Faith Friday: Modesty Is The Best Policy

Continuing on with the Faith Friday series for this month I thought I'd dig deeper into the topic of modesty. This is something so important for girls to grasp and put into practice in their daily living. What I'm going to share today is sort of along the same lines of what I spoke about for last weeks FF post, but a bit more extended. Last week I encouraged you to put your main focus on what it is to find your beauty from who you are on the inside, despite the fact that it's still alright to try and present the outside with as much care. A big part of having your inside "you" match your outer appearance is modesty. Like I've said before, you are a direct re-presentation of Christ wherever you go and to presenting Him as anything less than holy and worthy of respect (remember the Proverbs 31 post from the first week?) is just not right. You are sharing Christ with a world who may not even know anything about Him so if you distort the image you were created in with a tainted sense of self, it's not very helpful to them is it?
"Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman without discretion" - Proverbs 11:22
When it comes to modesty people often think "why do Christians have to be boring? What's the big deal if I wear this skirt or not? Jesus loves me for who I am inside anyways"..... well, wrong. Modesty isn't about being boring and if it bothers you that you can't dress like everyone else then we have another big issue. Other people may not know better, they may think that exposing their bodies will attract a man and that it will solve their problems but you know God is the only one who can give you a sense of worth. There's no need to dress in a way that is distasteful just because it's what everyone else does because God calls us to do something very important:
" Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you will discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect" - Romans 12:2
The Bible is very clear that as a person who is looking to build a stronger relationship with Christ you must not focus on what the world is doing because it's almost always against God's will. So being cool isn't your priority.... bringing Him glory even in how you present yourself is! Renew your mind. Dressing modestly isn't about throwing one a smock that covers you from head to toe, it's about a different attitude and outlook. Let's get one thing straight, modesty isn't just clothing! Sure, it's an important part but I think modesty is about what you're presenting to the world. It's showing love for others, speaking in a way worthy of God's presence and being humble in all things. Remember that "you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light" (1 Peter 2:9). 
One thing to keep in mind is that the idea of dressing modestly because you don't want to make a guy lustful of you is just not cool. As much as God is calling us as women to show our beauty in a way that is pleasing in His sight, He has also called the men of this generation to close their eyes to sin and keep their minds pure. The issue of dressing modestly and acting that way is not so that you can spare a man from committing adultery, but to honour Christ. Pray for the men in your communities, that God may help them also raise the standard of how they should act and view other women. Modesty is for both guys and girls! 
Something else I feel strongly about is compassion. Recently that's been on my mind and I feel like it can demonstrated in every situation. yes, you may see a poor man on the street who you can show compassion to but I think this goes for anyone you know or maybe don't that has no idea that God loves them. If you yourself have done a good job maintaining modesty in your life yet you judge and speak without love about other girls who may be struggling with this, what does that serve you? They are no less than you but they do need a good example of what modesty looks like. If they see you dressing modestly but speaking of other women in a degrading way that you shun men for doing, you're missing the whole point! Reach out to people and lead by example. God has made us beautiful, each and every one of us and he also made us to lift each other up. Learn to expect more from God than you're letting Him. If you limit God then you're missing out on a lot of what makes this life beautiful. He has planned for us to see ourselves in His image and I encourage you to share that message with people who need it. Showing off your body only gets you enough attention to temporarily fill that void, but know who you truly are in Christ? Well, that's more than a few stares and whistles will get you.
God is calling you to follow this today: "I appeal to you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship" - Romans 12:1
"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
Like I said before, dressing well and being modest can most certainly go hand in hand and the above Bible verse isn't saying that's possible but notice that the first thing mentioned that we shall adorn ourselves with is respectable apparel, modesty, self-control and good works! These things should come first and be what is seen at first glance. You can't be praying for a godly and strong marriage for your future if you're reeling guys in with your body. If that's all he sees then it will probably be very difficult strengthen the relationship if you put on a few pounds or God forbid something physically happens to you. In any case you will be God's child and you'll be beautiful but will this man treasure you as the child of God that you are if you don't look like the barbie doll he expected? I can only hope for myself and for you that the man that God has prepared for you will be attracted to how much you love Christ, your love and compassion for people and a heart that is grateful to God and desire to show the world outwardly what He has done in your life. You'd be surprised that not every guy is wanting a Victoria's Secret model! But like I said before, focus on being modest because it is what God has called you to do and the fact that a man will appreciate you for it will come naturally.  Enjoy your weekend! x