Christian Women Please Dress More Modestly

[rachelsedge]

Something a good friend of mine (who is male) said is that Christian men have to stop "positively reinforcing" the women's behavior. The stares, the compliments, if she's wearing revealing clothing, that will only perpetuate her clothing because of the attention instead of leading her towards modesty. My friend would sometimes even call out his girl friends who were wearing distracting clothing. "That shirt is a little distracting." In any circumstance, it should be done in love.

Thoughts on that? Is telling someone that you know (not a stranger, as we saw the consequences of that in KeeganGentle's post) a bad idea because only the Holy Spirit can change one's heart, or a good idea?

I think modesty is a tough issue since what is "modest" varies, from person to person and from culture to culture.

 

[jimmydiggs]

Something a good friend of mine (who is male) said is that Christian men have to stop "positively reinforcing" the women's behavior. The stares, the compliments, if she's wearing revealing clothing, that will only perpetuate her clothing because of the attention instead of leading her towards modesty. My friend would sometimes even call out his girl friends who were wearing distracting clothing. "That shirt is a little distracting." In any circumstance, it should be done in love.

Thoughts on that? Is telling someone that you know (not a stranger, as we saw the consequences of that in KeeganGentle's post) a bad idea because only the Holy Spirit can change one's heart, or a good idea?

I think modesty is a tough issue since what is "modest" varies, from person to person and from culture to culture.

Depends on the person. I have some friends that are much more receptive to concerns about possibly modifying behavior (beyond issues of modesty, just generally speaking) but I know one in particularl will be very opposed to and resist quite strongly unless they had already considered making the modification on their own.

 

[Liamson]

This thread is weird.

All I have wanted to say about this thread has been said.

Titus 1:15
To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.




There are always going to be people who want to add stipulations and articles to laws to make them more burdensome and complex and they will always be wrong.

Just a man can be a Gynecologist and perform his duty without a perverse thought in his brain, a man can also have his sexual fetish fantasy about Joan-of-Arc in full armor.

What a woman wears does not immunize a man against his own imagination. Nor should it be a woman's responsibility to ensure that all men have come to some consensus about whether or not what she is wearing is appropriate or not.


Avert your own eyes and take captive every thought. Regulating the Universe is Ludicrous. It is literally the slippery slope that led to the Burka. We laugh at the Burka, because we think its so far removed from our culture. I don't think it is at all.

 

[Loveneverfails]

"Christian Women Please Dress More Modestly"

..um, okay. But not because you say so. I attempt to dress in a way that I believe is modest because it's something that I believe is right, and it's something that I have felt God leading me to do. I don't really care about the psychology or politics of whether it's the man's or woman's job to help prevent lust.

I leave the job of lecturing men about keeping their minds pure to older men.. their older brothers in Christ. My dad has done a fine job of doing that with my younger brother, and he hangs out with other boys his age who also firmly believe in respecting women even in their thought life. I'm proud of them. I have a good relationship with this same group of teenage boys and they have been honest with me that they really appreciate when a girl their age is dressed modestly yet stylishly. They've said it makes them feel like they can just relax and focus on their friendship with that girl rather than having their "purity mental defense" up the whole time. They still believe keeping their minds pure is totally their own responsibility, but they feel like a girl is sort of giving them a break when she dresses modestly.

 

[Art05]

"Christian Women Please Dress More Modestly"

..um, okay. But not because you say so.

... ... DUH! ... ugh [sigh]

Of course it's not because we "say so" (and you mean men), but if a Christian man says that they should, it should be counted (by Christian women) as a Biblical exhortation.

Christian dad: Princess, you need to dress modest. This pleases the Lord.
Girl: Oh dad, you're not a woman! You can't tell me how to dress!

Pastor: Young ladies, the Bible says that you all should dress modestly.
Girl thinks: But pastor isn't a woman; who does he think he is, tell me how to dress?

Christian brother (also friend): Don't you think that's a little too ... immodest? It's a little tight, don't you think?
Girl (fed up with men "tellin' her what to do"): Ugh! Keep it to yourself, you perv! Why are you even looking at me there?!

This attitude is unChristian, unwise, and practically sinful and rebellious; it is far worse than childish, and no Christian woman will entertain such a mindset when it comes to her choice of clothes, and the instruction from the Bible.

Real Christian women are meek They're really sweet too! And, very importantly, they dress modestly; they know that even their choice of clothing for the day should be a godly choice, and will not allow the Savior to be blasphemed by her appearance.

God bless, and fill you with wisdom!

 

[Liamson]

All hail king sheriff of the modesty police, who grasp of scripture is unparalleled in its application in other people's lives. Who guidance concerning that which women wear, we simply cannot live without.

Come one come all to bow before his decrees and bend at his interpretations.

 

[Misty77]

Another modesty thread. Nice.

 

[Catlynn]

This thread makes me want to go to the beach...

 

[Praus]

Another modesty thread. Nice.

ten letters

 

[Loveneverfails]

... ... DUH! ... ugh [sigh]

Of course it's not because we "say so" (and you mean men), but if a Christian man says that they should, it should be counted (by Christian women) as a Biblical exhortation.

Christian dad: Princess, you need to dress modest. This pleases the Lord.
Girl: Oh dad, you're not a woman! You can't tell me how to dress!

Pastor: Young ladies, the Bible says that you all should dress modestly.
Girl thinks: But pastor isn't a woman; who does he think he is, tell me how to dress?

Christian brother (also friend): Don't you think that's a little too ... immodest? It's a little tight, don't you think?
Girl (fed up with men "tellin' her what to do"): Ugh! Keep it to yourself, you perv! Why are you even looking at me there?!

This attitude is unChristian, unwise, and practically sinful and rebellious; it is far worse than childish, and no Christian woman will entertain such a mindset when it comes to her choice of clothes, and the instruction from the Bible.

Real Christian women are meek They're really sweet too! And, very importantly, they dress modestly; they know that even their choice of clothing for the day should be a godly choice, and will not allow the Savior to be blasphemed by her appearance.

God bless, and fill you with wisdom!

Thanks for your post, Art05.

First of all, I did not mean all men in general, and I also never dismissed this as not being an exhortation. Please do not put words into my mouth, brother. You even agreed with me when you said it's not because any man "says so". That was all I said and all I meant in that quote.

Dressing modestly is for God's glory, not in obedience to the commands of a person, whether male or female.

Also, I am not opposed to Christian men exhorting me in this area. When I said "not because YOU say so", I was literally referring to the man who started the thread, not all men in general. I have been doing my best to dress modestly long before Praus issued his exhortation, so obviously his words are not the reason I do it. I admit my tone was a bit snarky, but that was probably in response to my frustration over the somewhat hostile tone that had infected the thread by that time. Normally, I probably would have chosen my words a bit better.

I actually value exhortations from my Christian brothers who are closely involved in my life, such as my father, brother, pastor, and close friends. So, in all of your examples, the attitudes you described would certainly be childish, but those are not my attitudes. Since I was a teenager, every day before leaving the house I'd give my dad a hug, twirl around in my outfit and jokingly ask him if I looked like a lady, which was my way of asking if I looked modest yet pretty. I almost always got a smile and his approval, but the very few times I didn't I'd rush back to my room and make whatever changes were necessary. I did (and still do) this because I care about the impact my attire could have on my Christian brothers, and the impact it could have upon my own testimony as a child of God.

So, yes, I call upon the wisdom and perspective of some of my Christian brothers when it comes to this subject (and my father certainly exhorted me many times growing up), but I don't dress modestly because they told me to do so. I do my best to dress modestly because that is what my Lord wants from me.

I hope that makes sense. God bless

 

[Praus]

... I was literally referring to the man who started the thread, not all men in general. I have been doing my best to dress modestly long before Praus issued his exhortation, so obviously his words are not the reason I do it.

That's me.

Today's Yiddish word of the day: meshugge

-> meshugge - Wiktionary

Adjective: meshugge: crazy, mad, senseless, insane
Etymology: From Yiddish משוגע (meshuge, “crazy”), from Hebrew מְשׁוּגָּע (m'shugá, “crazy”), a form of שׁוּגַּע (shugá, “be driven mad”) and שִׁיגַּע (shigá, “drive mad”). First started being widely used between 1880 and 1885.

 

[secularhermit]

(...) Don't you understand that Adam and Eve were naked? (...) Don't listen to some woman preaching her own "good, sound and holy" opinions on what is and isn't acceptable. That's not spiritual, because we're unspiritual beings. It's only by the Spirit that we live by faith.

I didn´t pay too much attention on your words (so I deleted) and I don´t plan to watch any video or hearing another´s words. I just KNOW that, if Adam or I were in front of naked women I would stare at them, no matter knowing they were married to someone and since sex NEVER says a woman is married (except in India and somewhere else I don´t know) I find very risky and eye provoking a woman showing ALL she has for public eyes. I´d say it is ok if she is young and single, she would need someone to be drawn and catched, but being a Christian woman, FOR SELFRESPECT, for respecting her bond to the man she said she would love and have marrid, I think she had better to dress modestly, unless she plans to get another man (and I hope she had good reasons to be divorced and separated). The pagan word where I live doesn´t see this clearly, but Christianity does. My human flesh pleases in looking at young girls wearing few clothing, but my mind tells me she DOESN´T DESERVE MY ATTENTION because many men are looking at her at the same time, with the same LUST, and lust is not LOVE, but a simple moment that passes by as eyaculation ends (Human do not enjoy that moment like pigs and other animals).

My intention here is not being mundane or offensive, but clear. We have not a clue on how to "regulate" people´s behaviour BUT OURS, and I know modesty, for women and men, is a need, a must, for Christian who want to live a holy and social life. If I see Eve naked walking down the street I probably would look at her (unless she be OLD, fat or ugly) and Adam would feel some animosity at my staring, I would feel jelous he received his rib, his other side, while I am unable to find my missing rib, here on earth.

I beg you to understand that some fashion are not socially good and, if I miraculously get married (no one is missing me yet) it won´t be with someone who likes to show her breast or legs publicly, because that serves to draw eyes and men (and no one is fooled here to know there are women who like to be exhibitionists and lesbians).

 

[my_adonai_]

I loveeee the way my mom dresses. Very decent, even in clothes that she goes to weddings with. Nothing TIGHT, REVEALING, SHOWING OFF ANY BODY PART. And shes not a nun, yet NUNS do offer a modest Type of dress code, one good to look at. And ITS QUITE HOT here and she SHOWS NO SKIN. Any lady that dresses different from her is NOT ON MY TO MARRY LIST. Now culture differs, but MODESTY remains THE SAME. From the desert to the cold areas, a ladies body is a Mysterious treasure to be Uncovered by HER husband in marriage.

 

[Art05]

I loveeee the way my mom dresses. Very decent, even in clothes that she goes to weddings with. Nothing TIGHT, REVEALING, SHOWING OFF ANY BODY PART. And shes not a nun, yet NUNS do offer a modest Type of dress code, one good to look at. And ITS QUITE HOT here and she SHOWS NO SKIN. Any lady that dresses different from her is NOT ON MY TO MARRY LIST. Now culture differs, but MODESTY remains THE SAME. From the desert to the cold areas, a ladies body is a Mysterious treasure to be Uncovered by HER husband in marriage.

Amen, brother. May all Christian girls follow the godly example of your mother!

And not just in church ....

 

[Art05]

Thanks for your post, Art05.

First of all, I did not mean all men in general, and I also never dismissed this as not being an exhortation. Please do not put words into my mouth, brother. You even agreed with me when you said it's not because any man "says so". That was all I said and all I meant in that quote.

Dressing modestly is for God's glory, not in obedience to the commands of a person, whether male or female.

Also, I am not opposed to Christian men exhorting me in this area. When I said "not because YOU say so", I was literally referring to the man who started the thread, not all men in general. I have been doing my best to dress modestly long before Praus issued his exhortation, so obviously his words are not the reason I do it. I admit my tone was a bit snarky, but that was probably in response to my frustration over the somewhat hostile tone that had infected the thread by that time. Normally, I probably would have chosen my words a bit better.

I actually value exhortations from my Christian brothers who are closely involved in my life, such as my father, brother, pastor, and close friends. So, in all of your examples, the attitudes you described would certainly be childish, but those are not my attitudes. Since I was a teenager, every day before leaving the house I'd give my dad a hug, twirl around in my outfit and jokingly ask him if I looked like a lady, which was my way of asking if I looked modest yet pretty. I almost always got a smile and his approval, but the very few times I didn't I'd rush back to my room and make whatever changes were necessary. I did (and still do) this because I care about the impact my attire could have on my Christian brothers, and the impact it could have upon my own testimony as a child of God.

So, yes, I call upon the wisdom and perspective of some of my Christian brothers when it comes to this subject (and my father certainly exhorted me many times growing up), but I don't dress modestly because they told me to do so. I do my best to dress modestly because that is what my Lord wants from me.

I hope that makes sense. God bless

And I thank you for answering respectfully, in spite of the fact that you still seem to be sticking to your guns on the whole "Who are you to tell me anything?!" attitude. But that's fine, because I believe you what you're saying about how you want your dad's approval. This is what every Christian man wants from their daughters, and you're a good example.

But I never put words in your mouth. What I said could only be readily assumed from what I read.

So ... yeah. lol.

 

[DuchessAimee]

It amazes me how threads like this continuously pop up. They're rarely valid and attract overly legalistic individuals who have a God complex the size of Texas. Please remember folks...

 

[my_adonai_]

Well, When a Person sees an ever Daily problem, thank GOD they have the courage to speak it out. And i pray The Lord Reward them with More Boldness to speak in Love and Leading of The Holy Spirit.
.
Yet again if the Son of Man comes, Will He find faith on earth.

 

[Descyple]

I think women should be forced to wear ugly Christmas sweaters all year round, that way the only thing I'll be tempted to do is gouge my eyes out with a dull fork (not a dull knife, a dull fork, that is how tempted I would be!!!).

 

[Shouryu]

I think women should be forced to wear ugly Christmas sweaters all year round, that way the only thing I'll be tempted to do is gouge my eyes out with a dull fork (not a dull knife, a dull fork, that is how tempted I would be!!!).

You have just inadvertently given Ugly an idea for a whole new set of avatars. Normally, I'd say congratulations are in order, but knowing Ugly, I think we'd just better start praying.

 

[my_adonai_]

I think ladies know what decency is like, deep down in our hearts we do (THE HOLY SPIRIT bearing witness within us). At times i "guess" they go like "there is nothing wrong with that" and poooofff they out and about...

Or the transition from the world to the Godly like woman can be a tad painful, they could be holding on to the past with the saying "God looks at the heart". ...

yet again those are just comments i have seen and heard. But i believe every lady that wears the way they do have deeply asked the Lord before the indulged in the clothes they do. And did not assume JESUS is fine with it...