Modesty Monday #3 – What is Modesty?
It’s time once again for Modesty Monday here at Homestead Momma! Please join us by posting something on your blog about Modesty. It can be an article or simply photos of modest dress…it’s your choice!
When most people think of modesty, at least from a Christian standpoint, they tend to think about the way a person dresses. The outside appearance that the world observes. While I do think that is important, I also feel that modesty is much more. Let’s look at the definition of “Modesty” from the Webster’s 1828 Dictionary.
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That lowly temper which accompanies a moderate estimate of one’s own worth and importance. This temper when natural, springs in some measure from timidity, and in young and inexperienced persons, is allied to bashfulness and diffidence. In persons who have seen the world, and lost their natural timidity, modesty springs no less from principle than from feeling, and is manifested by retiring, unobtrusive manners, assuming less to itself than others are willing to yield, and conceding to others all due honor and respect, or even more than they expect or require.
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Modesty, as an act or series of acts, consists in humble, unobtrusive deportment, as opposed to extreme boldness, forwardness, arrogance, presumption, audacity or impudence. Thus we say, the petitioner urged his claims with modesty; the speaker addressed the audience with modesty.
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Moderation; decency.
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In females, modesty has the like character as in males; but the word is used also as synonymous with chastity, or purity of manners. In this sense, modesty results from purity of mind, or from the fear of disgrace and ignominy fortified by education and principle. Unaffected modesty is the sweetest charm of female excellence, the richest gem in the diadem of their honor.
So from looking at the definition of Modesty, you can see some definite images starting to appear.
A modest woman is humble. She puts other’s needs before her own. She doesn’t try to build up her own ego, but stays in the background—happy to help those around her, not “toot” her own horn. Christ is a perfect example of this sort of modesty. He was completely and wholly both man and God. He came to the earth under humble beginnings—born in a manger! He served his fellow man humbly. He was no braggart. He did His Father’s will to bring glory to the Father. He was a servant who willingly went to the cross and died for us.
Another aspect of modesty is moderation. A modest woman doesn’t allow herself to be caught up by things, become addicted to things. She takes things in moderation. She doesn’t allow any one person, place, or thing become more important than everything else. She avoids obsession and addiction. She is willing to live happily with the things the Lord has provided. She doesn’t dream of fancy houses, cars or piles of money. She is content with what she has. Moderation breeds contentment.
Modesty is also purity of mind. A modest woman keeps herself pure both in mind and body. A modest woman doesn’t go around cursing like a sailor, she doesn’t view inappropriate movies or TV shows. She tries to keep he mind pure and on the things of Heaven. A modest woman also guards the purity of her body. She doesn’t participate in acts, which would make her body impure; this includes impure sexual acts and things like drugs, alcohol, and even things like eating disorders. When you let addiction and obsession take over you allow your mind and body to become impure. Our minds and bodies are the Lord’s temple and we want them to be as spotless and white as snow.
Of course, modesty should also direct our clothing choices. Each of us has to come before the Lord and decide what is right and wrong in how we choose to dress. Not everyone’s definition of modest dress is the same. But, I do believe that God is more concerned with the modesty of our heart, soul and mind than with anything we can put on our body.
In today’s world it’s hard to be a modest person. The world is all about building up your own self-esteem and ego. The world tells us we should “Toot” our own horn and brag about our achievements. It’s a “dog-eat-dog world” and “survival of the fittest”. We’re expected to step on a lot of people to get to the top. The world also tells us to do whatever “feels good”. It’s looking down and avoiding the homeless and needy and taking care of our own needs first. It’s keeping up with the Jones’ and trying to have the biggest, the best, the most expensive. It’s putting ourselves before anything or anyone. It’s selfishness.
Ultimately, I believe that modesty is selflessness. Our purpose is not to build ourselves up or to please ourselves. Our purpose is to praise the Lord, to build Him up, to please Him. We are to put God before all else. We cannot fully do that unless we are modest.
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