Wednesday, March 23, 2011

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.



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

6 comments:

  1. Thank you. I appreciated the point about shopping and serving. An application I would never have thought of. Your blog is lovely~ Blessings. Tamara

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  2. Thank you for taking the time to share this! Wonderful points! I look forward to listening to the entire message.

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  3. Thanks for posting about this!

    I have been discussing modesty on my blog too, check it out by following the link on my name…

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  4. I love your post. It was great to see someone else who takes notes from an online sermon. I thought I was the only one!

    I linked to your blog for my Sermon Sunday post.

    http://blessing-farm.blogspot.com/2011/03/sermon-sunday-modesty.html

    Thanks for sharing the links and your thoughts. I followed you. You can follow me back, if you like! I'd love to have you comment on my post on modesty.

    Blessings,

    Heather

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