What Does the Bible Say About Modesty?

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Modesty. That word alone is enough to turn most conversations sour. It's a subject that's difficult to discuss. Why? There are so many different views on it. So many different thoughts about what (especially clothing) is modest and what isn't.

mod-es-ty---Regard for decency of behavior, speech, dress, etc.

(from dictionary.com)

What exactly is modest? What isn't? Unfortunately, the Bible doesn't make it completely clear to us what is modest or what isn't. Should we be wearing floor length skirts all the time or are pants just fine? We are given no clear answer.

The Bible does give us some guidelines, of sorts, to use when we consider modesty.

In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel...I Timothy 2:9

We are told to consider modesty when dressing ourselves. It is not an option. I've found that if an article of clothing makes me feel slightly uncomfortable, whether it be too low or too tight. It probably isn't the best thing to wear when considering modesty.

Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. Romans 14:13

This verse brings two more things to consider when thinking about modesty. We are not to be a stumbling block to our fellow Believers. This is especially important when considering our dress around men. Are we wearing this to create attention for ourselves? To make ourselves noticed? I'm not saying to go out in a feed sack or clothes with no shape, but going out in that shirt that's a tad bit too tight or that skirt that's a little higher than you feel comfortable in probably isn't the best.

But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weak. I Corinthians 8:9

This verse isn't necessarily for modesty, but I think it can be applied. Our liberty is to dress anyway we would like, but again we are told not to be a stumbling block to fellow Believers. We are to behave/dress in a way that does not cause others to sin.

One of the most common things I hear is, 'Well, it's their (meaning, men) sin. They're the ones looking.' Yes, but if we are dressing to draw attention to ourselves then we are helping them to sin. In helping our fellow brothers, we should dress to help them not to sin.

The second part of Romans 14:13 I would like to point out is let us not therefore judge one another any more. We can judge the other girl for not dressing like us. For wearing the slightly tighter shirt, the slightly tighter pants, but we are told not to judge. It's something I struggle with. Trying to build myself up because I'm the one wearing (in my mind) the modest clothes. It's not Christian-like and it's not my place to decide whether they are dressed to my standards of modesty.

Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again. Matthew 7:1-2 (emphasis mine)

It's not my place to judge how others are dressed. For how I judge others, so shall I be judged on the same thing. 

 

So remember, dear sisters, modesty is a powerful thing. I believe there is a fine line between modest and unmodest and certain clothing is most definitely unmodest. How we dress is our choice, but we are to keep in mind our fellow Believers.

Keep it classy! (and modest!)