A Call to Modesty

As you and a close friend are chatting over coffee at a local coffee shop, she asks you a question.  “I know you dress modestly, but isn’t it hard when those around you don’t?  Why exactly do you dress modestly?”  You knew this question would come up eventually, so you begin to explain the importance of modesty, we are called to modesty, and that modesty is a matter of the heart.

<<Is modesty important?>>

When you dress modestly, you are helping the young men (also your brothers-in-Christ) out.  Job 30:31 says:

“I have made a covenant with my eyes;Why then should I look upon a young woman?”

It is an understatement that men have a huge difficulty when it comes to looking at ladies.  But why make it difficult for the Godly men, who have made the same covenant with their eyes as Job did, by wearing seductive articles of clothing?

This doesn't just apply to young women, but to young men as well.  Christian ladies have also made a covenant not to look at a young man!  So why continue wearing shirts with cut-off sleeves, or your baggy pants down to your ankles?  While tight, seductive clothing draws the wrong attention to you young men, sleeveless shirts and pants to your ankles draws the wrong attention to us young ladies.

Modesty also reflects to others that you desire to be different, and it could be a great way to share your faith.  I’m not saying, “Dress modestly in order to get attention”, because then you are doing it for the wrong reason.  But remember, you may be the only “Bible” people may ever read!  When others see that you don’t dress like others around you, they will start looking at other aspects of your life, and may eventually come up to you and ask what is different about you.

You will also be respected when you dress modestly!  This is the reason why: when you dress modestly, it seems to challenge men and young men (specifically) to treat you like a lady and give you the respect you deserve.  Again, I’m not telling you to dress in order to get respect…..I’m simply telling you this, because it’s a blessing that comes with this decision.

<<Are we called by God to modesty?>>

God desires His children to dress modestly….we know this because of His command in Deuteronomy 22:5:

“A woman shall not wear man’s clothing, nor shall a man put on a woman’s clothing; for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord your God.

If He didn’t care about what we wear, or how we dress, then He wouldn’t have added that commandment in the Bible!

1 Timothy 2:9 says:

“Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments,”

Paul wrote to Timothy and specifically told him that the women were to wear “proper clothing, modestly and discreetly”!  “What is proper clothing?”  Proper clothing would be, a skirt to the knee cap (or longer), a ¾” sleeve shirt, a v-neck shirt with a lace camisole (with adjustable straps) underneath, flats (instead of high heels), etc.

Like I said before, if modesty wasn't so important to God, then He wouldn't have had it added in the Bible.

As women (and men), we are to obey the call to modesty…not because Alisha is calling us, but because God has called us!

<<Modesty is a matter of the heart?>>

To dress modestly, your heart has to be ready, otherwise, you won’t be happy, and you will constantly want to go back to wearing the seductive clothing.

I’m not saying the devil will never come to you and try to make you discontent in obeying the call to modesty, because he will.  The devil will always bring thoughts to your head about “wearing pants is a whole lot more convenient” or “if you wear pants, you will have more friends” or “wearing pants will make you ‘fit in’”.  The devil doesn't want you to obey the call to modesty, because you are a step closer to conforming to Christ (and he doesn't want that).

God wants your heart to be in the right place when you obey His call to modesty.  He wants you to do it because He’s called you to it, not because you have to.  He wants it to be your conviction, not the conviction of your conservative friend, but you’re doing it because she wants you to.

If your heart isn't ready to obey the call to modesty, then God doesn't want you to heed the call.  He wants your heart to be ready….however, God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called!  If He’s calling you, He will make your heart ready for what He’s calling you to!

<<Is modesty required?>>

To be honest…I wish it was….then the world would be closer to being a better place!  But to answer the question, no, it’s not required!

You will not go to Hell, just because you decided that you didn’t need to obey the call to modesty!  You only go to Hell if you refuse to heed His call to Salvation (but that’s a completely different topic)!

God doesn't force anyone to dress modestly; He wants a willing heart to obey His call!

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So after you finish answering your friends’ questions, she seems to understand all you said.  As you two go your own ways, you silently pray that God will convict her, and that He helps her obey…the call…to modesty!

In HIS grace, Alisha