Modesty is Part of Your Ministry

While modesty is not popular (or favored) today, there are many reasons ladies of God must cover up. Several obvious ones would be that we are commanded by God in Scripture (1 Tim. 2:9), we don't want to encourage adultery in fellow males (Matt. 5:28), we have to be different from the world (Rom. 12:2), and so forth. Yet there's a much more pressing reason why modesty is so serious.

While reading Amy Carmichael's biography, one story in her ministry spoke volumes to me. While Amy was on her first venture to witness to the people of Japan, she was offered to wear a kimono instead of her English style of dress but she declined because of comfort reasons. When she arrived to an elderly lady's home and began to tell her of Jesus and what He had done for her, the woman listened intently and Amy said that she was ever close to receiving Christ as her Savior. Then all of the sudden the lady took notice of Amy's English fur gloves...something the native had never seen before. As the lady started touching them and asking questions, Amy knew at that moment she had lost her. She determined to never wear her English attire while doing mission work again.

This story stood out to me because it reminded me of the power of distraction, because in the same way, immodesty is a distraction and we lose the power of the gospel when we dress in a revealing way. When we emphasize or display our feminine assets, we put people's eyes, thoughts, and attention on ourself instead of Christ. How can a man think on eternal things when we are distracting him with our body parts? And how can we let our lights shine for the glory of God when we are drawing all eyes to our skin and our sense of style?

If we get to the root of immodesty, we would simply find that it is purely selfish. It's wearing what I want to wear; it's getting everyone to notice me; it's making me feel good; it's broadcasting my good looks; it's getting what I desire (i.e. attention or a man)...These are not to be the intentions of a woman of God. You have been saved by the blood of Christ and are to now to glorify God with your body (1 Cor. 6:20). How can this be done in provocative clothing?

It grieves me because too many precious girls who proclaim to love God are not obeying His commandments (John 14:15). They want to do great things for the Lord but don't realize that they must begin with obediently doing as He says. If you truly desire to minister to others for the glory of Christ, may I suggest starting with modesty? It truly is a ministry. Every time you deny to wear that "cute" yet revealing blouse, you are helping your brothers not to stumble into sin and are therefore aiding their walk with God. Every time you cover up and dress in a feminine style, you are honoring your Creator by delighting in the way He made you and are being an example. And every time you decide to not to dress like the world in their skimpy trends, you are being a light for Christ and are therefore giving Him the glory (Mat. 5:16).

Whether we are verbally spreading the gospel or not, we represent the Lord and are walking examples of the gospel on a daily basis. Your clothes send a message. Let me ask you, dear sisters-in-Christ, is that message one that tributes to the gospel or your selfish desires? Is it one that points to Christ or to yourself? While you should delight in being a female, God did not create you to display your feminine secrets to all passers-by. We are not to be a looking glass to our own charms but rather a reflection of what Christ has done. When you cover up with a desire to please your Lord, you are showing a dark world the change God has so graciously worked in your heart (2 Cor. 5:17).

Our life should be a ministry, and as we share the gospel with all creatures (Mark 16:15) modesty must be apart of that ministry. As we choose to cover up, we will be a greater testimony for a hurting world and will honor our Lord as we seek to prevent distracting others from the gospel.

When we choose our clothes for the day, may we dress in such a way that when people see us they see not ourself, but the One who saved our soul and is changing us to become more and more like Him (2 Cor. 3:18).