The Soul of Modesty

Yesterday I listened to a most excellent message on modesty by C.J. Mahaney.  Pastor Mahaney brought out points in ways that I had never thought of before.  It  was such a blessing.  Modesty may not be an issue for you.  Maybe you could use this message to minister to others, perhaps a daughter, friend, sister, neighbor, etc.  I highly recommend it to all.  Here are some highlights from the message.

• Any biblical discussion of modesty begins by addressing the heart, not the hemline. We must start with the attitude of the modest woman.
• Modesty means propriety. It means avoiding clothes and adornment that are extravagant or sexually enticing. Modesty is humility expressed in dress. It’s a desire to serve others, particularly men, by not promoting or provoking sensuality. 
• Immodesty, then, is much more than wearing a short skirt or low-cut top; it’s the act of drawing undue attention to yourself. It’s pride, on display by what you wear. 
• There’s an inseparable link between your heart and your clothes. Your clothes say something about your attitude. If they don’t express a heart that is humble, that desires to please God, that longs to serve others, that’s modest, that exercises self-control, then change must begin in the heart.
• For modesty is humility expressed in dress. 
• Godly men find modesty attractive. They appreciate women who dress with self-control and restraint. They’re grateful for women who serve them by helping them fight the temptation to lust. 
• Ultimately, fathers, your job to raise a modest daughter culminates and concludes on her wedding day.
• Notice in 1 Timothy 2 that Paul goes beyond addressing a woman’s apparel. He says he desires “that women should adorn themselves … with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works” (2:9–10).
• Adorning yourself with good works means less time shopping and more time serving.  So, which are you more preoccupied with — shopping or good works?
• Modesty is important because of the gospel of Jesus Christ. That’s why Paul is concerned about it. He isn’t simply a “cultural conservative.” This isn’t Paul’s version of The Book of Virtues. For him, the issue of modesty is about the gospel.
• The woman who loves the Savior avoids immodesty because she doesn’t want to distract from or reflect poorly upon the gospel.
• Make this your aim: that there be no contradiction between your gospel message and the clothes you wear. May your modest dress be a humble witness to the One who gave himself as a ransom for all.

The entire message can be downloaded at http://www.sovereigngraceministries.org/blogs/cj-mahaney/category/modesty.aspx.

A modesty checklist from the message, http://www.sovereigngracestore.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=A1170-06-51