Dressing With Decency

Yesterday my family and I went to Whitewater water park in Atlanta Georgia. While the rides were a lot of fun, the way most of the girls were dressed was so sad. The style these days seems to "bare it all" and that's just what most women are doing. Wearing swimsuits consisting mostly of thin straps, the women leave almost nothing covered. What was especially sad was the number of young girls, who, following the example of their mothers and older sisters, begin dressing quite provocatively, even at their young age.

Proverbs 11:22 says, "Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful women who shows no discretion." Most of these women were very beautiful, yet because of the way they flaunt themselves, their beauty is wasted, just like a gold ring would be wasted on a pig.

What has happened to the mystery that used to be inspired through modesty? Why don't women want to save themselves for only one man to see? If they covered themselves, they would still be beautiful, and believe it or not, men do respect you more when you don't flaunt yourself! Yes, the girls dressed in the fashion of "show so much skin" do get a lot of attention, but by what kind of guy?

Now, not all of the girls were dressed in such a way, although a majority were. My sisters and I were among those covered. I presented quite a different style, with my high-necked, high-backed swimsuit, with its skirt flowing to my knees. I was very comfortable and enjoyed the prettiness of a modest, feminine bathing suit that didn't compromise my standards. Hopefully, I was a good example to others around, that you can swim modestly! If any of you sew, I would suggest that you get the pattern (now available in girl's sizes as well) Biblical Womanhood offers. It's quite simple, once you get a little practice sewing with lycra.

So, will you join me in presenting to the world a different way of dressing? Will you dress in a way that glorifies God, or glorifies your body?

I have found that when you dress with modesty, decency, and propriety (1 Timothy 2:9-10), you are usually more respected. Dress in such a way that brings the attention off of yourself, and shows people the light of Christ shining through you. You may get a few weird looks, but most of those you come in contact with will be refreshed to see a young lady, dressed with decency.

Now, this of course doesn't mean that you should dress in shapeless burlap sacks covering neck to ankle! Although hard to find, there are occasional pretty and modest clothes in the store. Also, you could take up sewing, as I've done, and sew some of your own clothes. Sewing not only is fun to do, it produces something that can be enjoyed for years to come! Whatever you do, strive to take the effort to dress with taste and decency.

Yet, you shouldn't just focus on your outward appearance. "The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. - 1 Samuel 16:7. Even if you wear modest clothes, if you have a heart full of immodest thoughts and behaviors, that is what is going to shine through for others to see. Cultivate a heart of purity, gentleness, love for others, and modest behavior, and show others Christ in you. It will only add to the loveliness of your dress and manner. How can we do this? By working on our relationship with God, and asking Him to help us. "Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God" - 2 Corinthians 3:5. Only through God can we do anything worthwhile. And don't despair for, "being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." - Philippians 1:6