The Spirit of Modesty

I have recently been pondering the issue of modesty and purity, in both younger and older Christian women, which has aroused a concern in the lack of biblical principles in Christian homes, including my own. I think many followers of Christ have abandoned high standards of dress and exchanged them for clothing that reflects current culture, justifying this through many different means. But I would like to know, what does the Bible have to say about the way we dress?

A few days ago, one of my friends asked me what I thought dressing modestly meant. My answer went something like this—dressing in a way that reflects modesty and holiness, glorifying the one who instilled those aspects of character in you. Modesty is not asking how short is too short or how low is too low. Contrary to popular belief, it isn’t a set of rules one lives by so that she can leave the house. It also isn’t dressing in a sack so as to hide her beauty. Modesty is not a pompous display of self nor is it a shameful attitude towards the natural beauty women so fully possess. Sadly, young and older ladies alike find it difficult to dress in a way that is lovely but also in a way that displays their Christian values.

The world would have us focus on physical “beauty” and putting our sexuality on display by using the clothes we wear. Clothes have become a source of identity and expression. Instead of using clothes to convey the messages the world would have us proclaim, Christians should use clothes to share the good news and to live set apart from the world. Have you ever wondered why we wear clothes in the first place? I believe that wearing modest clothing is an expression of humbleness towards God. The reason why we wear clothes can be found in the very beginning, back in Genesis. You know the story, so I’ll just sum it up real quick.

When Adam and Eve sin, they attempt to hide their shame by clothing themselves with fig leaves. After God punishes them, He provides for them real clothes made to cover their nakedness. God requires us to wear clothes and to cover ourselves. By wearing clothing, we are recognizing that we are fallen, but we are also choosing to live in obedience towards God and His expectations. There is a reason why a rebellious, wild attitude often goes hand in hand with skimpy clothing. Proverbs warns young men against women who dress like prostitutes, and instead encourages them to find women who fear the Lord, who are far more valuable than rubies. We want to be the kind of women who bring joy to our men and who honor God in all that we do, even in the way we dress! Those women who have a desire to live according to the world’s fashion standards are in danger of compromising their Christian values.

The Bible tells us that where our treasure is, there too are our hearts and that we should spend time building up eternal treasures instead of worldly ones. I’ve have seen too many young and older ladies sacrifice the pursuit of godly things for the pursuit of worldly ones. We do not want to become like the Pharisees and Scribes that Jesus admonished by calling them hypocrites who were like “…whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of bones and all uncleanness.” (Matthew 23:27b) Our focus should not be on making our outward appearances “beautiful”, but rather on continually allowing Christ to restore our inward beings, permitting our hearts, full of Christ, to shine and radiate out of us, making us truly beautiful in a worthwhile way!

With this perspective, it becomes easy to condemn physical beauty and completely opt for inner beauty. Don’t get me wrong, inner beauty is the most important, for while man judges by outside appearance, God looks on the inside. But, beauty is not to be criticized! While the Bible does say that beauty is fleeting and charm is vain, it does not condemn beauty, but rather discourages the twisted spirit of seduction as portrayed by harlots in the Bible. There are countless beautiful and godly women out there, many of whom are in the Bible! Esther, Sarah, Rachel, Judith, and Abigail are just a few of the women in the Bible who were considered beautiful. The Song of Solomon is chock full of praise of physical beauty!

God is BEAUTIFUL in His essence and we were created in His very own image and likeness, making us an embodiment of God’s life and mystery and beauty. God knit you together in your mother’s womb and was and is pleased with His beautiful masterpiece! We should praise Him for we are fearfully and wonderfully made! It is He who has made us, and not ourselves! It is important to remember that, while clothing covers us in humbleness, clothing should never be used to cover us in shame, for, not only is feminine beauty appreciated in the Bible, it is praised as well!   

How exciting that it is totally possible to be beautiful and holy! As followers of Jehovah God, we know that we were made in His image, so we should dress in a way that reflects the beauty and purity of our Savior. In a way, what you choose to wear portrays who you are. If you are a follower of God who walks in the light of salvation, you will dress like it. The clothes you wear are evidence of your conviction and beliefs.

The Bible says that the most important thing that one can wear is “the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.” (1 Peter 3:4) Dressing modestly is not just covering up the body as much as possible. Modesty is the demeanor that spurs on a motivation to dress with a spirit of purity and godliness, which in itself is extremely beautiful! When we dress ourselves, we should not conform ourselves to this world, but rather we should renew our minds so that we may discern  how to dress in a way that is good and pleasing and perfect—according to God’s standards.