Modesty Part 2

"Modesty forbids what the law does not" this quote by Lucius Annaeus Seneca means a lot to me. There was a time when showing your ankles to a man was a scandal. Now it is perfectly acceptable for a man to see not only your ankles but also your knees and thighs. I am not saying we need to be in floor-length dresses and bonnets but I am saying that we need to take a step back and look at what we are presenting to the world. 

In 1 Timothy 2:9-10 says ^"in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works." Clothing is a big deal in our society. Looking put together can make a significant difference in certain careers. So how do we ensure that we are presenting ourselves modestly? 

I go back to the original source. Is what you are wearing modest, proper and moderate? A miniskirt in church? probably not proper. But what about when you aren't at church? A miniskirt, a cleavage bearing shirt, a bikini? One of my team members has a great take on modesty. Mrs. F says "whatever you think is modest, dial it back two and you are probably in the right direction." This has helped me to reevaluate my wardrobe more than once. 

I have had several young women say that they do not want to look frumpy or old fashioned. I understand! I have had the same thought. I enjoy putting outfits together. But this is an area where Christian women have to be extremely careful. We live in an age when clothing is almost optional. What passes for clothing now are things our grandmothers would have used for dust rags. We should take it upon ourselves to monitor what we wear. We should also hold each other accountable for our choices.

Let me be clear, being modest does not mean that you can't be fashionable! It means that you hold yourself to a higher standard. You understand that you are not your own. Christ paid the ultimate price for us. The entire reason that we are here is to help spread the word of God and to make disciples for Christ. We are different, set apart. This applies to the way we think, the way we spend our time, and the way that we cover our bodies. There is no shame in admitting that you dressed immodestly in the past. It happened, it is over. Go through and get rid of the pieces that you know aren't modest. This can be a fun afternoon activity with girlfriends! Keep 1 Timothy 2:9-10  in mind. Have your friends help you evaluate your outfits to determine if they are proper, modest, and moderate. 

We are in the middle of my thoughts on modesty. To read the previous post click here. And there will probably be at least one more soon to follow this piece, be sure to check back.