I Was So Embarrassed

I’d like to start out today by thanking Tonya for being willing to host Soapbox Sunday. I pray that many women will be blessed and encouraged each week by her thought provoking topics.

Modesty

As a mother of five sons, I’m going to approach this issue from a personal perspective, because I’ve never had a daughter of my own to instruct on this subject. However, having been in full-time ministry for many years, I have had the chance to influence many women in this area.

As a young Christian just coming out of a secular lifestyle, no one specifically taught me about modesty or what the bible had to say about the topic. One night after a home bible study I was attending, a brother in Christ sat down with me and said these words, “Susan, you are a beautiful young lady, and I know you love the Lord, but sometimes what you wear distracts me”. I didn’t know what to say…

Back in those days I liked wearing my jeans really snug, and my shirts were pretty form fitting! I remember getting in my car and crying the whole way home. How humiliating! I had never been raised in a Christian environment. I felt so bad that I could be causing men to stumble?

Part of me never wanted to return out of embarrassment, but it caused me to study the scriptures and learn what the Bible had to say about this issue. One scripture that really spoke to my heart was in 1 Timothy:

"Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments; but rather by means of good works, as befits women making a claim to godliness." (I Tim 2:9)

Immediately the Lord began to show me if I was going to make a claim to godliness, then everything in my life should reflect it. It didn’t take long for me to understand what God was saying to me. Our bodies are precious because they are a gift from God, but He never intended for us to flaunt ourselves or display our bodies in an immodest way. He wants our whole person; body, soul, and spirit to be consecrated fully to Him.

"I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." (Rom. 12:1)

Many of us have asked the question, “Then what should I wear?” What I tell younger women to do is; go into your closet and look at all your clothes really well. Then ask the question before you put on that dress or blouse, “Is this too revealing or immodest in any way? If I wear this outfit, could it distract or cause a brother in Christ to stumble?” This is not easy because as women we really enjoy dressing up and looking good. But it is the inner beauty of a sanctified life that will actually attract others to us. Outer beauty is a fleeting thing, but to be pure in spirit is eternal.

I will be praying for those of you who are raising daughters, or responsible for teaching younger women. I know it’s difficult even to find modest clothing these days. Most of what they see on TV or in magazines is so seductive. It is our obligation to instruct them in the truth, and to be an example and role model of what is pleasing in the sight of God.

“Give unto the Lord the glory due His name; bring an offering, and come before Him; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." (I Chron. 16:29)