Biblical Femininity #2: More Than Modesty

There is true beauty when it comes to the characteristics and attributes of a woman after God’s own heart. Many people today have lost sight of that beauty along with the set apart path that God created for womanhood. But, through taking time to unpack the raw and authentic design that God hand crafted for femininity, we can see just how perfect His design is.

In this second installment of “Biblical Femininity”, I will be further addressing the topic of modesty. This is a deeper look into topics broadly discussed in the previous installment entitled “True Femininity”, which I would encourage you to read before diving into this article.

Installment #2 - “More Than Modesty”

Many girls grow up with a misguided understanding of what modesty truly is. Many women have only heard what the world says about modesty. The world says it is a legalistic and oppressive set of rules and guidelines that keep women from dressing how they would like to. When some women are presented with this point of view, they reject it completely. On the other hand, there are also women so concerned with modesty that it becomes joyless. These are two extremes, neither of which are God’s design for modesty.

So, what is “true” modesty?

True modesty flows from a heart that loves the Lord. When women surrender to Christ we are to “adorn [ourselves] in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works” (1 Timothy 2:9-10 ESV). In these verses, modesty is not actually describing the clothing, but rather the attitude that should accompany the clothing. This is where modesty starts. Every piece of clothing we choose to put on should come from a desire to honor God - not out of selfishness or self-righteousness.

Simply put, modesty means being guarded, keeping sacred things sacred, and embracing the feminine mystery that is honoring to those around us and is attractive to a Christ-centered man. Modesty is an important way to honor the men in our lives. By presenting ourselves in a way that honors our husband or future husband, it sends a message of respect for the men around us in not putting a stumbling block of temptation in front of them.

God’s word does not give us a direct list of what we should and should not wear, it gives us principles to follow. However, it does tell us that a woman who truly loves and serves the Lord will honor Him with her outward appearance. In today’s society there are claims that people cover certain parts of their body because they are ashamed of them. That is the exact opposite of the truth. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul uses an analogy of the human body to show that when we cover up these parts of ourselves, we are actually honoring them.

Being “modest” is not about ourselves, but it is a way to put others before ourselves. We are commanded to act and dress with a “sound mind”, which is to be like the mind of Christ. We should not be dressing in order to draw attention to ourselves, but to be ready for service to the Lord.

When God commands us to dress appropriately, He is elevating our worth far beyond our bodies. He shifts the focus to our character instead. In a world that objectifies women’s bodies, following His way in how we present ourselves places value in who He created us to be. This is what God’s heart behind modesty is. We, as women, need to understand and embrace His design.

God knew that we as humans, men and women alike, would get consumed in appearance and make simple things, such as clothing, an unhealthy focus in our lives. God tells us “...do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing” (Matthew 6:25 ESV). Our lives are so much more than external appearance! Our external appearances make for a good cover. On the outside we may be put together perfectly, while on the inside we are struggling with pride, anxiety, selfishness, jealousy, the list goes on and on. We can not cover up our self-centered insecurities with make-up or the newest clothing. These things can enhance our beauty, but it has to start with an internal focus on God’s design for modesty.

In the world today it is so easy to get tempted by acceptance or wanting to be “attractive” that it sneaks into our hearts and minds in subtle ways. This is why it is so important to find our worth in the Lord. When we are secure and satisfied with our identity in Christ, we will not crave value or attention from the world, which can never truly satisfy anyway.

However, all that to say, this does not mean we have to dress frumpy or tasteless. God is the creator of beauty, and He created us to appreciate it as well. Putting effort into our outward appearance shows honor and respect for God and others as we pursue the lives God has called us to. God does not say it is wrong to have a pretty outfit, but he warns us of the toll it could take on our spirits. Far too often, we pursue our own desires and neglect God or get so caught up in our own beauty that it consumes our thoughts and we disregard any desire to reflect the true beauty of Christ.

Above all, how we live (eat, dress, act, etc.) should point to and radiate Christ in our lives. We need to put aside our desires for physical beauty, and allow Christ to clothe us in His splendor. When a woman is solely focused on glorifying the Lord, His beauty is displayed in her, both inwardly and outwardly.

How do we cultivate true modesty?

The first step in embracing true modesty is to become dead to the world. This means letting go and not being concerned with what people think of you. Oftentimes this means letting go of the trendiness that the world presents us with. As a daughter of the King we are to dress as His child, not as a product of modern pop culture. Be willing to set aside any trends that are a distraction so that Christ will be seen more clearly. In light of eternity, the pursuit of jewelry and clothing are trivial. Therefore, we should view our appearance as a way we can serve Christ here on earth. I challenge you to honor and respect the men in your life by being guarded, keeping sacred things sacred, and embracing the feminine mystery that God has gifted you with.

The Blunt (Brace yourself)

Allow your life to be a reflection of His beauty, not your own.

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Sources and Inspiration

Articles on Purity for Setapartgirl, a ministry of Leslie Ludy. Can be found at: https://setapartgirl.com/category/purity/