What I Really Learned About Modesty

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Hello dear readers and followers! Spring is in the air, and if you read last Friday’s post, you can tell I am excited for warm weather fashion. In that post I also gave some tips on how to dress modestly. Which begs the question, what is this modesty thing all about?

I began my modesty journey last summer as I grew deeper in my Christian faith. I also wrote a blog post on the importance of modesty that you can read here. Since that time I have learned a lot about what it means to dress like a daughter of God. Some of it may surprise you, but I hope it helps and inspires you!

1. Modesty Isn’t About Preventing Lust

I think this concept baffles most Christians and is the major reason modesty isn’t taught or preached about. A lot of times we hear that the reason we should dress modestly is to protect Christian men from lust. We need to make sure to keep our chest and legs covered in order to not be a temptation.

While it is nice to think of our brothers in Christ, this isn’t really the point of modesty (I know, this shocked me too). The thing is, men are the ones who are responsible for their lust, and as this blog pointed out quite well–what is modest for one man could just as easily tempt another.

So if modesty isn’t for men, then why is it important? 

in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works (1 Timothy 2:9-10 NKJV).

I don’t see anything in this scripture about lust or sexual attraction. Actually, this seems to be Paul scolding some women for focusing on the latest and most expensive fashion trends rather than Kingdom work. The key word here is the moderation. There is nothing wrong with wearing jewelry or nice clothing, but we need to remember that there is more to life than fashion (and this is coming from a fashion blogger!).

Modesty is about not letting our clothing consume us or distract us from God. It’s about letting God’s grace and love define us rather than our appearance. I think that’s why Paul specifically wrote this to the women of that time rather than the men. We are more likely to get caught up with fashion and appearance (no matter what the time period). Again, there’s nothing wrong with looking nice and going shopping, but we have to learn moderation. This also applies to men, but this blog’s focus is on the ladies.

2. Modesty Looks Different on Everyone

We are all built differently. Some of us are taller while others are shorter. Some girls are thin while other girls are curvy. This is how God designed us, and it is beautiful! That being said, modesty will look different on all of these different body types.

For example, a pair of shorts or a skirt may cover a woman of average height quite well, but it could expose a tall woman’s body in a way she didn’t intend to! We need to dress for our bodies, and not according to the women around us. 

Modesty also looks different depending on culture. What’s modest in America is not the same as the Middle East. Culture is beautiful and to be respected. Legalistic dress codes just don’t make any sense when you take this into account.

That being said, Jesus transcends all cultures–and dressing with moderation, discretion, and dignity is to be expected of all followers of Christ. This is why we need to let the Holy Spirit to convict us and guide us when it comes to dressing modestly.

3. Modesty Makes You Feel Like a Princess

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Picture this: You’re all dolled up in a pretty dress (or nice jeans), a good jacket, and cute shoes. Doesn’t this make you feel pretty and confident? Of course it does! Sometimes all it takes to get the day rolling is getting dressed and putting on some lip gloss.

But there’s more to it than that. As a follower of Jesus Christ and a daughter of God, you are royalty. Don’t believe me?

 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9 NKJV).

Now as royalty, you can’t just walk around dressed any way you want. Take the famous Kate Middleton for example. Would she go out in booty shorts or a revealing bikini? Probably not. This is because she knows she’s royalty. Therefore she clothes herself with dignity and respect. She’s representing her kingdom and she knows it!

We can be representatives of God’s kingdom by the way we dress as well. When you get ready in the morning, put on clothes that a dignified princess would wear. Obviously you wouldn’t walk out in a ball gown, but you would dress classy and discretely (while still looking beautiful).

Remember–modesty is about humility. Our appearance should never distract us from our good works and advancing God’s Kingdom. It should enhance and complement our lives–but never overpower. If you dress with dignity, class, and grace then you will achieve a look of modesty that will inspire those around you. 

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 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 NKJV).