What is Modesty anyway?

What is Modesty anyway?

Often times as Christian young women we find ourselves being bombarded with images that portray women as overtly sexual, objectified, and immodest. Sadly, these images are the prevailing norms that girls, teens, and women tend to be shaped into, and encouraged towards. Even Christian women like ourselves who are trying to live a holy and upright life, can be pulled into the seemingly "glamorous" and "fun" ways of the world. But we know where that gets us! (See Proverbs 14:12). Modesty must be the mark by which we measure ourselves, along with  being holy, upright, honest and much more!

According to merriam-webster.com Modesty is "freedom from conceit or vanity" also "propriety in dress, speech, or conduct". Modesty is more than just maxi skirts ladies! it is a way of life, a position of the heart, lifestyle, dress, and speech. So modesty encompasses the life of any young woman of God.

So here are 3 modesty basics:

Heart

Believe it or not modesty starts on the inside and shows on the outside. One must first be saved (see Acts 2:38 John 3:1-7) before they begin the journey of creating a modest heart as unto the Lord. This "freedom from conciet or vanity" is not created by man alone, but aided by the Spirit of God and the earnest young women who wants to please God. In other words without God all is vanity, and we ourselves are vain! (See Ecclesiastes 1:2) Overtime as we seek God the Lord will create in use a heart after him.  David had similar sentiments when he said in Psalms 51:10 "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me".

Lifestyle

Modesty also is a lifestyle choice! Which encompasses your speech! Paul talks extensively about this to the church at Ephesus (Ephesians) he writes in 4:29  "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." James says something similiar, but he talks about the power of the tounge; James says "the tongue is a fire and a world of iniquity" and this is no overexaggeration what we say can affect lives in a positive or negative way (See James 3:6). We should always mind our speech in a way that represents Christ.

__________________________________Dress is an outward manifestation

 of an inner state of being.

_____________________________________________

Dress

I saved this for last, not because it is the most important of the three but the least. Dress can sometimes represent artificial holiness or modesty and look like holiness but be otherwise. A long dress and modest clothing will not be our gurantee into heaven!  being saved, living Godly and keeping His commandments will. Dress is an outward manifestation of an inward state of being. Modesty of the heart, lifestyle and conduct usually are usually a precursor modesty in dress.  Some church require that young women wear skirts at all times, and others do not, we urge young women to follow the leadership of thier pastor, who is thier head.  

This is just an introduction to more about modesty inside and out. Living for Christ is not limiting, but quite limitless, when we focus on the things that are important like the condition of our heart, or minds, prayer life, and witnessthing...these are the pieces that make up a modest woman.

 Sister Cristal, Stay Blessed!