What is "True Modesty"? Part II

 Modesty seems to be the new topic to discuss, especially if you're a conservative, Christian, homeschooled young lady. At times, it seems like everyone is discussing it, talking about it, reading about it, trying to implement it into their lives... And everyone seems to have an opinion on the topic. And this is mine. 

Disclaimer #1: I'm not going to give you a fix-everything list of rules & regulations. I don't think that is what is needed here. That will fix nothing, as they're not all applicable to all of us. So I'm going to use a lot of Scriptures & references & leave you to work out the implications in your own life.

Disclaimer #2- This is mainly written towards my female friends, although I would hope some of the young men can glean from it also.

Caution- So many times, we as humans, think "Oh! I wish so-and-so could read this!" or "[That person] really needs to apply this to her life" instead of seeing that it is really us that needs to hear the Word in the first place! So, I strongly encourage you to pray through this, asking God what you can learn from this, what He's trying to teach you through this...

Alrighty, that aside, jumping in, feet first:

What is "True Modesty"?

What does Modesty "look" like?
(Part II) 

 This is not something that I approach lightly. I have been reading on the subject of modesty, man & woman's God-ordained roles, dating versus courting etc for many years.
 
1) Modesty is relevant to us today.
 
Otherwise I wouldn't be writing this article in the first place! I think that modesty should be even more important to us today, than possibly ever before in history. Because we live in such a sensual, sexual, over-exposed, desensitized nation. And because we are Called to something Better. (1 Peter 1:15-16).


2)  "How close can I get to the line [of compromise] without actually crossing it?"


I think some of my readers are asking questions like "Okay, so how little modesty can I exhibit in my life & still have fun in life?" That appears to be very similar to asking the question, "What is the least I can believe & still be a Christian?" [which is a real title to a real book. View my response to that book here]. It's like asking "How close can I get to the fire & not be burned?" (Proverbs 6:27-28) Or "How far is too far?


To me, those are the wrong sort of questions to be asking. We should instead be asking "How much can I glorify God with my life? What areas do I need to grow & change in, to become more like Christ?" And I think that modesty is one of those areas that we can grow in.


3) So what do you believe?


Personally, I say the more modesty, the better! I mean, think about it: "Can one really be too modest?" And what consequences would there be in that? More holiness? More godliness? Yikes! Such scary things to behold!


 Now, I'm not saying that we all need to don a hajib or a burka. Or dress like the Amish do or the Puritans did. Although I will say that my natural inclination is towards more conservativeness than liberality, especially when it concerns dress.


4)  Beauty was created by God!


Nor am I saying that beauty (or a natural desire or inclination towards it) is a bad thing. Beauty was created by God! And blessed by Him (Genesis 1:31)! If anything, we should be striving to be more beautiful, to better glorify our Creator!


5) Inner beauty is more desirable than "outward adornment."

"A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more desirable than rubies..." - Proverbs 31:10

God judges our heart. He doesn't look at the things man does (1 Samuel 16:7). For more reading, please see 1 Peter 3:3-4, Proverbs 31:30, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, Galatians 5:22-23, Matthew 5:8, Romans 8:6, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 etc)


6) You can wear modest clothing & still have a very impure heart.


I have seen this portrayed in my own life (& those of others around me). The clothes that you choose to wear can oftentimes cover a very black, sinful heart.


"Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks..." - Luke 6:45b

So,what do your words, attitudes & actions portray about the state of your heart?
If people didn't know that you were a Christian, what would they think based on how you live?

 7) No Condemnation

 “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you." - Matthew 7:1-2

 Although I am more conservative myself, please understand that I am not judging your dress or attitudes. I am just examining my own soul & am making this information available for contemplation & dialogue.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this subject. Do you agree or disagree with my statements? If so, why? Do you think modesty is important today, to you? Why or why not? Thanks! :)

Also, if you were intrigued by this research & would like to more reading, please let me know & I will recommend some resources for you.

Read Part I here- "Why Modesty? Why should I be modest?"