“When a woman veils herself in modesty, she is not hiding herself from men; she is revealing her DIGNITY to them,” this might probably be a statement that I could not forget when I think of modesty among us women.
“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;” I Timothy 2:9
A year ago, in pursuit of challenging ladies to value themselves by dressing properly, I asked a few godly men about their view on revealing clothes (such as with low cleavage, tight skirts and pants, short dresses, or anything that show off the skin) that some ladies wear. An answer from one of the godly men caught my attention. He said that:
“Ladies who wear too tight or too short clothes are not really good to look upon. Men who get attracted to ladies who dress like that are the kind of men that only seek fleshly things. They get easily attracted because of the outward appearance. They might “fall for you”, but they only do because of how you look. If you feel that wrong men get attracted to you, it could be because of how you present yourself. You dress in a way that pleases the flesh, therefore, you attract ungodly, immature men who look on the things you put emphasis on. Won’t you like to be loved by a man not because of your physical appearance but because he can see God in you? Because he knows that he can grow old with you knowing that you are beautiful within and without?”
What a very profound statement from a godly and handsome man that helps us re-evaluate ourselves. Should we “go with flow” or “swim across the current of worldly trends?” Are we bold enough to be different for the Lord?
There is beauty in modesty. It is beautiful and it always will be, because God is pleased with it. Being wary on the way we dress tells something about our hearts as women of God.
My friend shared with me how the Lord has changed her in the area of modesty. Like many of us, she also struggled with that. She used to wear shorts and above the knee dresses. Although, for her, she was not doing it to attract men, she failed to consider what others would say. She chose to wear clothes that would make her feel comfortable. It might not be short skirts and dresses, but tight clothes for her are fashionable. And, as she walks with God daily, His conviction began to work in her life.
“Even in the area of modesty, I realized that the Lord is still so much concerned with it. But, modesty is not something that someone imposes on you. It is the condition of our hearts with and in God. I came to that point where I could no longer take to wear shorts outside anymore. It is just not right deep inside. So, I stopped and the Lord is continuously working in me in this area. The bible says that I should consider others more that myself. It might be okay with me, but not with God and not with people.”
I know that as a woman, you can relate to my friend’s story. And, I am sure that most of us women have a hard time being modest in this area considering how our society and culture dictate how we should dress. In the end, she realized that we can still be modest and be fashionable.
This brings us to the very story of Adam and Eve when they, themselves, sewed fig leaves as aprons after their eyes and minds were opened realizing that they were wearing nothing (Genesis 3:7). But God took coats of skins and clothed them (Genesis 3:21). The leaves are not enough. The Lord knew how we ought to cover our body for Him. It is a reminder for us women how we must strive to be modest in the Lord. Not because others tell us so or your mentor tells you so, but God says it.
Modesty does not end with the way we wear. It is an attitude, too. And, this attitude is conveyed through our actions. I am sure that we don’t want to be a foolish woman who is clamorous, knowing nothing, (Proverbs 9:13) neither loud (Proverbs 7:11) and conducts herself improperly and wildly in the sight of God and men. All of us want to be the Proverbs 31 who believes that beauty is vain but the one who fears the Lord shall be praised. We will only be able to accomplish this through the grace of God.
“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and the Ultimate Beholder is God.” – James M. Cecy
Be beautiful in the eyes of God, the Ultimate Beholder. Our worth is not measured by how beautiful we are in the eyes of the world. Our standards are not its standards, but God.
If He is indeed the beholder, are we not so concerned with our clothing and our manners before Him? Once we are able to establish that right heart in God, then our hearts towards men will follow.
Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Our hearts content determine our outward actions.
Let us encourage one another to be different and do all for the Lord.
Let us be beautiful in the eyes of our Maker.
Guest post by: Salvz Gonzaga
Photo credit: Marian Yanes
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