Modesty, it's such a touchy subject. For some reason, people get all antsy (convicted?) when you begin to talk about how you should dress. God does call us to live a life that is set apart. Despite what you've been told, God does care about your outward appearance. But I'll save that for another post.
So, don't get all sour faced on me, because I'm gonna skip the 'clothesline' and we're gonna go right into talking about your inward. While modesty is so often associated with the outward appearance, I think we sometimes let the graveness of modesty in attire outshine the importance of a modest attitude.
We are to hold ourselves to a standard of modesty, and not just a set of rules. Appearance and demeanor are of equal importance and go hand-in-hand. Because if you don't use them together, they can quickly cancel each other out. As Christians, we should promote modesty from the inside out.
Modest: a. having or showing a moderate or humble estimate of one's merits, importance, etc.; free from vanity, egotism, boastfulness, or great pretensions. b. free from ostentation or showy extravagance. c. having or showing regard for the decencies of behavior, speech, dress, etc.; decent.
5 Ways to Promote Modesty, Other Than Your Clothing
1. Be humble
"God resisteth the proud, but gives grace to the humble" 1 Peter 5:5
Being humble is one of the most important attributes of a Christian. I read something recently that said "The quickest way to taint attractiveness is with a bad attitude." The Bible says to "humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up". Let the Lord prove you before people. Being proud within yourself only promotes arrogance- and nobody likes a Peter Proudsy.
2. Don't be vain
"Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised." Proverbs 31:30
"You're so vain, I bet you think this post is about you, don't you?" O.K. I'm done.
But really, don't be so vain. Did you know that one of the definitions for vain is "foolish"? Nobody wants to be labeled as a fool. So don't be conceited. Be graceful, show a sense of courage, and it's okay to have a bit of confidence, but prove your humble roots. There's nothing more beautiful than a girl who's confident and strong within herself, who also doesn't need to prove it to anybody.
3. Behave
"Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work." Titus 3:1
Rules are put in place for a reason and you're there to obey them. They aren't meant to be broken- unless you're talking about fashion, then wear that white after Labor Day. Being a rule follower shows that you respect authority, and yourself. It shows that you are responsible and a good person. You're actions speak louder than your words, act like it matters, prove that it matters.
4. Be slow to speak
"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:" James 1:19
As a young person, I learned this the hard way. I was always ready to speak up, share my opinion, defend my opinion, openly debate, even at the cost of losing my cool. What kind of witness is that? I had to learn that sometimes, you just keep your mouth shut. When someone always has an answer, or a comment, people begin to lose confidence in the words that they speak. Whether they are right, or wrong, their words hold no merit because they fall on deaf ears. Let your words be led by the Holy Ghost, and not so much flesh.
5. Be teachable
"Poverty and shame [shall be to] him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured." Proverbs 13:18
Johannah is gonna 5 this year and we started homeschool a few weeks ago, which she loves. But, you know what I love? When she actually sits and listens to the directions, and then follows them. Not when she talks over me and wants to do her own thing. When she is teachable, she learns. Being teachable shows that you don't know it all and you don't have it all figured out. It proves that you're willing to learn, you're able to listen, and you respect the adviser.
Girl Defined: God's Radical Design for Beauty, Femininity, and Identity
Cute Floral Dress (Ivory Watercolor Short Sleeve)Set-Apart Femininity: God's Sacred Intent for Every Young WomanIconic Luxe Women's A-Line Short Sleeve Midi Dress
Don't allow modesty to become a just rule of thumb, but allow Christ to use it to shape your life through His leading. Use that teachable spirit to be humble to His direction. Let modesty become a lifestyle, not a standard.
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16
