1. Sure, God’s looking at my heart, but everyone else sees the outside.
When God is on my inside, my outside shows it. He’s too powerful—too big—to hide in some invisible corner of my heart. I can tell a lot about others’ values by what they wear. Shouldn’t they see my King in me?
2. Modesty isn’t about covering my body; it’s about revealing my dignity.
—Jessica Rey, paraphrased
I respect myself; I am too special to be put on display. I dress to honor God because I am confident—I am sure of who I am and what I stand for. I have a healthy level of self-esteem; I don’t resort to flaunting my body for attention.
3. I disrespect men when I dress carelessly—when I know I may distract them or tempt them to have impure thoughts.
Sure, men are responsible for their actions. But if someone were to flash a hundred grand in my face, would I not have a fleeting thought about what I could do with that kind of money? How can I blame men for a mental response that only comes naturally?
I don’t want to behave selfishly; I know that God doesn’t take it lightly when I intentionally cause others to sin.
4. Modesty is as much about attitude and conduct as it is about clothes.
When my accessories are louder than the youth band’s drum set . . . When my social media posts are designed to showcase my utter awesomeness . . . When my voice never fails to carry across the entire restaurant . . . I am not being modest.
5. Being modest is one way I fulfill the greatest commandments: to love the Lord with all my heart, soul, and mind, and to love my neighbor as myself.
If I love God, I will behave in accordance with His Word. If I love those around me, I will dress in a way that respects them, promotes unity, and encourages wholesome attitudes.
6. It’s important to invest as much time on my inward beauty as I do on my outward appearance.
My beauty should not come from outward adornment—elaborate hairstyles, showy jewelry, and expensive clothes. It should be that of my inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit.
I know that outward beauty is fleeting. Inward beauty never fades.
Images Courtesy of KB Photography