I AM A CHRISTIAN – MODESTY!

This is a statement used by many people around the world, but why? 

Christianity is known to be one of the largest religions, with its core doctrines relegated to the background and tagged “old-fashioned” in this present age. One of the core doctrines of this faith of ours is MODESTY. 

Modesty, sometimes known as simplicity, is a mode of dressing and deportment that intends to avoid encouraging “lustful thoughts” and “carnal desires” in others. 

It is a known fact that short and skimpy outfits project “lustful thoughts” and “carnal desires” in others. Obviously, we are addressed by what we wear; therefore, our outfits should speak Christ. The statement “BECAUSE I AM A CHRISTIAN” is enough reasons for us to say “NO” to some outfits.

Modesty has a lot more to do with the condition of our hearts than with the specifics of our wardrobes. Even as God pays attention to the inner part of a man, He also used Apostle Paul to warn us about extravagant and unholy dressings. In 1 Timothy 2:9-10, Apostle Paul admonishes women to dress in a way that is in alignment with their Christian character: Modest and Sensible. 

9 I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 

10 but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

1 Timothy 2:9-10 NIV

9 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,

10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.

1 Timothy 2:9–10 ESV 

9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;

10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

1 Timothy 2:9-10 KJV

The Bible had its original text in Hebrew for the Old Testament and Greek in the New Testament. Apostle Paul used three Greek words to help understand what godly dress involves. According to Apostle Paul, a lady’s choice of clothing was to be “KOSMIOS” (respectable), “AIDOS” (modest), and “SOPHROSUNE” (self-controlled).

The idea of modesty and the idea of reverence are intertwined. We are to worship God with modesty; that is, with proper respect and regard. Our Lord wants His GIRLS to be stunningly beautiful, and He repeatedly stresses that a woman’s beauty is something that begins on the inside. 

3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.

4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

1 Peter 3:3-4 NIV

3 Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel

4 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

The heart is where we put on Christ and His clothing. The righteousness of Christ is the clothing that we put on for others to see. 

14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

Romans 13:14 NKJV

14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.

Romans 13:14 NIV

What we wear on the outside should be befitting or “proper for women who profess godliness.” 

10 but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

1 Timothy 2:10 NIV

10 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.

1 Timothy 2:10 NKJV

The “exterior” should express and match the “interior,” because in most cases, you are what you put on.

However, the standard of dressing in this generation of ours is despicably low. The sentence ‘I am a Christian’ is enough reason from a Christian girl’s point of view, the subtle pressure on us as females is mind-blowing. We get subtly pressured by parents or mass media to either dress modestly and godly or “show-off” with intentions to encourage “lustful thoughts” and “carnal desires,”  which in turn make people lost in imagination, lustful imaginations” and we forget that our dressings should portray our (heavenly) Father.

It is not enough to say you have good intentions. I have always known this, but I didn’t learn it until recently; it is not enough to say you have good intentions, and this reminded me of something I read, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”

The intention to engage in good acts can fail, and if our claim of good intention, when acted upon, can fail, it points out the principle that there is no merit in good intentions unless they are acted on.

It is essentially saying that certain people might have good intentions but not act on them, which can lead to negative outcomes, or their noble intentions may result in unintended, negative outcomes.

Good intentions are useless until they are expressed in appropriate actions. – Napoleon Hill

Continue Reading: The Road to Hell Is Paved with Good Intentions – Means What Exactly? 

Definitely, you cannot do modesty (all) in your own strength and help. One way to avoid being lost in this wave of immodesty is to include your “Helper” in the process. The Holy Spirit cares about your clothes as our body is his temple. He has a vested interest in making sure you adorn your body in a way that honours Christ.

Nota Bene: God was the first person to cloth man in the right way and He still remains the one who knows how best a man should be clothed (Genesis 3: 21). 

Credit: Peculiar

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I love how my friend, Peculiar ended this article with Genesis 3:21

21 Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.

Genesis 3:21 NKJV

21 The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.

Genesis 3:21 NIV

21 And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife.

Genesis 3:21 NLT

You know what might not be clear and obvious from Genesis 3:21? It is that before God clothed man, he had to kill an animal, in other words, there had to be bloodshed before clothing, and this a type and shadow of the death of Christ and the covering of the believer. I AM A CHRISTIAN IS A GOOD ENOUGH REASON TO SAY NO TO UNGODLY AND UNEDIFYING CHARACTER. – Collins (Value Faith)