Ladies,
I'm sure some of y'all saw this title and immediately began digging out your torches and pitchforks ready to burn me at the stake for "oppression of women." But hear me out. I want to talk Christian modesty for ladies of the 21st century!
What is modesty? I'm sure you've all heard of "the fingertip rule" for shorts and skirts. Maybe some of you were told to always have your shoulders covered. Many choose not to show their midriff. So what I'm about to say may completely shatter every idea you've ever had regarding modesty. Are you ready?
Modesty is not about the clothes you wear.
Modesty is about what's in your heart.
There's a Bible verse I want to share with y'all regarding modesty that many of you have probably already heard (numerous times).
"Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness - with good works." (1 Timothy 2;9-10).
Let's analyze this for a minute. Do you think God really cares if your hair is braided? Do you think His wrath will rain down upon you for wearing your great-grandma's pearl necklace that means so much to you?
No.
What God is telling us isn't so much about what we wear, as it is about why we wear it. For instance, I have long arms and legs, so there are zero pairs of shorts that obey "the fingertip rule." But when I throw on a pair of Nike shorts and head to my 8 a.m., my intentions are not impure. I'm not wearing those shorts in hopes that men will lust after me. I'm wearing those shorts because it's 85 degrees and I don't want to pass out wearing jeans.
Nearly every article of clothing out there (I say "nearly" because there are some wacky fashion trends today) has its time and place. Yes, you can be modest in a swimsuit. Yes, you can be modest in leggings. And yes, you can be modest wearing jewelry.
What God asks of us ladies, is that we let His light shine outward from within us. Modesty is all about the intentions of your heart. Don't worry about how "hot" you look, or whether you're "trendy." As Christian ladies, our first concern should be how we present our inner selves. How are we speaking? How are we acting? Are we finding opportunities to bring up God in everyday conversation?
So don't worry about looking "sexy" in front of your crush. Trust me, you don't want a man who is only attracted to your body. You want a gentleman, who guards your heart and seeks the Lord in order to make your relationship stronger.
So go ahead and braid your hair, and wear the jewelry. Just remember not to get too caught up in the world around you. Remember ladies, we are in this world, but we are not of this world. We have a Heavenly Kingdom awaiting our arrival, and a Heavenly Father who loves us with all of His heart.
In God,
Anna
