worth reading

This past Sunday the members of our church received a letter from our consistory and I thought that it was written in such a loving and caring, yet exhorting way that I wanted to share it with you. It is about dressing with modesty.

"Dear Congregation,
   Several years ago a letter was forwarded to the congregation from the Consistory regarding dressing modestly. Reference was made to a speech entitled "Modesty Matters" by Pam Hardy, wife of a Pastor at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley California (where the well-known John McArthur is the senior Pastor). You can still find this speech on-line at http://www.biblebb.com/files/ModestyMatters.htm.  The Consistory recommends this speech.
   This speech is primarily addressed to ladies. It provides some very clear and definite Biblical teaching and principles on the reasons and importance of dressing modestly as well as gives some good practical suggestions and advice as to how Christians should be discerning in their dress.
   Summer time  is a beautiful season but it does bring with it inclinations towards immodest and even provocative dress, perhaps also among us. We may not go along with immodest trends (Rom.12:2,1Tim.2:9-10). Rather let us always dress modestly thereby honouring God and not tempting others to sin (1Cor.10:32-33). This is part of our Christian calling and shows our love and respect for one another (1Cor.13, Rom.15).
    Though the speech was given at a Ladies Conference, the Consistory strongly urges the husband and father of the family to read it as well. As a leader of the household, he has a great responsibility to see to it that the family is honouring God also in the matter of appropriate clothing. In addition, the Consistory would like to remind the men of the Church, that they too should, as examples showing leadership (1Tim.3:4; 1Peter 5:2), consider carefully what they are wearing and their motivations in wearing what they do.
    The goal of every Christian should be to glorify God in all things (1Cor.10:31). If we are "not our own, but belong to our faithful Saviour, Jesus Christ" (Heidelberg Catechism QA 1), then our body is also the temple of the Holy Spirit (1Cor. 6:19-20). Clearly, how we dress also has to do with the glory of God and how we reflect the image of God to others.

    Dear Congregation - Let us seek to be heavenly (godly) minded and not worldly minded, and that it be our Christian desire to not needlessly offend others or tempt others to sin (Matt 18:6-7; 1Cor. 8:13, Rom.15). In speaking to one another about these matters, as a Christian church we are exhorted to do so in Christian love and on the basis of Scripture. Let us esteem the other higher than ourselves reflecting the "mind of Christ" (Phil.2:1-5). In so doing, we become living examples of modesty and love for others (especially our children) in all that we do.

For additional information several books can be found in our library including - "Christian Modesty and the Public Undressing of America" by Jeff Pollard.
Two articles on-line are also recommended:
From Nancy Leigh DeMoss: http://therebelution.com/blog/2007/02/nancy-leigh-demoss-free-to-be-modest/
From John Piper: http://www.therebeution.com/blog/2007/02/john-piper-the-purpose-of-clothing/

May the Lord grant us much wisdom and discretion in these matters.

In Christian love,
Your Consistory"


There is a lot that has been said and that has been written about modesty. This is a matter that is very dear to my heart.  I was raised in a home where modesty mattered and after receiving 4 sons I have spent a lot of time reading about how boys think and visualize. Now modesty means more than ever! It is important to teach daughters not to lower their standards and dress in ways that only impress guys in one way, but it is also important to teach sons to be courageous enough to tell their future girlfriend that what they are wearing is tempting to them, and that they want to treat their girlfriend with much class and dignity. Let your smile, your countenance be what is attractive!