Christians, what does modesty mean to you?

[Anonymous]

Is it involved in how you dress, or is it the attitude you have, or both?

[CountryWanderer]

In the New Testament, modesty is always connected to flaunting wealth. So it's about showing off and making other's envious or feel lesser. Now, there's also a concept of chastity and not being sexually promiscuous in thought as well as actions.

It is a heart issue, but your heart is reflected in how you conduct yourself. Specifically regarding dress, are you dressing up to show off? Are you intentionally dressing to provoke sexual attention? Are you deliberately flaunting your Christian liberty to cause another Christian to do something they aren't comfortable with? Do you boast about yourself? Try to make other's look bad? If yes to any of those, you're immodest.

In contrast, are you dressing to preserve basic decency according to your local area and situation? Are you respecting someone else's expressed struggle when you're around them? Are you helping encourage others or promote your faith? Then you're modest.

Notice I didn't say anything about specific clothing standards, coverage, etc. Because the instructions to churches in the New Testament don't mention these, either.

[CountryWanderer]

Usually, if you're worried about being immodest, you're modest. Now, you might accidentally be inappropriate for cultural norms, which isn't polite. But that's easy to fix.

[Jamie05rhs]

It means not showing so much of your body so as to entice the opposite gender sexually.

[Asker]

Is a cleavage showing dress acceptable?

[Jamie05rhs]

No, not really. Because that's contributing to the problem. When we men see boobs, we think about sex. (It's a natural biological reaction.)
So, I mean, unless you want guys to think those thoughts about you, it would probably be best to avoid triggering their sex drive in that way.

[Asker]

I don’t want anyone but my partner to think those thoughts about me. Okay, that’s very helpful. Thanks 😊😊

[DerekC321]

Even if a guy thinks those thoughts about you, it doesn't mean they will do anything.

[Asker]

@DerekC321 true

[Jamie05rhs]

@Asker You're welcome!

[Jamie05rhs]

And yes; @DerekC321 is correct. It may just make them horny. But even if a guy is horny, he can keep it to himself.

[strateguy632]

to @Jamie05rhs , content men, i disagree because our responsibility is not to stare ergo they can't be blamed for showing cleavage, especially never obligated precisely what to cover so in our society we can dress same as is common to show some cleavage and a mini skirt etc. but not beach wear in the city. just what is common.

[Jamie05rhs]

@strateguy632 I never said anything about staring.
Of course we aren't supposed to stare.

But you don't need to stare at tits in order to get horny. If they're there, they're there.

[CountryWanderer]

I disagree, in part. Deliberately flaunting your sexuality indiscriminately (rather than for your significant other) is unchaste. However, simply wearing a dress or top with cleavage isn't that. How men react when a woman hasn't deliberately sought to provoke them isn't her fault.

[CountryWanderer]

@DerekC321 and @strateguy632 are correct

[Jamie05rhs]

@CountryWanderer Displaying your tits is a deliberate provocation. I don't understand how this is so hard to comprehend. This is basic stuff.

[CountryWanderer]

Do you ever take your shirt off in public, @Jamie05rhs?

[Jamie05rhs]

@CountryWanderer Are you advocating women going topless now? Because that isn't Biblical.
Congratulations, sir; you just played yourself.

[CountryWanderer]

@Jamie05rhs you didn't answer the question

[Jamie05rhs]

Because you asked an idiotic question.

[Asker]

It’s not in my case is it a deliberate provocation. I just have nice breasts and it makes me feel pretty to display them in a pretty dress.

[CountryWanderer]

Why is it idiotic? It used to be unacceptable for men to go shirtless on beaches, and absolutely women can find a shirtless guy really attractive

[CountryWanderer]

Asker: Exactly. You aren't being deliberately sexual, and are within what's socially common and acceptable.

[Jamie05rhs]

@Asker "It makes me feel pretty." Exactly. It would make me "feel pretty" to walk around in my underwear. Because I look sexy in it. But I don't do that. Because it isn't appropriate.

[Jamie05rhs]

@CountryWanderer Stop enabling her.

[Jamie05rhs]

@CountryWanderer I don't take my shirt off anyway. So you're barking up the wrong tree.

[CountryWanderer]

@Jamie05rhs okay, that's fair and a consistent standard

[Jamie05rhs]

Okay; thank you.

[ChiTown33]

I think it comes down to valuing ones self. In principal I could care less how one dresses. Dress the way you and what's comfortable to you. However when someone's ass is hanging out of thier shorts (to put it bluntly) I fail to see how they're doing for themselves. And if you need guys oogling you to feel beautiful I question whether you truly value yourself. Because because you are 1000 things more than just your physical form.

Modesty to me means knowing that God made you unique he knows every hair on your head intimately. You are insignificant in a vast universe he created but absolutely precious to him. Don't dimish your yourself.

That's my take.

[Spongebobssocks]

Its both. How to dress, how to treat people around you:)

[Asker]

I’m modest in my values, but I’m wondering about the way I dress?

[Spongebobssocks]

Alright i'm listening?:)

[Asker]

Well, I’ve been through some hardships that have softened my hard heart and made me achieve humility in my personality. On the other hand, I wear dresses that show my cleavage. Not with the purpose of attracting men, only because I live in a hot area and it’s more comfortable to let skin show. Except for one dress, that I like to wear in autumn, because I have good breasts and I think it looks pretty. Should I get rid of all my cleavage showing dresses to fully achieve modesty? Or should I figure that all men lust after women no matter what we wear, as that’s been my experience?

[Spongebobssocks]

I'm glad you have grown emotionally:)

If I were you I would either wear somewhere underneath to cover your clevege or throw them out. However it is all up to you

[Asker]

Okay, I’ll stop wearing them except if I’m married, for my husband. 😊. Thanks 😘😊

[Spongebobssocks]

Sounds like a good plan!

No worries, glad I could help. May God bless you with the perfect husband!😌👍🏻

Bye!

[Asker]

Bye 😊😊. Thanks again

[CountryWanderer]

Asker, I don't think you're doing anything wrong. It's okay to dress for hot weather, and okay to dress pretty. You can enjoy how God made you and dress in a way that highlights parts of you. You can do that without flaunting and showing off.

[BigDog1989]

It's funny, most cheerleaders are Christians, and you can see how "immodest their uniforms" are, AND when they're out dancing, in general too, like, clubs. Have ya seen how they dress?

[Asker]

Yes, I know exactly what you mean lol

[strateguy632]

they cover what must be covered. christians aren't muslims nor married jewish women.

[strateguy632]

this question actually connects to a nearby question in this topic religion, modest refers to not luxury pearl and gold. a modest wedding band is customary but must be modest.

[Hispanic-Cool-Guy]

The context of that scripture is in regards to clothing.

Modesty simply means not be extreme showing all your tits, butt almost showing.

You can look good and sexy without looking like a street hooker.

[Lara_Croft]

The position of my heart and how I chose to represent Christ through my dress as I'm his Ambassador

[Anonymous]

How did Mother Mary dress? Why? How do nuns dress? Why?

[strateguy632]

mary? probably a long robe like religious muslims except hair showed. why? because of culture there and then. nuns dress however preists decreed. but not due to book.

[Opinion Owner]

@strateguy632 Ok. Thanks. Awesome to imagine that if Mary was born in modern day America or even Turkiye or Lebanon, mother Mary would be roaming around in thongs.

[TonyMetal___86]

Both ofc