10/22

Modesty
Introduction
What does modesty mean? (ask the girls)
Write on the board.
Modesty

Immodesty

What's modest? What's immodest? (Make a list)

Definition of modesty:

(Webster 1828, 1913)

That lowly temper which accompanies a moderate estimate of one's own worth and importance. This
temper when natural, springs in some measure from timidity, and in young and inexperienced persons,
is allied to bashfulness and diffidence. In persons who have seen the world, and lost their natural
timidity, modesty springs no less from principle than from feeling, and is manifested by retiring,
unobtrusive manners, assuming less to itself than others are willing to yield, and conceding to others all
due honor and respect, or even more than they expect or require.
2. Modesty, as an act or series of acts, consists in humble, unobtrusive deportment, as opposed to
extreme boldness, forwardness, arrogance, presumption, audacity or impudence. Thus we say, the
petitioner urged his claims with modesty; the speaker addressed the audience with modesty.
3. Moderation; decency.
4. In females, modesty has the like character as in males; but the word is used also as
synonymous with chastity, or purity of manners. In this sense, modesty results from purity of
mind, or from the fear of disgrace and ignominy fortified by education and principle. Unaffected
modesty is the sweetest charm of female excellence, the richest gem in the diadem of their honor.
1. The quality or state of being modest; that lowly temper which accompanies a moderate estimate of
one's own worth and importance; absence of self-assertion, arrogance, and presumption; humility
respecting one's own merit.
2. Natural delicacy or shame regarding personal charms and the sexual relation; purity of thought and
manners; due regard for propriety in speech or action.
Modesty is not about just dressing modestly. Modesty is about an attitude of modesty.
Read 1 Peter 3:3-4 (New King James Version)
3 Do not let your adornment be merely outwardarranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine
apparel 4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and
quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.
God wants us to be modest in our attitude and appearance.

Why should we be modest?

1.) Because God wants us to be modest.
Ephesians 5:8-10 (New King James Version)
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the
fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the
Lord.
We should stand apart from a world that is saturated with immodesty and sexuality.
1 Timothy 2:9-10 (New King James Version)
9 in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and
moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10 but, which is proper for
women professing godliness, with good works.
"Women professing to worship God, as the verse indicates, should focus more on adorning themselves
with godly deeds. Barnes' Commentary says this: 'It is not appropriate for women who profess to be
followers of the Saviour, to seek to be distinguished for personal, external decorations. If they are
Christians, they have seen the vanity of these things, and have fixed the heart on more substantial
realities. They are professed followers of Him "who went about doing good," and the performance of
good works especially becomes them. They profess to have fixed the affections on God their Saviour,
and to be living for heaven; and it is not becoming in them to seek such ornaments as would indicate
that the heart is supremely attached to worldly things.'"
These verses are specifically referring to what women should wear to worship.
"When Paul wrote the verses pertaining to the proper apparel of women in worship, his main concern
was that nothing would serve to distract from God during a worship service. . . . This is not just a
caution against immodest clothing but rather, against any outfit that would distract our attention from
God."
2.) Because we should not cause our fellow believers (guys) to stumble.
Remember, guys are visually oriented.
In Austin, Texas, some boys at a mall were interviewed. They were asked to tell their thoughts on the
"skin-baring" fashions.
They said that girls "show more to get attention" and that girls are telling guys to "come and get it!"
3.) Because we respect ourselves.
Girls dress immodestly because they feel their worth is based on what they look like and because they
can get attention from guys.
They haven't discovered that true beauty comes from the inside.

A girl who wears modest clothing shows that she is comfortable with who she is and doesn't feel the
need to "flaunt," "show off" her body, or "fit in" by wearing the latest fashions.
1 Samuel 16:7 (New King James Version)
7 But the LORD said to Samuel, Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I
have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance,
but the LORD looks at the heart.
God looks past our appearance and looks into our hearts.
When He looks in your heart, what does He see? Does He see a meek and quiet spirit? Or does He see
a heart that is focused on outer beauty and showing off?