Modesty for Girls

Ah, modesty.  I feel like Billy Joel when he sings "Honesty".  "Modesty is such a lonely word..."How can we apply Biblical modesty to our lives as women of all ages?

Let's see what God has to say about modesty, and what the lack thereof causes.

"Do not love the world, or anything in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For everything in the world - the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from the Father but from the world.  The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the Will of God lives forever."  1st John 2:15-17

"You have heard that it was said,'Do not commit adultery.'.  But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart."  Matthew 5:27-28

Do we want to cause men of all ages to sin by lusting after us? 

"Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come.  It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.  So watch yourselves. If your brother sins rebuke him, if he repents, forgive him."  Luke17:2-3

Does what we wear cause men to sin by lusting after us?  We've seen that lust practically is adultery.  Why would we want to look sexy, when it would be better for a millstone to be tied around your neck and to be thrown into the sea?  

"I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God."  

1 Timothy 2:9-10

Now, does this mean that we can't braid our hair or wear nice clothes?  Or jewelry?  Of course not; we have to look at this verse in context, as we should with all the Bible.

In my Bible's notes, it says that in verse 9, this wasn't a total ban of these things.  "Paul was expressing caution in a society where such things were signs of extravagant luxury and proud personal display." - The NIV Study Bible, Zondervan 1985 version.

So let's do the modesty test.  Next time you walk into your closet, think about pleasing God, rather than pleasing men.

1.  Does this show cleavage?

2.  Is this too tight?

3.  What is my motive for wearing this?

4.  Could I wear this in front of Jesus without being ashamed?

5.  Is this too short?

6.  Would this make my brothers in Christ stumble?

Why would we want to practically give our purity away by what we wear?  Why would we want to compromise?  

"Then our sons in their youth will be like well-nurtured plants, and our daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace."

Psalm 144:12

Do we want to be like pillars to adorn a palace, or do we want to dress trashily?

We should concentrate less on what we wear, and more on serving The Lord, and being who He wants us to be.

"You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God?  Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God."  James 4:4

My ending verse is what we should ALL do, not just you, but me too.  

"Rather, clothe yourselves with The Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature."  Romans 13:14

Being Crude is Unbiblical

How many times have I wanted to do the ultimate facepalm when I hear someone taking crudely?  

Far too many times.

In the Bible, it says "But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people.  Nor should there be any obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving."  Ephesians 5:3-4

So how can we apply this to our lives?  Easily.  Don't watch shows or movies with porn.  Don't lust.  Don't be irreverent, or foolish when you talk.  Don't talk about things which should be kept private, or any excremental bodily function.  Why do we let nasty things come out of our mouths?  Why do we compromise?  "Out of the same mouth come both blessing and cursing.  My brothers, this should not be.  Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?  My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs?  Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water."  James 3:11-12

One moment we praise His Name, and the next we're crude and obscene?  You watch TV shows and movies with porn and cuss words?  

"You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God?  Anyone who chooses to be a friend to the world becomes an enemy of God.  Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the Spirit He caused to live in us envies intensely?  But He gives us more grace.  That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."  Submit yourselves, then, to God.  Resist the 

devil and he will flee from you.  Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.  Grieve, mourn and wail.  Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.  Humble yourselves before The Lord, and He will lift you up."  

James 4:4-10

It is so easy to fall into the trap of not caring what comes out of your mouth, or what you do.  

Here are ten questions you need to ask yourself before you think about talking crudely, or watching that worldly TB show:

1. Is this pure?  

2. Is this uplifting?

3. Will this bring Glory to His Name?

4. Is this something I would say in front of an old lady?

5. Would Jesus be proud of me for saying this?

6. Is this a bedroom/bathroom joke?

7. Am I being holy?

8. Am I honoring my family if I say this?

9. Is this something that I will regret later?

10. Is this something that will make another person physically uncomfortable?  

"But He Who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am Holy."  1st Peter 1:15-16

Definition of "worldly"

Worldly: of or pertaining to this world as contrasted with Heaven, spiritual life, etc.