The Truth About {Modesty}Part 1

(via Google)

     What is modesty? Most people would think of an old, cranky lady, wearing something of a burlap sack, and nit-picking every item of clothing that wasn't like hers. That is not modesty. Modesty is a way that we, as daughters of the most high God AND the spouse/future spouse of a wonderful gentleman, can attract attention away from our figures, and towards our awesome God!
   Immodest clothing is a problem with women, and especially teenagers. Low-cut shirts, skin-tight shirts, and see-through shirts are becoming more and more accepted by the average female. Even mature women continue to try to dress this way even with God’s dislike of
immodest clothes. Song of Solomon 8:4 says, “Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.” When women wear a shirt that is too tight, or a skirt that is too short, they are arousing things in the men who see them that should still be sleeping. When something is cooking, and you take it out of the oven before the time it is supposed to, you can create a disaster! It will not be nearly as good as it would have been if you had left it in the oven or, “asleep,” until the right time.
     When a woman decides to wear immodest clothing, they are not only exposing themselves to EVERYONE in the world, they are also causing their brother in Christ to stumble. Of course, Christian men should have self-control, but as ladies, we can make it so difficult to maintain.  Imagine this scenario:
 You are on a diet, which you started less than a week ago; you really felt this diet would be a great thing for you. So far, you have done well, and you have not eaten anything except salad. Then your friend calls, “Want to go out to lunch?” You agree, and you suggest saladtopia. Your pal says that nothing is wrong with saladtopia, but he thinks it would be fun to go to McDonalds; since it had many choices including salad. You hesitantly agree, and the date is set. When you get to McDonalds, you quickly order a salad. As you sit down, your friend walks over to the table with a Big Mac, a large fry, a large sweet tea, and an apple pie. You sit twirling your salad pretending the slimy green leaves were French fries…it is not working. Your friend asks, “Wanna fry? I have plenty!” Just one, you think to yourself. Before you know it, you have consumed the entire box.
     As ladies, we have the ability to make or break a guy, and the above scenario shows us the degree of difficulty a guy can have when fighting the temptation of lust. So, what clothing is modest? While there is not a specific modesty code for everyone, the two basic guidelines I use are:

·         No skin-tight clothes. The best type of clothing is not to the point where you can see every curve. I tend to lean on the side of wearing small tents, but that is totally a matter of opinionJ.  The saying I have always heard is this, “Clothes should be fitted enough to show that you are a woman, but loose enough to show you are a lady.” If you aren’t sure, ask your brother or father if they think the shirt/skirt/pants/dress is too tight.

·         None of the three “B”s. You should not be showing the skin of your belly, bottom, or breasts. If any of these are showing, then the outfit is most likely{ In fact, really likely} immodest. 

No skirts above the knee, no shorts more than a couple of inches above the knee, no see through shirts, no undergarments showing, etc.

For more opinions on modesty, check out the modesty survey here.

    Modesty does not mean "unfashionable." There are  so many ways to remain modest, all the while remaining with fashionable clothing. While it may take more effort in a clothing store, it is possible! With today's accessory obsession, there are scarves, shoes and jewelry that add many dimensions to any outfit, and a smile adds more natural beauty to an outfit then any miniskirt ever could!
     In all, I hope that God reveals his standard of modesty to you as his perfect plan for our life.
Sincerely,
Libbi H.

Romans 12: 2

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 

 

For further reading, please check out:

Secret Keeper by Dannah Gresh

The Beauty of Modesty by David and Diane Vaughan

Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris

I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris

The Truth About {Fear}

 

      We all have been afraid at one time or another. From a five year old afraid of the dark to an adult afraid of losing their job, every human being has encountered fear at one point. I  struggled with fear most of my life, until the time when I was around 12 years old. It had come to the point where I could barely look out the window at night without being afraid someone was looking right back at me. I would run up the stairs at our bi-level house, barely breathing as I ran past the window. I was certain someone was outside waiting for me.
      At this point, as a girl who grew up in the church, I knew all the right things. I knew that I was not called to a spirit of fear, that no weapons formed against me shall prosper, and that I was covered by the blood of Jesus. Back then, they were more words on a page then passages to live by. My mom started making me say a verse every time I even thought I could possibly be scared. That verse is 2 Timothy 1:7
" For God has not called us to a Spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind." That scripture changed my life. Slowly but surely, I began to believe it. It is truly amazing how much saying something makes you believe it {That is for another post...}
     I AM FREE! The devil no longer holds me captive with fear. I have been redeemed! Though the devil still tries to make me worry and fret, I just remind the devil that I am NOT called to a spirit of fear, and he can't scare me!
    During this past year, I have thought often about God's word, He has been revealing to me some of the truths not often seen at first glance. Let's dissect this scripture,

2 Timothy 1:7
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power love and a sound mind."

     God didn't call us as Christian to live fearfully and in constant terror of what could happen to us. If we are living in fear, there is no way that we can also be living in power, love, and a sound mind. The reciprocate is also true; If we are living in the power, love, and sound minds that God called us to, there is no way we will be scared.
    If you have ever met someone who is constantly afraid, most of the time, they are not a very powerful person. Likewise, scared people are almost always imagining things that aren't there: Monster in the closet, murderer behind the bush, giant alligator in the bathtub... In other words, their mind is not sound.
    In 1 John 4:18{AMP}, John writes,
"There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love's complete perfection]."  Again, the truth is confirmed, if we walk in fear, we will not walk in love. If we walk in love we will not walk in fear.
     As Christians, we want to live the life that God has so intricately and perfectly planned for us, we want to fulfill the calling on our lives. If we are constantly afraid of things on earth, we will NEVER reach the fullness of our calling. Fear will always hold us back. Let us push forward toward the prize, never letting fear take hold of our hearts. Then, we will be able to run after our calling with power, love, and a {very} sound mind.

Romans 8:15

"For {the Spirit which} you have now received {is} not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption {the Spirit producing sonship} in {the bliss of} which we cry, Abba (Daddy)! Father!"