The Truth About Modesty

The Truth About Modesty

I know when I am dressed immodest, I KNOW. No one has to tell me. I don’t have to wait for the cutting eyes of man to glance over my appearance to know when I am immodest. I don’t have to wait for my mother or a trusted friend to speak up and tell me my outfit is inappropriate. Before I leave my house, step out the door of my room, I know whether I am dressed immodest. How do I know? Because the Spirit of God already convicted me the moment I chose to put on the immodest clothing.

As a woman, this in an area that God has really had to grow me in. Growing up as a teenager I would cringe at the word “modesty.” It’s a word that I equated with “something for old women.” It was unappealing and I was disinterested in the thought and idea of being modest. I wanted to be cute, I wanted to fit in, I wanted to keep up with the trends, and I wanted to feel attractive as a woman. It was about me, my feelings, and my wants. The idea seemed silly that God actually cared about the clothing I chose to wear? Oh how wrong I was.

When I look back on things, I am absolutely ashamed at my attitude towards modesty and my unwillingness to be obedient to God in this area. I write this to you as a woman who understands, a woman who has been there, and a woman who still has to fight to overcome the temptations of the flesh to be immodest.

I want to lovingly encourage you that as women we must be modest.

It is NOT an option.

It is a God given commandment that we must follow.

“If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”

-James 4:17

What We Wear Matters

God cares about what we wear, but not just that, He cares about our hearts and attitudes when it comes to what we wear. What do I mean by this? The sin of immodesty happens within the heart. It starts there. When we choose to be immodest and wear clothing that is too tight, too short, see through, or revealing we are choosing ourselves over God. This my friend is called the ugly sin of PRIDE.

Immodesty is deliberate rebellion and defiance towards God. Choosing to be immodest is telling God, I’m choosing to wear what I want to wear in spite of what I know is right and what I know will glorify you. It’s telling God that, “I am the god of my own body, not you.” As women, sometimes we have a tendency to use our “women-ly charisma” to play the fence when it comes to our immodest dress. We say things like, “There is nothing wrong with what I have on. I have the right as a woman to be confident, to be sexy, and to love the skin I’m in!” Or “Men just need to learn how to control their eyes and their own lust. That’s not my issue.” Or “ Are you serious?! It doesn’t matter what I have on because he is still going to look and lust after me, even if I had on a long black cloak!”

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are to your own; you we’re bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”-1 Cor 16:19-20

Taking Accountability

Ladies we need to stop. Stop trying to defend our wrong behavior, and stop trying to manipulate others into thinking that God is ok with our immodest attire. Yes it is true that if a man wants to lust after us, he will. However, we need to stop focusing on a man’s lust issue in hopes of overshadowing our immodesty issue. Let God deal with that man, his heart, and his lust. We need to deal with our own disobedience and defiance towards God when it comes to being immodest. It’s not about playing the blame game, it’s about being honest about the ugliness and rebellion that is within our own hearts.

There is never a time, a season of the year, a certain occasion, or a particular event where it is ok to be immodest. NEVER. The weather should not dictate whether or not we will remain modest. It shouldn’t matter if I’m working out, going to the beach, walking down the isle at a wedding, or going to worship service. My attitude should be that of one that seeks to show reverence to God within my heart, with my body, and with my attire.

God should the object of our affection and worship, not ourselves, and not others. It is God that we should be seeking to please, no one else. God is interested in our hearts being pure and unadulterated towards Him. When our hearts are pure, genuine and seeks to reverence God, modesty will be a byproduct of that. The Spirit will lead and teach us in all things. God will help us choose attire that covers ourselves and that honors Him. If we are willing, He will help us have a heart that says yes to Him and no to our flesh.

“In like manner also, that when adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety…”

-1 Timothy 2:9

Be Encouraged

Fearless.Faithful.Following

“Your beauty is not measured on how much skin you show. Although society advertises little to no clothing that doesn’t mean we as women should do the same thing.  The most beautiful woman is a modest woman. A modest woman of heart and of body.”

-Ashley Moneet

Fearless.Faithful.Following.