Attire - Modest or Immodest?

"More Than Rules: Exploring the Heart of Beauty & Modesty"

by Bambi @ nurseryofthenation.com

I first noticed it when my oldest daughter Shelbi was about eighteen-months-old. If I changed her clothes into something pink and frilly, her face changed. She would make her way over to the mirror. I would say, “Pretty!” She would clap her hands, thoroughly enjoying the reflection she saw staring back at her. 

From the earliest of ages women learn to enjoy clothes. Not for their created purpose (covering), but for the pleasure they give us in adorning ourselves.

The wardrobe of a woman is no small matter. The clothing we wear is among the boldest statements we make because others cannot help but see our clothing. So whether intentional or unintentional, everyone notices whether we appear sloppy or neat, seductive or pure, plain or glamorous. It’s all laid out there for everyone else to see, like it or not. 

Our lives make public announcements. A Christian woman’s clothing should make an announcement of “good works professing godliness”, not “pride” or “sex.” But why? The function of a Christian’s good works is to glorify God.

Consider Matthew 5:16: 

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

It is self that drives us to steal glory that belongs to God alone, no matter the tactic. It is self that makes us desire the focus and attention of others, to want their admiration and praise for clever wit, high social standing or clothing that is too expensive, too tight, too short or overall improper. Incidentally, clothing that screams, “Just look at me! I’m more spiritual than you because I’m dressed in a jumper two sizes too big!” is also immodesty because it seeks to attract attention.

"The moment we glorify ourselves, since there is room for one glory only in the universe, we set ourselves up as rivals to the Most High."

~ Charles Spurgeon

The Grace We Depend On 

I am not a woman who daily achieves the perfect balance of modest speech, demeanor and dress simultaneously. I’m thankful for Christ’s righteousness that ultimately clothes me because I frequently fail in one or more of these areas. However, the admission that women, all women, struggle with the inner discipline to resist the risings of vanity and pride is no reason to throw up our hands in defeat and sweep this topic under the carpet. 

Dr. Martin Lloyd- Jones said that if the “grace” we have received does not help us to keep God’s laws, then we have not really received grace. 

By His grace, holiness and spiritual maturity can (and must) be pursued with all diligence (Hebrews 12:14) and spiritual transformation will work its way outward from the redeemed soul reflecting in our attire.