There are so many reasons to dress modestly. Respect for others, rid lustful thoughts, to glorify God, or maybe you are just uncomfortable with yourself. I mean really, how many of us actually keep modesty in our minds while we are shopping for clothes? Believe it or not there is biblical meaning behind it.
1 Peter 3:4(NLT) says, "You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God."
What this verse says to me is: do not allow others to know your outer beauty, but instead let your inner beauty shine all on its own. When you are beautiful on the inside, you become a precious jewel on the outside. Guess what? People notice!
1 Timothy 2:9-10(NLT) says, " And I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes. For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do."
God is so direct and He clearly wants us to be known, not for what we wear or what we look like, but by the love we have for him. If we are walking around dressing immodestly how can that possibly be a reflection of God?
1 John 2:16(NLT) says, " For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the father but are from this world." A catch phrase from the youth minister at my church always tells us " Do not conform to the world but transform to the teachings of God."
If as Christians we are constantly obsessed with the newest fads and the next big thing, we soon find ourselves consumed in making ourselves be like those who are higher according to society standards. As Christians we must step back and look at our lives and evaluate what we are doing. Are we consumed in what God is telling us and teaching us? Or are we consumed in whether or not we look like America's Next Top Model?
How are we spending our free time? Are we obsessing over whether or not this outfit is going to make him notice me? What is filling our minds and thoughts during those late night hours when we aren't working or writing that paper? These are questions I ask myself when I am evaluating my life to determine where my focus is going. If my answers are not pleasing to God and do not point to God, changes must be made. Galatians 5:16(NLT) says, "So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. The you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves."
I just recently have set standard for my clothing as well as my language. I went through and asked myself questions like.. When I wear this in public what do others think? If I answered something other than modestly I chunked it. The same with pants and even swim wear. As Christians we are to stand out from the world, and in all we do be the lamp so God can shine his light through us. So that others will see his work and receive him and his gift of salvation.
