A Plea For Modesty

by Josh Wiehagen

"I have absolutely nothing to wear!" is a complaint I have heard
from many girls. Every time I hear it I can't help but think, "Well
please at least wear something!" And while I admit that my unspoken
request has always been granted, I can't say I'm always completely
impressed with the . . . coverage.

Now don't get me wrong: I like girls, and the thought of seeing more
of them this summer is not an unpleasant one. However, as a son of
the King of Kings, I have been given a higher standard of purity.
(Check out 1Timothy 2:22, Ephesians 5:3.)

Wow, not even a hint of impurity? That's a tall order. Add to it the
fact that my raging hormones and I like to see girls (a little too much
at times) and it becomes a difficult order to live up to. But according
to 1Corinthians 10:13, no temptation or task placed before me is too
much for me to handle. And of course, I can do all things through
Christ, who strengthens me. So I've decided that this year I am going
to do all that I can to keep my way pure. I'm going to try to keep my
eyes from staring, my mouth from drooling, my mind from wandering,
and my heart from sinning—but it would be a whole lot easier if I had
some help from the girls.

I realize that it's hot out, and I realize that the fashionable American
female is wearing less and less these days. I also realize that with
the season's change, putting together an outfit you like can be a
daunting task. I'm not asking for anyone to become a nun, and I'm
not asking for any miracles. I'm just asking for a little help. Contrary
to what my flesh wants to see, I am asking for a little less skin to be
shown and for a little more clothing to be worn.

Again, let me be clear. I'd like to see girls in tube tops and miniskirts.
I'd like to "read" words written across the fronts of tiny tees. And my
imagination wouldn't have to work very hard if I could trace the outline
of the body of a girl wearing an airtight pair of jeans. But that's just the
problem: what my flesh would like to see is not what I need to dwell on.
And if you think about it, it's not what you'd want me to dwell on, either.

Let me illustrate: Let's say that you and I happened to be in the same
department store and that we were complete strangers. Let's also say
that, by coincidence, I happened to be dressed exactly like the sales
people who worked in the store. So you come up to me and say, "Excuse
me; I'd like to check out now." To you, this seems perfectly reasonable
because you believe I work there. Imagine how confused you would be
when I replied, "Okay, then I suggest you find someone who works
here and get them to ring you up." At this point, we will both be a little
frustrated and a lot confused—all because I was dressed a certain way.

The way I was dressed would have given you a false impression of who
I was and what I was there for; the way you dress can do the same to
us guys. You might really be a modest person at heart, but the way
you dress can betray your good intentions. And as a daughter of the
Most High, as a princess who is to be prized "more than rubies"
(see Proverbs 31), such a betrayal would be an utter shame. It would
be confusing and frustrating for both you and the guys you want to impress.

"Don't be concerned about the outward beauty that depends on fancy
hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should be
known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty
of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. That is the
way the holy women of old made themselves beautiful." (1Peter 3:3-5, NLT)