Modesty: More Than Meets the Eye

Originally posted at Ignitum Today 

“Modesty is more than a fashion statement, it’s a daily decision to dress like the child of God you are…”

In order for one to dress in a spirit of modesty, we must first understand why. Why should I care about what I wear and how I wear it?

When we hear the word modesty, more often than not we immediately think of clothing or sometimes the lack of clothing that some wear. It is true that clothing is a big factor in the meaning of modesty, but it’s not the only thing. It’s mainly about realizing and understanding the dignity of us as a person, and those we are in contact with. It’s about understanding our worth and dignity as a child of God. Modesty calls us to live a life of virtue.

Why a life of virtue? Because what’s the point of dressing in a way that honors God’s creation if our speech, our conduct and the way we interact with others is not as virtuous? Basically you become your own worst enemy. Yes, you are dressing honorably but at the same time speaking in a foul language. Or it could be that you dress in a way that brings dignity to the human person, but at the same time you are conversing and acting around young men in a way that doesn’t portray any virtue. You see, modesty involves more than just clothing. Modest dress is simply an outpouring of your pure and modest heart.

"How beautiful then is modesty
and what a gem among virtues it is."
-St. Bernard

Modesty encompasses the entire person, not just the outer fashion sense. True modesty brings dignity and worth to the person, because we recognize the person as one with both a body and a soul. We acknowledge that we were created by God in HIS image and we have a responsibility to carry and present ourselves in a way that is pleasing to God.

Modest clothing is actually more revealing because it shows the dignity of the human body through both clothing and most importantly by how we act and carry ourselves in that clothing. We should never present ourselves in such a way that lowers our dignity and projects a message that others can or should desire to use us. We are not objects but rather subjects with a soul.

A modestly dressed woman has a mystery about her as well as a sense of humility, dignity and confidence because she doesn’t need to lower herself to the standards of the world. Rather, she makes the world stop and look up to what the standards should be.

Women of today need to set the bar for the men. Because if we set the bar so low, by the way we dress and conduct ourselves, then the men aren’t going to step up and be the Godly knight they are called to be.

"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."
-1 Corinthians 6:19-20