I thought I'd go ahead and post a few things about modesty and dress standards. I am planning a few more posts on the subject, including what I believe the bible says and my personal standards on dress. So y'all can either look forward to or dread those posts. (lol jk ;)
This is basically a list of ten things to consider as you think about your clothing and how you dress. Not just when your thinking about your relationships but also just in your every day life. When you stand in front of your mirror in the morning, think about whether your clothes fit into these things.
1. Please the Lord Jesus Christ and honor Him above all. So many of our dress standards are to please us or please others. Why not please God? 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."
2. Submit to the biblical principle of modesty. I think this is more of a problem for ladies then it is for guys. Guys are very 'sight oriented' so there are a lot of things that are rather immodest and provocative that you as a lady may not realize. We'll get into this more in one of my next posts. But remember 1Timothy 2:9..."In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel..."
3. Submit to the biblical principle of appropriateness and to identify with godliness. Philippians 4:5 says "Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand." The word
moderation means
appropriateness. Make sure your clothes are not only modest but also appropriate for what your doing. Like nice dressy clothes for church and your more causal clothes for work. You should have a higher respect for the things of God then you do for work or school, so dress nicer.
4. Promote an environment of purity and spiritual growth. Sadly, our generation is more sexually educated, active, and tempted then EVER before in American history. We should be committed to keeping and pure and godly atmosphere with our friends -- and that means dressing modesty and appropriately. The fact is, how we dress contributes to our environments with friends, at school, and at church.
5. Honor the convictions of your parents. Don't push things to the borderline of "How short/tight/low-cut can I get and still make it past mom and dad?" You should be willing to obey your parents standards as long as you are in there house. I used to just wear modest clothes because its what my dad asked of me...now I have tighter standards for myself as far as dress goes. I'll get into that in another post tho.
6. Give account to the Lord with joy. This is a hard one! 2 Corinthians 5:10 says "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." Do you want to give account for good or bad choices in clothing?
7. Promote a spirit of maturity. Maturity isn't age, it is the acceptance of responsibility. The sooner you over come those fashion-conscious insecurities, the more mature and responsible you'll be. 1 Corinthians 13:11 says "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things." Also God commands us to be an example in 1 Timothy 4:12 "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."
8. Exemplify a distinct lifestyle not conformed to the world. Romans 12:2 says "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." God does not want us to fit in or blend in with the world. We are to look different, act different, and BE different. Don't let your clothes say that you're are trying to 'fit in' with the world.
9. Protect the thoughts of those around you. When you dress modestly you are saying that you value yourself as God does. You are broadcasting you commitment to purity. You are saying to others "Think purely about me!" You will be protecting their hearts and minds and displaying responsibility and respect.
10. Be a clear witness of the gospel. If you are dressing different from the world, you are shining brightly! God told us that men look on the outward, so let the outward look different! I can't tell you how many times as a little kid I saw my dad witness to someone because the first notice how his wife and daughter were dressed. Dressing modestly can be an amazing testimony for you!
If you dress in a way that honors the Lord, your relationships will benefit from that as well!
**Some material taken from 'Just Friends' by Mike Ray and Cary Schmidt**
