Adorned Modestly

"And that women would also pray with clean hearts, dressed appropriately and adorned modestly and sensibly, not flaunting their wealth. But they should be recognized instead by their beautiful deeds of kindness, suitable as one who worships God." 1Timothy 2:9-10

Timothy is writing to the church, to express the expectation of godly conduct for women of the faith. As women of the faith we shoud be recognized and known for the beauty within. There is a delight and a pleasure that woman can leave on others when we are clothed appropriately, speak kindly, display the fruit of the spirit, and reflect Jesus. Women of the world cloth themselves with golds and jewels, name brands, fancy clothes and handbags, minimal clothing hoping to attract others to be drawn to them. In contrast women of God, have found their identity and worth in God, they practice clothing themselves in grace, meekness, and humility, not drawing attention to their possesions or themselves but their character and good deeds.  As an American young woman, I remeber the constant brain washing of Hollywood and media such as magazines and television influencing my idea of a "beautiful woman".No one ever showed me what a Christian woman should look like in scripture or in conversation. I grew up in the church but lacked the knowledge and application of the word in my life. I was caught in bewteen what the world was influencing and the conviction of "what would my dad think of my outfit". As a young woman I often would reflect on whether or not my parents would be pleased. This was the beginning of the Holy Spirit giving me discernment through small thoughts. Little did I know, my heavenly father was using my relationship with my earthy father to guide my decisions. Would this please my dad? and now as a more mature believer, i ask myself "Does this please my Heavenly Father? The holy spirit provides the truth. And it is my responsibility to obey or disobey. As a woman of God, we should heed to God's voice and his standards over any other voice in this world. We should cloth ourselves in modesty not allowing our bodies to cause our brothers in Christ to sin over us. For we will be judged for everything we do. My heart cringes for the times I disobeyed and became a slave to my flesh. I rationalized carnally and not spiritually. I allowed my insecurities in self-worth to gain validation by compliments of others. It's shameful to look back at the moments when I purchased clothes I should have never, wore heavy makeup to look fake, emphasized the importance of material possessions over who i really was without all the coverups. However, the desire for modesty didn't happen overnight, it was the gentle voice of God who spoke love over me again and again reminding me that I am loved, I am adorn, I am his workmanship, I am his daughter, I am his beloved. I eventually stopped craving the attention from others, because I was finally confident in who God made me. This God-fidence began to empower me to desire coverage, to take pride in keeping my body for my husband. I learned that my body was not mine, scripture says that our bodies are the temple of the living God. God lives inside the believer. Why would God want to dwell in a heart that is adulterous to Him? Why would God want to share this body with the world? Why would God want to dwell in a temple that was impure? He desires a holy habitation, a holy temple, a cleansed heart, a undefiled body, a sanctified and redeemed person.

When one begins to find their identity in God, the nature of God can then permeate through the individual. The holy spirit begins to display his fruit; love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and self-control. This is the adornment we should desire. The goal is to be pleasing to the Lord in all that we do (mind, body, and soul).

So today, I encourage you to reflect on this verse. Ask yourself am I causing others to sin? Is this pleasing to God? Am I idolizing material possession over God?

The truth is, this is the life of a believer. We are called to grow in the Lord, to become sanctified saints, disciplined disciples. It is a process and a journey, its God's grace writing your story.

Pray this with me:

Dear God,

Help me to find confidence in who you say I am, remove the desire to fit into this world and its beauty trends. rather influence me by your holy spirit to reflect your beauty in this dark world who needs the light of Christ in me. Give me the desire to do what pleases you alone. Amen.

"Charm can be misleading, and beauty is vain and so quickly fades, but this virtuous woman lives in the wonder awe, and fear of the Lord. She will be praised throughout eternity." (proverbs 31:30 TPT)