While I agree with you in principal I have one question... how are we to know what is modest and godly? If we are to use the standard of society as a mesure than we risk breaking the rule. IE: If we use todays standard for modesty or even the 1950's idea of modest, than by the standard set forth during say... the crusades our women are dressed no better than an obvious prostitute. Society or what our curent godly friends might say is modest is purely subjective (this is unrefutible because if you ask an opinion of someone that opinion is always subject...that's why it is called an opinion.) than how are we to know what is right? I hope that wasn't to confusing to answer.
Answer:
I think the first step is for women to have an awareness that dressing modestly is an issue that they need to be thinking about when they go into their closets. Sometimes I think certain women are oblivious to the fact that they are wearing something that may be tempting the men around them. I understand that women are not wired the way men are and may not fully understand the power of visual stimulation. This is all the more reason for women to really think about what they decide to put on. So it starts with awareness.
I think the idea of modesty needs to start with women when they are still little girls. It is amazing what I see little girls wearing sometimes. No, they don’t have a developed body to show off and they probably aren’t tempting anyone by their dress. But these little girls will eventually grow up into women who will have bodies to show off and will think that dressing provocatively is completely acceptable because that is what they have been doing since they were a little girl. This is where the daddy’s need to step up. Daddy’s need to celebrate their daughters beauty, and I mean really make a big deal out of it, in the modest ways they dress. So, secondly, I think modesty starts at a young age and with the daddy’s celebrating their daughters’ beauty.
Once a woman is grown up enough to make her own decisions I think she has to ask herself some questions as she is dressing every day. Jesus always concentrated on the heart and motive behind the things we do and dress is no different. Women should ask themselves questions like “Where does this outfit draw attention to?” As John Piper says, "Women should dress in such a way that they draw men's attention towards their eyes, their face, and not towards the other parts of their bodies." In the context of worship women should ask themselves “Am I in any way trying to draw attention to myself by wearing this?” So, thirdly, women should check their motivation for wearing what they wear.
Lastly, women should surround themselves with godly husbands, brothers, and fathers who will give them honest opinions about what they are wearing. This is probably the most practical and effective piece of advice. Men know what is inappropriate and what isn’t in a way that women never could. So seek the advice of Godly men and trust their opinion. Yes, it’s an opinion and as long as it is a Godly man, it is the correct one to seek and trust. If a Godly man thinks something is inappropriate and you don’t, you’re wrong, period. Trust me.
We should never use society as a standard for what is considered modest and appropriate. We should seek what the Bible has to say about the issue and consult Godly, mature Christians for counsel. Will the advice we receive many times be opinion? Yes, but it will be opinion guided into truth by the Holy Spirit.
Answer:
I think the first step is for women to have an awareness that dressing modestly is an issue that they need to be thinking about when they go into their closets. Sometimes I think certain women are oblivious to the fact that they are wearing something that may be tempting the men around them. I understand that women are not wired the way men are and may not fully understand the power of visual stimulation. This is all the more reason for women to really think about what they decide to put on. So it starts with awareness.
I think the idea of modesty needs to start with women when they are still little girls. It is amazing what I see little girls wearing sometimes. No, they don’t have a developed body to show off and they probably aren’t tempting anyone by their dress. But these little girls will eventually grow up into women who will have bodies to show off and will think that dressing provocatively is completely acceptable because that is what they have been doing since they were a little girl. This is where the daddy’s need to step up. Daddy’s need to celebrate their daughters beauty, and I mean really make a big deal out of it, in the modest ways they dress. So, secondly, I think modesty starts at a young age and with the daddy’s celebrating their daughters’ beauty.
Once a woman is grown up enough to make her own decisions I think she has to ask herself some questions as she is dressing every day. Jesus always concentrated on the heart and motive behind the things we do and dress is no different. Women should ask themselves questions like “Where does this outfit draw attention to?” As John Piper says, "Women should dress in such a way that they draw men's attention towards their eyes, their face, and not towards the other parts of their bodies." In the context of worship women should ask themselves “Am I in any way trying to draw attention to myself by wearing this?” So, thirdly, women should check their motivation for wearing what they wear.
Lastly, women should surround themselves with godly husbands, brothers, and fathers who will give them honest opinions about what they are wearing. This is probably the most practical and effective piece of advice. Men know what is inappropriate and what isn’t in a way that women never could. So seek the advice of Godly men and trust their opinion. Yes, it’s an opinion and as long as it is a Godly man, it is the correct one to seek and trust. If a Godly man thinks something is inappropriate and you don’t, you’re wrong, period. Trust me.
We should never use society as a standard for what is considered modest and appropriate. We should seek what the Bible has to say about the issue and consult Godly, mature Christians for counsel. Will the advice we receive many times be opinion? Yes, but it will be opinion guided into truth by the Holy Spirit.
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