There are so many differing opinions on what true modesty is. Modesty does not only show in what you’re wearing, but your actions and your heart. Through the past year or so I’ve been reading on a lot more blogs and sites about modesty. Ladies and gentlemen are questioning what is modest and what’s not, but we’re all confused as to the end results. We all have our own opinions and all acts as we are led, which is fine. I will encourage and add my opinion in where it’s needed to others, but the decision is not mine.

In discussing this topic one thing that has really be bothering me is when I read something about cultural modesty. I’ve read many people comparing our culture with other cultures and stating that because our culture says it’s alright to wear, say mini-skirts, then “culturally” it is. Many Christians prescribed to what our culture says is alright without really thinking about it. A lot of Christians have boyfriends, go off with their friends, have jobs, and are idly allowed to do whatever they want. If it’s not “breaking” the ten commandments or the law then they are right on track… right? I must disagree.

Back in the Colonial era it was “culturally” acceptable for women to wear dresses that were cut low, exposing the bosom, but was that modesty, even though it was accepted? The answer is no. I understand that tribes in Africa have different cultural standards as an example in Africa it may be alright for a women to go almost naked, even if they’re Christians, but is that modest in God’s eyes? Before Christ these nations were consider heathen nations, only the Hebrews were the chosen ones, and until they accept Christ they still are. Whether it is culturally acceptable or not I don’t believe it’s pleasing to God.

Where does our standard of modesty come from as Christians? Where do we get this whole idea about being modest and dresss femininely? Where do we go for guidance? What shows us we are wrong when we’ve dressed in an immodest way?

The Word of God.

Because we do get our standards for modesty from the Word of God, which culture should we look to define our Christian modesty? What is the only culture or nation that he ever gave instructions to in the way they dressed? The Hebrews. They were God’s chosen people. It is from this culture that our standards of modesty have been set from. Even though Paul was preaching to the Gentiles he was still a Jew. He had been born and raised in the Jewish culture and when writing the 1 Timothy 2:9 mandate he was using the term “modest” as it was defined by the Jewish culture. Please don’t get the impression that I’m implying to be modest you must dress in a Traditional Jewish manner, but we have seriously got to stop acting that we are modest because we don’t wear miniskirts.

“Tzniut or Tznius (also Tzeniut) (Hebrew: צניעות “modesty”) is a term used within Judaism and has its greatest influence as a notion within Orthodox Judaism. It is used to describe both a character trait and a group of Jewish religious laws pertaining to conduct in general and especially between the sexes.”

“Orthodox Judaism requires both men and women to substantially cover their bodies. In Haredi (most theologically conservative form) communities, men generally wear long pants and often long-sleeve shirts, and women wear blouses with sleeves below the elbow and skirts which cover the knees. Some women try not to follow the fashion, while others wear fashionable but modest clothing. Haredi women avoid skirts with slits, preferring instead kick-pleats. They also avoid overly eye-catching colors, especially bright red.”

I am working on a modesty checklist, looking around at what other’s think about it, but for now I will ask a few questions. Do you wear miniskirts or skirts that come above the knees? Do you wear any form of tanktop or strap/less shirt? Do you wear any shirts that expose your back, underarms, or your underarm-line (across the chest)? Do you wear shorts that come above the knees when you sit down? Do you wear sundresses? Do you wear flamboyant, colourful, or attention-drawing skirts with tassles or any type of “bells”?

If you answered any of those with a yes, it’s time to go back to the Biblical modesty drawing board, which is that of the Jewish culture. We must continually strive to be Holy as He is Holy. We can’t let what the world set a modest cloud our view of what He does. The Bible says we are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice unto the God, pure and acceptable.

Romans 12:1-3

“1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

3For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”

We are to sacrifice everything we can for His glory and be transformed, not conformed to this world, by the renewing of our minds. We are to be set a part from the world in everything. Unbelievers should be able to see that we are His children by how we dress, speak, and live. That was Jesus’ strongest example of holiness.

Matthew 5:14-16
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

After reading up on the Jewish culture and recently reading Miss Lacy’s post, I have been pondering a great deal on the idea of wearing a headcovering. Jewish women are still required to wear some type of hair-covering, whether it be a hat, scarf, or bandanna, because it is culturally immodest not to do so.

1 Corinthians 11:5-6

“But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.”

The Scripture above says that if a woman prayers or prophesies with her head uncovered it is dishonouring and is the same as having her head shaven. So the Bible, in the New Testament, says we are not to pray, as ladies, with our heads uncovered. However the Bible also says in 1 Corinthians 11:15 that if a woman has long hair it will suffice as a covering for her head, though I don’t think it overules 1 Corinthians 11:5-6.

It is modest for us, Biblically, to have long hair and for our heads to be covered when we pray. I honestly don’t think women are as attractive with short hair as they are with long hair. Besides, the Bible says that the men are to have short hair, not women and Biblically this may be considered cross-dressing. I think, as Lacy pointed out, that it is also modest to wear a head-covering when you go out in public.

1 Corinthians 11:14-15
“Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.”

The Bible really does tell us how to dress. We just aren’t looking in the right places. There is so much I want to share with you on the topic of modesty and what the Lord is showing me in this area, but for now I just really wanted to share my thoughts with you and ask you to ponder “cultural” modesty. I know the replies on this post will probably expand on more than I have mentioned, but I hope you will bear with me and stay on this particular subject.

Blessings!