Modesty

Touma · Jul 3, 2007

Hello brothers and sisters in Christ
(i hope this is in the right forum)
For the past year or so, I have started to surround myself with things and people pertaining to Islam, as I am going to do mission work with the Muslim people, and well I noticed the modesty of their women. Whether it be the Hijaab(head scarf) and Jilbaab(robes covering the body) or the niqaab(full covering head to toe), I find that their modesty, i n covering their body, only to reveal their beauty to their husbands and family, is far better than what I have seen from some of our sisters in christ. Now, I am not saying that women should be forced to cover up, but rather I am suggesting that you all let your beauty not come from form fitting clothes, make up, etc..., but rather let is shine from a strong devotion to our King, and keeping your selves modest.

To ensure you that this isn't a sexist thing, I also propose that men should re-consider their modesty as well. I know that when certain guys wear tight jeans, or take off their shirts, the ladies go crazy and drool. What we should do fellows is again let our beauty not come physical looks, but from our faith in God Almighty. Let women be attracted to your spiritual attractiveness. Build up and then flex your spiritual muscles.

I know its hard to be modest in western society, but no one said following God would be easy, right? We should be different from this world, and not blend in. How will they see the light if we blend with darkness?

And of course, we have to avoid extremes, such as forcing people to be modest and so on. The is no compulsion in our relationship with God. We should want to cover up, and be modest because we are focusing on spiritual rewards and not earthly ones.

What say you?

Tsarina · Jul 3, 2007

I don't think it's just the Muslim women who are the most modest. A lot of the Orthodox Jewish women and Orthodox Christian women dress modestly. With head scarfs, long skirts and shirts that are not tight.

It can be hard to dress modestly for many in the West due to the many influences that people are under. Also shopping is difficult because western stores don't make a lot of modest clothing. I find this very hard for myself (I'm an Orthodox Christian women, and try to dress like one).

I'm grateful to how my Orthodox Church has thought women about modesty. It has helped me stay away from wrong attention from men on the streets, i feel more focused on God and spiritual when I'm not giving into too many worldly things, clothing in particular. I also feel more respected and feminine in my head scarf and my long skirt.

Oh btw, perhaps you want this thread to be in the fashion and clothing section?

God Bless

Lludmila · Jul 3, 2007

I think it is neat that you realize and are considerate of the lust that women like me are so likely to feel. You are interestingly equal-minded on the issue: something I do not see too much.

micbmac · Jul 19, 2007

I think u r right, but it's definately something i need to work on. I like to dress up, put on makeup, jewelry and i'm not doing it for God. I guess I do it to make myself feel better. But i definately would not want to wear a veil. Maybe i am too vain.

Touma · Jul 20, 2007

micbmac said:
I think u r right, but it's definately something i need to work on. I like to dress up, put on makeup, jewelry and i'm not doing it for God. I guess I do it to make myself feel better. But i definately would not want to wear a veil. Maybe i am too vain.

Don't be hard on yourself. Its something that takes practice, and I think God would be happy if you even took baby steps, because any way in the right direction is something that will delight Him

PennyLanePrincess · Jul 20, 2007

I agree with you but there's nothing wrong with wearing makeup and wanting to be pretty.Feeling confident in your self in how you present yourself gives you more confidence to witness.God designed women and men beautifully why should we cover it all up.
It is not about physical beauty it is all inward beauty but for your inner beauty to shine outwardly is an awesome thing.But yes I agree with you it's Christ in us that makes us beautiful.

fushiarose · Jul 20, 2007

Zilam said:
Hello brothers and sisters in Christ
(i hope this is in the right forum)
For the past year or so, I have started to surround myself with things and people pertaining to Islam, as I am going to do mission work with the Muslim people, and well I noticed the modesty of their women. Whether it be the Hijaab(head scarf) and Jilbaab(robes covering the body) or the niqaab(full covering head to toe), I find that their modesty, i n covering their body, only to reveal their beauty to their husbands and family, is far better than what I have seen from some of our sisters in christ. Now, I am not saying that women should be forced to cover up, but rather I am suggesting that you all let your beauty not come from form fitting clothes, make up, etc..., but rather let is shine from a strong devotion to our King, and keeping your selves modest.

To ensure you that this isn't a sexist thing, I also propose that men should re-consider their modesty as well. I know that when certain guys wear tight jeans, or take off their shirts, the ladies go crazy and drool. What we should do fellows is again let our beauty not come physical looks, but from our faith in God Almighty. Let women be attracted to your spiritual attractiveness. Build up and then flex your spiritual muscles.

I know its hard to be modest in western society, but no one said following God would be easy, right? We should be different from this world, and not blend in. How will they see the light if we blend with darkness?

And of course, we have to avoid extremes, such as forcing people to be modest and so on. The is no compulsion in our relationship with God. We should want to cover up, and be modest because we are focusing on spiritual rewards and not earthly ones.

What say you?

I just wish people of both sexes and all different ages would stop wearing low cut pants. I am tired of being mooned all the time. I work in retail and the things people will wear in public. I have seen stuff only the their spouse and health care providers should see.

EllaBella · Aug 10, 2007

Amen Brother!

Although I'm not such a fan of the head to toe covering, i'm all for modesty.

The less that the rest of the world sees - the more I get to save for my husband

HolySpiritWarrior · Aug 11, 2007

While we are in this convo do you guys think showing a tiny bit of cleavage is bad?

Trashionista · Aug 11, 2007

^ Depends on the place.

Nightclub, dinner with someone, party - fine.

I think cleavage at school is beyond tacky. Its a place to learn, not flaunt one's "goods". Likewise, I'd say in church, at a babyshower or something is also tacky.

The way I see it, modesty is difficult to determine. Wearing a calf-length trashbag would keep one's figure hidden, but is it exactly modest? A clown suit? Pajama pants? They all cover much skin, but people notice if its in the wrong setting. Are those really "modest" then?

Anyways, I don't care what other people wear. I'm a complete clothes-horse though, so I really care about my own style.

Touma · Aug 14, 2007

HolySpiritWarrior said:
While we are in this convo do you guys think showing a tiny bit of cleavage is bad?

I personally would go against it. I mean, why would you show it? Mostly to get someone to notice your curves. But they would only lead to lusting, right?

Riis · Aug 22, 2007

I do agree - modesty is one of my big things.... However I think modesty is an attitude of the heart more then about what we wear, in saying that I am still careful about what I wear but would never wear a headscarf actually thats not true I do occasionally wear head scarves but thats a fashion thing not a modesty thing lol. However I think modesty is an attitude of obedience and submission to God and those he has placed in charge of us. It's a decision not to stand out for the wrong reasons and for some of us a reminder to ourselves that we don't NEED to be the center of attention it's letting God's glory shine through us rather then our personality, make up or clothes but that doesn't mean that we get rid of the make up wear head to toe covering and walk around with our head down without saying a word. What it does mean is that we examine our motives for doing things and examine our priorities (Why am I wearing this skirt? What would I say if someone told me I shouldn't wear this skirt?) I find that when a piece of clothing or make up becomes more important to me then my relationship with God or another person then there is something wrong. Fashion and make up is fine in it's place but it needs to be something that we can do without...... I think by making hard and fast rules about the clothes and make up we wear we're completly missing the point of modesty.

EllaBella · Aug 23, 2007

I don't think cleavage is okay... under any circumstance (besides maybe the bedroom if you are married lol)

WannaWitness · Sep 3, 2007

Let's say a group of observers see a woman standing before them dressed in a simple T-shirt and normal fitting jeans. Very simple outfit. Some observers may say she is dressed perfectly fine. Others may say she is not modest when wearing pants and should be wearing a skirt. And still some may have an altogether different point of view.

All I know is that one thing a person might think is modest will be immodest to someone else (or the other way around). One will think you're to colorful; others will think you're too plain. There's really no pleasing people.

As for me, I wear normal-fitting pants, shirts that are not too tight or low-collared, and skirts below the knee. That is my basic convictions, but I realize everyone is different.

Touma · Sep 3, 2007

WannaWitness said:
Let's say a group of observers see a woman standing before them dressed in a simple T-shirt and normal fitting jeans. Very simple outfit. Some observers may say she is dressed perfectly fine. Others may say she is not modest when wearing pants and should be wearing a skirt. And still some may have an altogether different point of view.

All I know is that one thing a person might think is modest will be immodest to someone else (or the other way around). One will think you're to colorful; others will think you're too plain. There's really no pleasing people.

As for me, I wear normal-fitting pants, shirts that are not too tight or low-collared, and skirts below the knee. That is my basic convictions, but I realize everyone is different.

Well there are some things you know not to do, as in show off your breasts, rear, too much upper leg, etc, because at anytime, people can lust after you, or alternativly, it can affect your witness as people might then you(not you, rhetorically speaking) are [wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth] or whatever. So just go about with christ in mind, and cover up as much as possible. Its the best, and safest route.

WannaWitness · Sep 3, 2007

Zilam said:
So just go about with christ in mind, and cover up as much as possible. Its the best, and safest route.

That's what I do. I don't even feel right in a bathing suit anymore.

Anyway, I agree with you. We all need to ask ourselves no matter what we wear (do, eat, read, and so on) -- would we feel embarrassed if Jesus suddenly appeared before us?

Tsarina · Sep 3, 2007

WannaWitness said:
That's what I do. I don't even feel right in a bathing suit anymore.

same here.. but only for modesty reasons.

Trashionista · Sep 3, 2007

I hate to say it, but ANYTHING, even a beater could show too much cleavage.

If you have the body of a pre-pregnancy Nicole Richie maybe you'd be fine, or if you're small busted.

But if you're bigger busted of a bit curvier, its a tad more difficult to avoid showing cleavage. [What is too much is qualitative.]

And you can't say "Wear a turtleneck then!" Turtlenecks, cowl necks, crewnecks, etc. in that case would just draw ATTENTION to that area. A v-neck on a bustier person is just generally more flattering. It may be less material than a crewneck, but its probably more modest that a crewneck, in that case.

I'm with WannaWitness on this one. Wear whatever you feel most comfortable with.

WannaWitness · Sep 3, 2007

Tsarina said:
same here.. but only for modesty reasons.

That's my reason, as well.

Lotheriel · Sep 4, 2007

I agree with Tsarina and WannaWitness. I don't think I would ever wear a bathing suit.
I don't want to show my body or have tight clothes, I like my skirts have to be at least just below the knee and NO cleavage for me

My friends think I am a bit odd, its kinda hard going out shopping with them, they will want to buy short skirts. I remember I had a convo about modesty to them, asking them if they were really confortable having the opposite sex looking at their bodies in a lustful way. I guess most women would reply that they have the freedom to wear what they want, and if they want to wear a short skirt they will *sigh*.

I feel like I can be myself around people when I am covered up.

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