Society’s view about modesty
has drastically changed since our grandmother’s day. What was once
offensive is today socially acceptable. What was once spoken of between
husbands and wives is now open conversation. In the past, modesty was a
protected virtue. Today, society embraces immodesty as a natural
expression of self.
God’s Word calls us to a higher standard. We are instructed to live pure and
holy lives. There is promise in Titus 2:11-14! “After all, God’s saving
kindness has appeared for the benefit of all people. It trains us to avoid
ungodly lives in this present world. At the same time we can expect what we
hope for – the appearance of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus
Christ. He gave Himself for us to set us free from every sin and to cleanse us
so that we can be His special people who are enthusiastic about doing good
things.”
Modesty is God’s way of keeping unmarried men and women out of harm’s way.
Parents do best to protect their children by teaching them that they are
“temples of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). God cautions us not to
“arouse or awaken love before its proper time” (Song of Songs 3:5b).
Embarrassment is God’s way of leading us away from danger. It is a natural
defense designed by God to protect us from impurity. Adam and Eve’s first
reaction to their sin against God was to cover themselves in fig leaves and try
to hide. Fig leaves were insufficient. The Lord covered their shame by
clothing them in garments of skin.
The
Heavenly Father provides a model for all parents and grandparents in Titus
2:3-8. “Tell older women to live their lives in a way that shows they are
dedicated to God. Tell them not to be gossips or addicted to alcohol, but to be
examples of virtue. In this way they will teach young women to show love to
their husbands and children, to use good judgment, and to be morally pure.
Also, tell them to teach young women to be homemakers, to be kind, and to place
themselves under their husbands’ authority. Then no one can speak evil of God’s
word.
“Encourage young men to use good judgment. Always set an example by doing good
things. When you teach, be an example of moral purity and dignity. Speak an
accurate message that cannot be condemned. Then those who oppose us will be
ashamed because they cannot say anything bad about us.”
It
is important to remember that God did not create male and female at the same
time, in the same way, or for the same purpose. His model for us in Titus
carefully considers gender by setting boundaries which protect the physical and
psychological differences of male and female.
Society does not love our children as God does. His Word is like a fence around
a home. It protects those in the home and provides a fertile garden where
virtue has a chance to grow. Within this safe environment, parents who trust
and use the Word are equipped to guard modesty, set protective boundaries for
the path of life, and point to a future of hope.
We
need not be discouraged by the constant attacks of an immodest world or our own
past mistakes! God has redeemed us through the death and resurrection of His
Son Jesus Christ! We are empowered by God’s Word for modest and holy living! We
are equipped for gentle witness! Through the study of God’s Word and practice
of mentoring, we are encouraged and equipped to confidently step out of our
closet to live as modest women in an immodest age.
By Linda Bartlett, Jill Botsford,
and Judy Hayen
The founder and partners of Titus
2 for Life
All Scripture is taken from GOD’S
WORD TO THE NATIONS, Word Publishing
FIRST PUBLISHED IN THE LWML
QUARTERLY, Winter 2005
Everyone
laughs. Do you?