Audio
May 12, 2010
December 15, 2009
Modesty Heart Check
It is that time of year when we get all glamored up for fun Christmas and New Years Parties. I just wanted to pass on wise wisdom from some of my favorite ladies. Below is a part of an article the Girl Talkers wrote on modesty. Please take it seriously and take it to heart when you are getting dressed to go out. I know it is difficult, I struggle too. Also if you have never listened to CJ Mahaney's message the Soul of Modesty, please do! It totally convicted me and I think about it whenever I try on clothes.
How can we know if pride is our fashion style of choice? By considering our motives: why we wear what we wear. Here are three arrogant desires that can often motivate the way we dress. I know, because I’m familiar with all of them.
1. A desire to be selfish.
I simply don’t
want to invest the time and effort required to find modest clothing. I
mean, let’s face it—it’s not easy to be modest these days! I have to
try on three times as many pairs of jeans as the girl who isn’t
concerned about modesty. I might as well go on an archaeological
dig--it’s that hard to find a stylish, attractive shirt or dress that’s
modest. Not to mention that I have to leave hanging on the rack many
things that I think would look really great on me! However, when I
grumble and complain or make excuses for immodesty, I’m putting my
selfish desires above serving others and glorifying Christ. That’s
pride.
2. A desire to show off.
I want people to
think I’m trendy. I want them to include me because of how I dress. I
worry they’ll reject me if I don’t dress a certain way. This is a
common temptation. But really, it’s just another campaign for my own
glory. I want the attention from others that I should be directing to
God instead.
3. A desire to seduce.
This is the most
serious of the three. While many women who choose immodest clothing
aren’t literally trying to seduce a guy, in it’s infancy, there can be
a desire for that lustful attention. We want to feel attractive and
desirable. However, this is sinful, and a particularly virulent form of
pride. It’s says: I’m worthy of the kind of attention that’s forbidden
in God’s Word. It tempts men to sin against God’s holiness.
If these three proud desires—to be selfish, show off and seduce—are lurking in our hearts, we must first admit to the ugly truth. Then we must repent and receive the forgiveness that comes only through Christ. And we must purpose to put on humility—first in our hearts, and then in our dress. For if immodesty is an expression of pride, then modesty is humility expressed in dress.
So how about you? Are you wearing humility today? " Written by: Carolyn Mahaney, Janelle Bradshaw, and Nicole Whitacre.
“[Do
not dress] from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more
significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own
interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among
yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus…” Philippians 2:3-5
Part One, Part Two , Part Three, Part Four, Part Five, and Part Six.
