Modesty

Modesty: we are to wear it. But what does that mean?

Some think it’s sex-specific: women are to be modest. And believe that to mean that we obscure our sexuality out of either a sense of propriety or of shame.

Modesty is so much more than that. It applies to everyone; we all are to wear it. And while propriety and possibly the avoidance of shame are some of the outcomes, they are not the meat of the matter.

Modesty is both an attitude of mind and a manner of conduct. The former should direct the latter.

Our attitude should neither elevate our character, qualities, or skills, higher than they actually are, nor denigrate our positive attributes; false humility is not modesty, but a form of arrogance. We must not be self-important, yet we should recognize our place within our various communities, accepting with grace and gratitude the love and favour we receive from those with whom we interact, and recognize as gifts the benefits we receive.

In other words, modesty is holding a proper view of oneself, of having appropriate respect for others, of not being puffed up, and of good manners. The modest individual is beautiful of character.

In conduct, modesty does not draw unnecessary or inappropriate attention to its wearer. Disorderliness, extremes of flamboyance or demonstrativeness, bad manners, unnecessary loudness, or lewdness, excessive exposure or emphasizing of one’s physical attributes, are all contrary to modesty. Such brazen behaviour is unbecoming, making the performer of it appear to the viewer, to be ill-mannered, unrestrained, and disrespectful of those around them. Modesty and brazenness are irreconcilable opposites; they cannot inhabit the same host.

The saint of Christ is called to humility. We are to conduct and present ourselves in an orderly manner that points the eyes of those we encounter to the grace and beauty of Christ. They should see in us the transformation worked by the Holy Spirit, to reflect the character of the Lord Jesus, and no effort on our part to draw their attention to ourself. “He must increase and I must decrease.” This will not happen if our conduct or appearance is so outstanding as to focus the attention of others on our own selves.

Let us adorn ourselves with modesty, that those who see us will see the beauty and love of Christ.

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