Modesty
Yes, modesty is important! It's important to our health, our privacy, our safety, our husband's reputation, our reputation, our spiritual life, our example in front of our children, their reputation, and in the public. It's also important in the church building, or wherever we gather, during pregnancy, during birth, when company comes over, when we have overnight guests in the home, and when we are a guest in someone's home. I guess I need to say, at all times, places, and occasions, modesty is important. The bible speaks of it*, our foremothers practiced it, for the most part, and that's a good enough reason for me, personally. I know our children will be exposed to immodest behaviour at some point, but why not limit it in their homelife, as best as we can, at least. And if they're taught (by example) it's ok to curse or talk rudely, or dress half-naked, they will certainly repeat it elsewhere. I'll go so far as to say, it's our job to teach them well, or let the world teach them otherwise.
And don't be guilty of putting on a modest front, and deceive others.
One example is in our everyday language, using immodest words, slang words, telling dirty jokes, etc. There's actually a scripture* that warns against this, in the New Testament. *Ephesians 5:4 KJV: "Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks."
One of the words I've tried to avoid in my older years, is saying the word pregnant. It might sound silly to some, and I don't want to offend anyone, and certainly have said this myself in the past, but I was convicted, and try to catch myself now. Just simply because for me, I don't remember my grandmother ever saying that word, she said "expecting". She was born in 1906, very modest, never said a curse word, and I don't ever remember her gossiping or carrying on with any kind of nonsense. I'm not perfect, as I've said before. It just came to my remembrance one day, prompted by the Holy Spirit after saying it, and hearing someone casually saying it, I was just convicted. So I say "expecting", as well. . .Does it make me a better person, no. Will we go to h*ll for saying it, no. It also gives me a sense of connecting to the modest woman who practically raised me. And it's honestly a word I don't remember anyone who was modest, saying, in the past, and one of the things I remember vividly, as a child. Now to me that's an example of (my grandmother) sowing a seed, and even though it took years to take root, I'm trying to water it and keep it alive, with the help of the good Lord.
You know one thing leads to another, and another and before you know it, you're fullblown - immodest. Why wouldn't we want to talk modestly in front of our children, for example? Because we want them to be modest, not little children who go around saying improper things to other children, or adults, or strangers, etc. One of them might be offended or embarrassed, as well as ourself.
Titus 2:3
3The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
4That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
5To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
"(3) The aged women likewise.--St. Paul, faithful to what had now become one of the guiding principles of Christianity, the equal position of women in the city of God, fellow-heirs with men in the citizenship of the city which hath foundations, proceeds to remind the elder women of Crete of their own high duties in the company of believers. They now--the women--must remember that the position which Christ and His disciples had claimed for them in the world was not without its grave responsibilities. These aged women of the flock, like the elders just exhorted, had also much to do for Christ.
That they be in behaviour as becometh holiness.--That is, that they should show themselves as it becometh holiness; or, more literally, in demeanour reverend. The Greek word rendered "in behaviour," or "in demeanour," includes dress, appearance, conversation, manner; includes an outward deportment dependent on something more internal. The elder Christian woman in her whole bearing should exhibit a certain dignity of sacred demeanour; there should be something in her general appearance, in her dress, in her speech, in her every-day behaviour, which the younger and more thoughtless sister could respect and reverence--an ideal she might hope one day, if the Master spared her so long, herself to reach."
1 Timothy 2:8-15
8I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
9In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
10But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
11Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
12But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
13For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
14And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
15Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
"2:8-15 Under the gospel, prayer is not to be confined to any one particular house of prayer, but men must pray every where. We must pray in our closets, pray in our families, pray at our meals, pray when we are on journeys, and pray in the solemn assemblies, whether more public or private. We must pray in charity; without wrath, or malice, or anger at any person. We must pray in faith, without doubting, and without disputing. Women who profess the Christian religion, must be modest in apparel, not affecting gaudiness, gaiety, or costliness. Good works are the best ornament; these are, in the sight of God, of great price. Modesty and neatness are more to be consulted in garments than elegance and fashion. And it would be well if the professors of serious godliness were wholly free from vanity in dress. They should spend more time and money in relieving the sick and distressed, than in decorating themselves and their children. To do this in a manner unsuitable to their rank in life, and their profession of godliness, is sinful. These are not trifles, but Divine commands. The best ornaments for professors of godliness, are good works. According to St. Paul, women are not allowed to be public teachers in the church; for teaching is an office of authority. But good women may and ought to teach their children at home the principles of true religion. Also, women must not think themselves excused from learning what is necessary to salvation, though they must not usurp authority. As woman was last in the creation, which is one reason for her subjection, so she was first in the transgression. But there is a word of comfort; that those who continue in sobriety, shall be saved in child-bearing, or with child-bearing, by the Messiah, who was born of a woman. And the especial sorrow to which the female sex is subject, should cause men to exercise their authority with much gentleness, tenderness, and affection."
Scriptures and commentaries from King James Bible Online.
And don't be guilty of putting on a modest front, and deceive others.
One example is in our everyday language, using immodest words, slang words, telling dirty jokes, etc. There's actually a scripture* that warns against this, in the New Testament. *Ephesians 5:4 KJV: "Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks."
One of the words I've tried to avoid in my older years, is saying the word pregnant. It might sound silly to some, and I don't want to offend anyone, and certainly have said this myself in the past, but I was convicted, and try to catch myself now. Just simply because for me, I don't remember my grandmother ever saying that word, she said "expecting". She was born in 1906, very modest, never said a curse word, and I don't ever remember her gossiping or carrying on with any kind of nonsense. I'm not perfect, as I've said before. It just came to my remembrance one day, prompted by the Holy Spirit after saying it, and hearing someone casually saying it, I was just convicted. So I say "expecting", as well. . .Does it make me a better person, no. Will we go to h*ll for saying it, no. It also gives me a sense of connecting to the modest woman who practically raised me. And it's honestly a word I don't remember anyone who was modest, saying, in the past, and one of the things I remember vividly, as a child. Now to me that's an example of (my grandmother) sowing a seed, and even though it took years to take root, I'm trying to water it and keep it alive, with the help of the good Lord.
You know one thing leads to another, and another and before you know it, you're fullblown - immodest. Why wouldn't we want to talk modestly in front of our children, for example? Because we want them to be modest, not little children who go around saying improper things to other children, or adults, or strangers, etc. One of them might be offended or embarrassed, as well as ourself.
Titus 2:3
3The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
4That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
5To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
"(3) The aged women likewise.--St. Paul, faithful to what had now become one of the guiding principles of Christianity, the equal position of women in the city of God, fellow-heirs with men in the citizenship of the city which hath foundations, proceeds to remind the elder women of Crete of their own high duties in the company of believers. They now--the women--must remember that the position which Christ and His disciples had claimed for them in the world was not without its grave responsibilities. These aged women of the flock, like the elders just exhorted, had also much to do for Christ.
That they be in behaviour as becometh holiness.--That is, that they should show themselves as it becometh holiness; or, more literally, in demeanour reverend. The Greek word rendered "in behaviour," or "in demeanour," includes dress, appearance, conversation, manner; includes an outward deportment dependent on something more internal. The elder Christian woman in her whole bearing should exhibit a certain dignity of sacred demeanour; there should be something in her general appearance, in her dress, in her speech, in her every-day behaviour, which the younger and more thoughtless sister could respect and reverence--an ideal she might hope one day, if the Master spared her so long, herself to reach."
1 Timothy 2:8-15
8I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
9In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
10But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
11Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
12But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
13For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
14And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
15Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
"2:8-15 Under the gospel, prayer is not to be confined to any one particular house of prayer, but men must pray every where. We must pray in our closets, pray in our families, pray at our meals, pray when we are on journeys, and pray in the solemn assemblies, whether more public or private. We must pray in charity; without wrath, or malice, or anger at any person. We must pray in faith, without doubting, and without disputing. Women who profess the Christian religion, must be modest in apparel, not affecting gaudiness, gaiety, or costliness. Good works are the best ornament; these are, in the sight of God, of great price. Modesty and neatness are more to be consulted in garments than elegance and fashion. And it would be well if the professors of serious godliness were wholly free from vanity in dress. They should spend more time and money in relieving the sick and distressed, than in decorating themselves and their children. To do this in a manner unsuitable to their rank in life, and their profession of godliness, is sinful. These are not trifles, but Divine commands. The best ornaments for professors of godliness, are good works. According to St. Paul, women are not allowed to be public teachers in the church; for teaching is an office of authority. But good women may and ought to teach their children at home the principles of true religion. Also, women must not think themselves excused from learning what is necessary to salvation, though they must not usurp authority. As woman was last in the creation, which is one reason for her subjection, so she was first in the transgression. But there is a word of comfort; that those who continue in sobriety, shall be saved in child-bearing, or with child-bearing, by the Messiah, who was born of a woman. And the especial sorrow to which the female sex is subject, should cause men to exercise their authority with much gentleness, tenderness, and affection."
Scriptures and commentaries from King James Bible Online.
*The word modest (referring to modest apparel) is used only once in the bible (KJV), but the term modesty with its varied definition and description, is referred to throughout the bible.
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