Modesty ~

     How short is too short? Are crop tops acceptable? Should I only wear one-piece swimsuits? Can I not follow trends? Am I sinning when I wear things other Christians say we shouldn’t?

     We can feel confused by what the culture pushes, what some Christians deem acceptable or not, and our own thoughts.

    Oxford Languages defines modesty as: “behavior, manner, or appearance intended to avoid impropriety or indecency.” Modesty is not just choosing what is appropriate to wear and what’s not, it is an awareness of what is pleasing to God and what is not, including behavior and manner.

   “Modesty is more than a fashion statement. It's a daily decision to dress like the child of God you are.” ~Anonymous

  “Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.” 1 Peter 3:3-4

     Modesty is a condition of the heart. When you dress, what is your motivation? Attention? Compliments? Acceptance? Reflect on this and ask God to search your heart. For deeper consideration, ponder this: one can be covered head to toe yet behave in a manner lacking modesty. Additionally, words can be just as immodest as a girl barely covered.

      So, what is acceptable? Well, much like movies, tv shows, and books, we all have different convictions and sensitivities. If we seek God’s Word and let Him search our hearts, He will be faithful to reveal His standards for us. Beware of self-righteousness with those standards; our convictions may be different than someone else’s, but that never makes us better or more holy.

     Quick and final note: modesty and guys. Women can get the mindset that “this is my body”, “men need to control themselves”, or “their struggles are not my fault”, however if we truly respect them, we should care about guarding their hearts as much as our own. We ought to respect men, behave in God honoring ways towards them, and ask God for hearts of compassion and understanding for them.

God bless you! <3

Tera