty is Biblical!
It shows that a woman understands who she is in Christ and that she knows she’s valued by God. A woman’s body is beautiful and amazing. There’s no embarrassment in how different the shape of a woman’s body is from a man’s.
Modesty doesn’t hide the difference, it clearly acknowledges it with the correct attitude and focus on God’s creative differences in body shape. Immodesty focuses on the body with the wrong attitudes of lust, pride, and self-focus.
Think about this too: your body is for your husband’s eyes.
It shouldn’t be used as eye-candy for just anyone. Proverbs 11:22 says, “Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman without discretion.” Discretion is “the quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing offense or revealing private information.”
Wow! Did you catch that?
Discretion happens when a person chooses not to reveal private information. It’s so easy for a little extra skin or those short shorts to be a distraction for a guy. A lot of what girls today are showing of their bodies was never meant to be shared with the world.
Listen to what Matthew 18:7 says. “Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes.”
Wow.
Do you, as a Christian, want to be responsible for dressing in a way that might tempt a guy pursuing godliness? I hope not!
So what are some practical things you can do to help us guys out?
Dress modestly! Cover up the cleavage, ditch the short shorts, and go for some fashionable, but modest, clothing. Convictions in this area will differ, but I think we can all agree that clothing which blatantly draws attention to certain parts of your body isn’t modest. Do the mirror check before heading out the door.
Think twice before posting that photo to social media. Are you holding your photos on Facebook and Instagram to the same standards you yourself hold in real life? Could the photos you post cause others to stumble? Here’s a great post by Kristen about seductive selfies that will challenge your posting standards.
Ask yourself this catchy little phrase: “Is it too high at the bottom, too low at the top, or too tight around the curves?” Then respond appropriately.
Modesty truly comes down to an outward expression of your heart.
A girl can dress with a floor length dress and long-sleeved turtleneck, and still be completely immodest in spirit and attitude and the way she carries herself.
Rules and regulations won’t guarantee modesty – you need to get to your heart attitude.
I Corinthians 6:20 tells us to “…glorify God in your body.”
The next time you go to put on those shorts with the 2 inch inseam, or the shirt that reveals cleavage, ask yourself, “Is this really glorifying to God? Will it direct people’s thoughts towards God, or will it lead them somewhere else with their thoughts (and eyes)?”
Remember your ultimate end is to honor God with every single thing you do.
God bless you too
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