Modest Clothing

Modest Clothing

Modest clothing.

What comes to mind when you read that? Dresses down to the ground? Loose, billowy clothes, that fit about like a sack of potatoes? Sleeves loose and down to your wrists? Drab, dull colors? Boring styles? Clothes from another century even?

I think the world, generally speaking, associates the words 'modest clothing' with the above descriptions.

So is it true? Well, that's a good question. And in the next few minutes I intend to explore what the Bible says about this very controversial subject. I'll also share my views and experience with you. I am not going to point fingers or criticize or judge, so don't take me wrong. Rather, the question I ask myself as I begin to write is this: "What can I say to encourage my fellow sister in her walk with the Lord?"

Paul tells us in the first book of Timothy, "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, appropriately for women who profess to worship God." (I Timothy 2:-10). I know what you're thinking. "Good deeds?! They sure won't keep me warm during the winter!"

But lets take a closer look at this. Paul says here God wants women to dress modestly and with "good deeds." Why would he say such a thing? The women of Paul's age who were in high society spent hours and hours dressing themselves. Perhaps Paul is saying that God wants women to dress modestly, and yes, be concerned about neatness and exedra, but not go 'overboard.' Rather, to surround ourselves with an aura of Godly femininity, letting our good works speak for themselves, more then the clothes we wear or how we dress our hair.

Romans 12:2 says this: "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..." What are the patterns of this world? Just look at an add at a clothing store.

But why is it important to be modest? Whats the big deal about it? Here is one of the reasons in one simple little word: GUYS.

"Yeah, right!" you say, "Its not my responsibility where he looks!" "He should keep his eyes to himself and just not look if it bothers him!"

You've probably heard that before. So why should we, as girls of God, not dress in the latest fashions of the world when everyone else is doing it?

Here's a reason: we girls will be held accountable for the way we dress, just as guys will be held accountable for their thoughts, and what they do with those thoughts. God commands us in Scripture to "be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody," (Romans 12:17). So would it be right to walk past a guy wearing shorts up to....(you get the point) and a 'saran wrap' tank top, cut low to give the best 'appeal?' No, of course not!

Look at this: our beauty shouldn't come from outward adornment, like fancy hair and clothes that are "in style." Rather, it should be that of our inner selves, the UNFADING beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit! See that?! If we adorn ourselves with gentleness and quietness, our beauty will never fade! It goes on to say that this type of adornment is of "great worth in God's sight," (I Peter 3:3,4). Don't you want to dress so you'll have great worth in God's sight? I sure do!

So what kinds of clothes would be considered "modest," you might ask. I don't know. It seems that everyone has one opinion or the other. And that's exactly what they are ~ opinions. The important thing is not listening to someone else's opinion, but to ask God what He wants you to wear.

Personally, I like to wear both dresses and jeans, though I do wear dresses most often. They are just more comfortable for me. :o) But when something comes up like a hiking trip, or a bicycle ride, or sledding in the winter, sure, I'll go pull on a pair of jeans (it feels a lot better then bunching up my skirt in my snowsuit!). What I wear basically depends on what I feel like wearing for the day!

I've decided for my personal self that a nice, comfortable pair of jeans is handy to keep in my dresser drawer. Or in my case, fourteen nice, comfortable pairs of jeans. A friend blessed me with many pairs of jeans, fourteen as I just said, and they all fit wonderfully! Praise the Lord for His many good gifts. And I love to sew, so I enjoy making modest dresses to wear.

Here is the cincher: MODESTY BEGINS IN THE HEART. It is totally a heart issue. Your TRUE beauty is that of your inner self, not what you look like on the outside, or what clothes you wear or exedra. "Like a gold ring in a pigs snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion," (Proverbs 11:22).

Physical beauty only lasts so long, but the beauty of the heart will last forever.

In closing, I encourage you, my fellow sisters, as I continue to remind myself, to clothe ourselves with the UNFADING BEAUTY of a gentle and quiet spirit. God bless you as you continue to grow closer to Him!

Love, Terra

{Note: This article was written primarily for girls, but maybe you guys can glean something from it as well!}