Speaking of modesty....

Modesty, a subject often spoken about in our home. Maybe it has a little something to do with having several daughters that it keeps coming up. It is a topic of much discussion in our home as we strive to raise our daughters to be "in the world" but not "of the world." I found it interesting when I looked the word up in the 1828 Dictionary of Noah Webster~That lowly temper which accompanies a moderate estimate of one's own worth and importance. This temper when natural, springs in some measure from timidity, and in young and inexperienced persons, is allied to bashfulness and diffidence. In persons who have seen the world, and lost their natural timidity, modesty springs no less from principle than from feeling, and is manifested by retiring, unobtrusive manners, assuming less to itself than others are willing to yield, and conceding to others all due honor and respect, or even more than they expect or require.

It goes on to say~Modesty, as an act or series of acts, consists in humble, unobtrusive deportment, as opposed to extreme boldness, forwardness, arrogance,presumption, audacity or impudence. The word is also used as synonymous with chastity, or purity of manners. In this sense, modesty results from purity of mind, or from the fear of disgrace and ignominy fortified by education and principle. Unaffected modesty is the sweetest charm of female excellence, the richest gem in the diadem of their honor.

As we see here, modesty is NOT just about what we wear! I Samuel 16-7~For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." Well now, that's a relief right? Now we have biblical proof that we can 'gloss' over the subject of dressing modestly. WAIT, that doesn't sound right! I Timothy 2:8-10~ "I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but which is proper for women professing godliness with good works."

Let's end the "Hostage Crisis" by determining right now that we will no longer follow the trends of our decadent culture. In matters of personal holiness, why not shoot on the high side? The church is a Bride, not a harlot. Let's determine to adorn ourselves modestly, both inwardly and outwardly.~Harold Vaughan

God promises blessing to obedient children. That should be a powerful motivation for Christian parents because they love their children and want God’s blessing upon them. Today, many parents have developed a pattern of responding to their children rather than instructing and training them. They spend a lot of energy negotiating with their children, often lowering some standard in the process. Parents have been seduced by self-esteem propaganda (e.g., "My son is student of the month at…") and the very liberal idea that a family should be a mini-democracy. The result is child-centered family relationships that may have more in common with anarchy than Biblical order and harmony.

Joshua declared before all the people, "but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." For Joshua, serving the Lord was a family affair. His was a right-side-up view of family. Christian parents, standing together as "benevolent dictators," should be teaching their children respect for the holiness of God in every area of life ― even when they don’t like it. Parents who model and enforce Biblical moral and ethical values consistently in the family home are protecting their children by setting standards of thought and conduct that will help keep them anchored spiritually and socially as they mature.