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The following comes from the devotional book “What Now?” by Ashley Akers. To learn more, go to www.whatnowdevo.com.
Modesty
Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s what’s on the inside that matters”? There is truth to this statement, but it probably is not what you are thinking.
Society has claimed this statement to mean, “It matters if they are good on the inside, no matter how they dress or look (good or bad)”. Allow me to change this phrase to say: Who is living on the inside is what matters. The appearance on the outside can be a clear indicator of the heart’s motivations.
When you get dressed do you think, “This will bring attention to me,” or “This will bring attention to God in me.” Modesty is a heart issue and your heart motivates decisions of clothing and actions! So who does your heart belong to? You or God? You cannot ride the fence.
1 Timothy 2:9-10 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.
1 Peter 3:3-4 continues,
Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear — but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.
These verses are not saying that you should neglect your appearance, but to be aware of Who you are presenting to the world. Do you find yourself wanting to gain attention from the opposite sex by wearing clothing that reveals your body?
When you wear revealing clothing, you are sending the opposite sex a clear message: I don’t respect myself, so you won’t need to respect me; and I am not listening to what God is telling me about modesty.
God created women as emotional beings, including the need to feel loved. Dressing immodestly to gain “love” will only lead to brokenness. God created males as visual beings, and dressing immodestly can cause them to stumble into sin. When you cause that temptation by dressing immodestly, you have also sinned.
When God is the authority of your heart, your clothes and actions will reflect Him. You will carry yourself with respect and respond with a gentle and quiet spirit due to a continual growing relationship with God. THIS is what is attractive! Your desire to be “loved” will be fulfilled by knowing the love of God and you won’t desire attention from others. Displaying self-control is a desirable quality.
Remember these things: Carry yourself with self-respect and others will respect you; and love God with all your heart! Attract quality, not quantity.
Reflection Questions
1. How has dressing immodestly given you attention by the opposite sex? Did they respect you?
2. Do you respect yourself?
3. How is dressing modestly a testimony of godliness?
Copyright © 2025 by Ashley Akers @ whatnowdevo.com. No part of this article may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from Lifeword.org