3 Reasons to Dress Modestly

If you are a girl, it’s almost inevitable that you will end up in a clothing store at some point. When you do, you are suddenly surrounded by clothing that you wish would just go away, clothes that tempt you to wear things you know aren't right because they are just so cute. Plus, every other girl in school is wearing them. What are we supposed to do?
 

1 Timothy 2:8-10 says,

“…likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.” (ESV)
 

But why do we have to dress modestly? What difference does it make?

1. We dress modestly to show others that we are different. When our peers, teachers, and other people we are around every day see that we do not wear the miniskirts and super low-cut tops that the other girls wear, it demonstrates to them that we have been changed and are attempting to live a God-honoring life.
2. We dress modestly to avoid tempting others to sin. Matthew 5:28 says, “Everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” When we dress in a way that tempts our fellow young men to sinful thoughts and actions, we are not glorifying God.
3. We dress modestly so that those around us will focus on our inner beauty instead of our outward appearance. When your outer appearance is distracting, people can’t see past that into your beautiful changed heart.

So there you have it: three reasons why Christian girls should dress modestly and appropriately. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be covering practical suggestions and tips for shopping and dressing in a God-honoring way while still staying stylish.

Next Steps: Pray that God would give you discernment to distinguish cute clothing from immodest clothing. Start actively considering the clothes you see around to develop your own personal ‘modesty eye’; start developing your own opinions of what is and isn't modest, aside from the obvious answers.

What do you think?

• Are there other reasons you dress modestly? Things on the list you don’t consider a reason?
• Do you have any specific questions about modest dressing that I could answer in the future?