Thursday, December 15, 2011

A Twist on Modesty and Beauty

So, I ran across this verse in my quiet time and my mind started racing and I just kept thinking of it and what it meant. i thought of it in a way I never thought about it before, really. So, I have decided to share it with you all.

1 Peter 3:3-4
3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

Lies from the world - You must have the latest haircut, shoes, and jewelry. You have to be skinny and wear the best make-up. Who you are isn't. good enough. You need to bump it up and bring attention to yourself.
The world teaches us to wear more attractive (Possibly less modest) clothing. The world teaches us to always think about what others are going to think when they watch us. We want to look amazing. Sometimes we want to look like the image of that image of a perfect girl that Satan has set out for us to look up to and want to be. The world says to focus on yourself so that others will pay attention. The world tells us that the more we "perfect" ourselves the happier we will be, yet the world is constantly setting higher standards. Unable to meet these standards and make ourselves look good to the world around us (or that certain boy) we get beaten down. We get down on ourselves thinking we aren't good enough. Hence, crash diets, less modest clothing or attitude, eating disorders, etc. The world teaches us self worship. Satan sets out all these lies and traps to make us think all these things.
The bible says in 1 Peter 3:4
4 "Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight"
- Th world doesn't show us this. The world shows us in television and books this girl who is kind and sweet, but she is the school nerd or the quiet shy girl who doesn't have the latest fashion-forward outfit or attitude. No one gets to know her until she changes clothes and gets a certain attitude causing people to notice her. The world is always focusing on what you look like and how you portray yourself. Whenever we think,"How can I improve myself?"it turns into,"How can I improve myself in the sight of others?" Our mind doesn't always zoom to ask,"How can I improve myself in the sight of God." (At least I know mine doesn't always)
Are we thinking of who God wants us to be when we say that certain word in private or when we think a certain thought we shouldn't?
1 Peter 3:5
.5 "This is how the holy women of the past used to make themselves beautiful."
- In scripture it says holy women of the past did this. They focused on their inner selves. the holy women of the PAST. The standards Peter mentioned in this scripture are not limited to any particular time or culture. The same standards God had so many years ago was still the same then and remains that way today.
 John 1:1
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
- He calls us to be gentle and quiet spirits. This is true beauty in God's eyes.Are we constantly striving towards this or are we letting the world take our minds away from this.
Often we get too focused on what the world thinks. We get too proud if the world thinks good of us, if not we get down on ourselves. But self-loathing is still self-worship because you are still focusing on yourself and you have the center of your attention. The world teaches us to do all of these things out of selfish ambition.and for selfish gain. Scripture says in Philippians 2:3 :
3 "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,"
-For Christians this is a required mind-set for unity with brothers and sisters in Christ. This verse encourages that we have the right attitude towards ourselves and others. Not that we should consider others in higher ranking than ourselves, but that Christian love sees others as worthy of preferential treatment.
God called us to be humble.
Humble- Not arrogant, The absence of pride. Modest.
1 Timothy 2:9-10
9 I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 10 but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.
-Before we can dress modestly we have to think modestly.
"Is this outfit honoring and helping my brothers in Christ?" "Is it encouraging them to think pure thoughts?"
Romans 14:13
13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.
Philippians 4:8
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
- Dressing immodestly creates an obstacle for our brothers in Christ to fall into. When God's word is encouraging them to think what is pure and lovely are we trying to make them fall?
Modesty begins in our minds and is shown through our actions. just like it says in 1 Timothy 2:9
Thinking modestly asks,"Am I dressing to draw attention to myself?"

1 Timothy 2:9 gives examples such as braided hair, gold , pearls, and expensive clothing.
These things were extremely luxurious and were considered a proud personal display. Do we dress up to display ourselves and draw attention to ourselves?God has not called us to be proud and showy, but we should "clothe" ourselves in actions that profess that we worship God and He lives in us.
We should be noticed for being different from the world and not noticed for ourselves, but for Him who lives in us.
2 Corinthians 4:6
6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
- God put us here on this earth for His glorification. He gave us a manual to life: The Bible We are to shine His light and when His light shines through our lives and we let Him live in us we are the truly beautiful women God sees. He sent His Son to die so that we could have the opportunity to accept Him and to have eternal life and to have the opportunity to ask His forgiveness. When we ask His forgiveness every sin is forgotten and lost in His grace and mercy so he doesn't see that sin.
Grace- And undeserved favor or gift. The undeserved kindness that God gives us.
Mercy- Kindness and forgiveness, especially when given to someone who doesn't deserve it.
"Mercy is God not giving us what we do deserve and grace is God giving us what we don't deserve." -I don't know the author

So, that's what's been on my mind lately.
Thanks to my mom for her editing and thanks to my study bible for very interesting info.
Most of all a big thanks to God for opening my mind and heart :)
Comments are highly appreciated!

Til next time,
Vivian