Girl Talk - Modesty

Ladies,

Have you talked to your daughters and grand-daughters about modesty?  It’s not something that just comes up in conversation, but it is an important topic.

Photo by Toby Hamsher, 2012

Five years ago, I participated in a Mother-Daughter retreat called Secret Keeper Girls by Dannah Gresh that was fantastic. That retreat’s message on modesty has stayed with my daughter (now 13). She still talks about it.  Recently, our youth group did a Girls Only study and we discussed Modesty. It was very open and laid back. Here’s what we discussed:

Take the Modesty Test

Back Check – lean over. Does your back crack or underwear show?

Top Test -- lean over. Can you see down your top?

Belly Test – raise both hands. Does your belly show? If so, consider putting on a long cammy.

Leg Test – Arms down at side. Is your skirt (or shorts) shorter than the ends of your fingertips?

Skirt Check – Sit in front of a full length mirror, cross-legged or with legs apart. Can you see up your skirt?

If the answer to any of the questions is yes, consider changing clothes or adding a cammy or tights to your outfit.

Why be modest?

*Honors God and yourself.

Scripture: “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV

*Helps boys/men not fall to sin.  When a male sees an inappropriately dressed female, the image stays with them. Girls can help the boys by not dressing inappropriately.

Scripture: “…that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter…” from 1 Thessalonians 4 ESV

*It is a way to show you are living out the Christian life.
Scripture: “Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.” 1 Timothy 2:9-10 ESV

*It is a way of saving their bodies only for the eyes of their future husbands.

One of our youth leaders is a modest young woman and she told the girls that is why she dresses modestly. She is saving herself. There is an excellent book that discusses this for girls ages 7-12 (The Princess and the Kiss: A Story of God’s Gift of Purity) http://www.amazon.com/Princess-Kiss-Story-Gods-Purity/dp/B0085RZDVG/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

*Helps girls against the sins of pride and vanity. Scripture: Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Proverbs 31:30 ESV

 

What about piercings and tattoos?

Our group discussed this, but we did not quote Scripture. We just wanted to open discussion and get the girls to think before doing. Here’s what we discussed:

*Some jobs don’t allow these, so you might be limiting your employment opportunities if you get one.

*What does God think about tattoos? (see Leviticus 19:28) What do other people think about you if you get one that is visible?  

*Tattoos are permanent. How will feel about it at age 30, 50, 70?

Dawn