Whatever Happened to Modesty
May 19, 2010
Personal note: I received this forward from one of our readers. It’s short and to the point. With the summer months coming soon, the following counsel regarding modesty is timely. It includes four guidelines for modesty.
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Quoting:
It’s been a while since I’ve seen MTV, but I was flabbergasted. I could not believe the sensuality and decadence I witnessed. Gail and I finally had to turn it off. We just couldn’t take it any more.
As I thought about my experience later, it made me sad. I am the father of five daughters. So perhaps I’m just a little overly sensitive. But I was shocked at the complete absence of modesty, the ridicule of virginity, and the latent misogyny displayed by Russell Brand and many of the artists themselves.
One of the few redeeming moments in the evening was when Jordin Sparks referring to Brand’s contempt for chastity, said, I just have one thing to say about promise rings: It’s not bad to wear a promise ring, because not everybody, guy or girl, wants to be a slut.”
Touché. It must have struck a nerve, because the next time Brand appeared, he apologized for his comments. Sort of.
Regardless, it got me to thinking,
Where are these girls fathers? Has anyone ever taught them the concept of modesty?
Where are these girls fathers? Has anyone ever taught them the concept of modesty? Or have all the men in their lives simply exploited them as sex objects
Don’t get me wrong; I’m not a prude. But I do think some basic guidelines are in order. These are not rules about skirt length or the amount of cleavage you can show. I’m just not a very good legalist; they are simply guidelines.
I gave these to my girls when they were growing up. Frankly, they haven’t been perfect in following them. Modern culture exerts a powerful influence. Nevertheless, I wanted them to have something that would transcend current fashion and guide their attire once they were older and, perhaps, a little wiser.
Here they are: “Four Guidelines for Modesty”:
If you have trouble getting into it or out of it, it is probably not modest.
If you have to be careful when you sit down or bend over, it is probably not modest.
If people look at any part of your body before looking at your face, it is probably not modest.
If you can see your most private body parts or an outline of those parts under the fabric, it is probably not modest.
If you think these guidelines are helpful, you might want to pass them along to the young women you know. Evidently, not many are getting the message elsewhere.
http://michaelhyatt.com/2008/09/whatever-happened-to-modesty.html
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As we approach the summer months, I would urge pastors and youth group leaders, and moms, dads, and grandparents to teach those under their love and care about what is pleasing and honoring to the Lord.
One resource that we find particularly helpful is Nancy Leigh DeMoss’ “The Look: Does God really care what I wear?”
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