Several times a week, featured articles in the national media celebrate another woman who, in one form or another, has shown extra skin. Her body may or may not be ideal. She may be a celebrity wearing a designer dress or a teenager bucking the school dress code. Regardless, the message is the same: a woman who is comfortable exposing her body is confident and emotionally healthy.
When the prophet Isaiah said, “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil,” it’s like he was catching a glimpse of our culture today!
Not long ago, I was grieved while reading a blog post (for Christian women!) that promoted indecent activities on the grounds that Paul said, “All things are lawful for me.” Like spiritual silly putty, Scripture is being twisted and molded to support carnal, immoral ideas. How often is the statement, “Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart,” used to undermine biblical teachings about modesty? And what would Matthew think if he knew Jesus’ words, “Judge not, that ye be not judged,” would one day be used to excuse a kaleidoscope of sins?
Our world — our culture — is in spiritual chaos.
While we’d like to think that we’re immune to these mindsets, I’m afraid we’ve been impacted more than we realize. Recently, a woman was told by well-meaning church friends that she shouldn’t be ashamed of her body when she expressed her preference not to wrap her pregnant frame in tight-fitting maternity clothes.
I have a feeling that when Adam and Eve realized they were naked, they were ashamed. But that’s not the point.
Having a mentality of modesty doesn’t stem from shame, it stems from respect – respect for God, for yourself, and for others. Ladies, there’s nothing wrong with a girl who isn’t comfortable exposing her body!
The world paints heroes of females who defy school and work dress codes and of those who openly parade their barely-clothed bodies as if for some kind of noble, wonderful cause. When did it become so wrong to create and enforce dress codes? When did a woman’s willingness to flaunt skin become a “healthy” mentality? Why are so many people offended at the thought of covering up?
Modesty is an attitude; it’s about more than clothes – but modesty is also impossible to attain without wearing them. May we refuse to conform to our society’s ideas about what’s right and wrong . . . May we be transformed in our hearts and minds until we reflect only the breathtaking beauty of Jesus.