Modesty Is A Cherished Virtue

Being modest in your dressing is a great form of witness. It speaks well of the believer as it draws people to Christ. Christians are seen as hypocrites among non-believers as we preach about decency and purity but wear indecent outfit .We have to preach what we practice.

Scripture commands that we dress modestly. According to 1 Timothy 2:9-10KJV ‘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; {broided: or, plaited} But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.’ The Greek word ‘kosmios’ used in Timothy 2:9 which is translated as modesty means orderly arrangement, i.e. decoration. Apostle Paul gave advice to our dear ladies to embrace modesty. Likewise, Apostle Peter also emphasised on cherishing inner beauty than outer beauty in 1 Peter 3:3-4KJV ‘Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price..’

We can therefore conclude from the above scriptures that biblical definition of true beauty is inner beauty. Inner beauty focus on character rather than physical appearance. Traits such as humility, honesty, kindness, wisdom are example of godly traits which is more powerful than physical beauty. Outer beauty fades away but inner beauty last for long.

Jessica Rey said it well that ‘modesty isn’t covering your bodies because they are bad, modesty isn’t about hiding ourselves…it’s about revealing our dignity’. Mandy Hale stated in her book Single Woman that ‘outer beauty pleases the eye….Inner beauty captivates the heart’.

From the UN Demographic and Social statistics, divorce rate is higher in the western world. From their records over half of all marriages in U S A end in divorce. These western worlds are moving from their religious heritages which include modesty. Other nations which include Ghana are blindly coping from these western worlds.

Immodest dressing is the order of our generation because some people think when they dress in tight and short outfit it add up to their beauty but this is a false perception. They rather bring about sexual attraction and undue attention from the opposite sex which lay the foundation for adultery (Matthew 5:27-28). The word of God let me understand that woe unto the one who let a fellow fall (Luke 17:1). Men approach indecently dressed women for sexual pleasure out of lust and not love.

Immodest ladies become victim to spiritual marriages and are tag as bad girls because appearance counts. Tight dresses also increase the risk of being raped and can cause health related conditions among women.

Discernment is always necessary when buying clothes to wear. When selecting a dress you must first of all ask yourself questions like; will it draw the attention of others to me or will it attract the opposite sex? Is it too tight or short? Is it transparent or revelling?

It’s about time our ladies dressing to reveal Christ-likeness in them since we are the temple of Christ (1 Corinthians 3:16) so everything that we do should be geared towards bringing glory to His name (1 Corinthians 10:31). We as Christians are not to conform to the world but to present our bodies as a living sacrifice unto God (Romans 12:1-2) because we were bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20). We have to value ourselves and keep in mind we are living for Christ and not for ourselves. Modesty is a cherished virtue so we must uphold it.