The Modesty Train has left the station, since we know summertime in the USA is here. I get so sick and tired of all the speeches on what to wear so you don’t cause men to stumble. Most of the time you see mature women dressing appropriately in church, or elsewhere. You also have most men that can handle the visual deal just fine. Is this the only thing they have to say about modesty?
Sadly, other portions of the modesty definition are completely ignored. I have a video clip of a pastor showing immodest behavior, and he feels he is justified and entitled to use it.
Pastor Jim Standridge is acting like a teenager – or toddler throwing a hissy fit. Telling people from his pulpit JUST what he thinks about things in order to humiliate them…and then calls it love. His conceit is showing, and he tells the world he doesn’t care. Nice. No doubt the man thinks he is the clothing police as well.
Modesty is more than a dress code
Modesty also includes attitude. When you are reading or being taught something, and you know the teacher is using shaming language? That isn’t modest. Its very immodest in fact.When you have a preacher up in the pulpit reminding everyone how important they are, and how they are to be revered? They are being boastful, and that is also immodest.
Your delivery towards others shows the attitude, and if you have a stinky attitude? You can be wearing the most modesty attire on earth…and you are still being immodest.
Philippians 2:3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,[a] 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,[b] being born in the likeness of men.
I remember as a little girl, and going to visit my grandmother. She would push and push for me to put dresses on. She felt it was the thing to do if you are to be a proper young lady. I remember putting on dresses to go to church, and my brother and I were honored guests that week.
What always bothered me was their speech.
Consider if your language shows respect for those around you.
They saw nothing right with the world, and matter of fact they loved to nit pick almost every aspect of what people did – right or wrong. It wasn’t just the ladies that did this either. You heard it from the pulpit as well.
They made some good points at times, and other times to me they were just being mean and vicious. They did things better than the world, and their proper attire, proper way of worship, bible study, etc. I never quite understood HOW they felt they were coming across with humility and humbleness.
They would dress in the most modest ways, but I’m sorry they were NOT modest! Lets be honest here – it was conceit!
The proper girl’s dress, or the proper men’s suit and tie wasn’t a show of proper Christlike behavior when you go around with the attitude of ‘Thank GOD we are NOT like THOSE people!’.
When you point this out? Most of the time you are received with diversion tactics. How we are to not to be like the ‘world’, and how we are to be obedient, and maybe my biggest problem is I would rather go with my sinful nature than to follow God’s ways!
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2).
Key point here is renewing of your mind. Rules, and ugly attitudes don’t do that. Being defensive doesn’t do that. Informing others they are being ‘worldly’ when they don’t agree with something doesn’t do that either. Matter of fact – its immodest.
Galatians 5:13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b]15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
- Galatians 5:13 In contexts like this, the Greek word forflesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit; also in verses 16, 17, 19 and 24; and in 6:8.
Modesty is about acknowledgement, humility and grace…
In other words, the attitude a Christian should reflect is one that focuses on the needs and interests of others. Without question, that does not come naturally to us.
You don’t justify your immodest behavior, and then wonder WHY you can’t keep your attendance numbers high…and the youth don’t go to church once they are old enough to say NO!
Studies have shown they might get new people from other churches, or the children of church members. Majority of their numbers come from those sources. That’s not growth, and it should be a red flag! Their pride refuses to acknowledge their immodest behavior!
Jesus – his way is attractive, welcoming, and loving. That doesn’t mean you don’t get rebuked, but it is done with the proper attitude. Sadly, churches today to often do NOT reflect this. They would rather listen to the ‘amen’ crowd then take the speck out of their own eye. This also does not reflect a modest stature.
While they give others speeches on how men are visual, and how women cause their brothers to stumble…people are asking them about their attitude and delivery. People get the response that its more YOUR problem than their CONTENT or DELIVERY! This also is immodest.
They know something is wrong, and when you try to point it out? They won’t receive criticism, rebuke, or even consider that other’s may have point. They are told ‘they just want to do life by the world’s standard!” Funny how they never see that response as reflective of them. This is being defensive…also immodest.
They do not make themselves approachable, and they can be kind if you stay clear of certain subjects or points of views.
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[c] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality,impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Modesty in behavior exists when people act appropriately in specific settings. It includes being polite and respectful to others. Christians are seen as intolerant, because their behavior or words show that they are not tolerant, polite, nor respectful. Yes, you can present your opinion without coming across as nasty. When you can’t do that? Its immodest.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited,provoking and envying each other.
Pastor throwing a hissy fit, and shows immodest behavior
Here is a pastor that thinks to much of himself, and his message. He does NOT follow the proper way of approaching something he feels is sinning (Matt. 18), and decides to humiliate him in front of a crowd. Once the pastor’s juices get flowing he also moves on to others in the crowd, and points out what he sees as their errors.
He states he did everything right. Jesus wouldn’t do it this way. When he is called on his misbehavior (news interview) he justifies himself, and says it is love. What he can’t grasp is his behavior, attitude is immodest… his dress doesn’t mean a damn thing if the rest of definition isn’t present.
The loving thing to do is call these pastor’s out on their immodest behavior. Chances are they won’t receive it, because they are the only ones that are suppose to do that. How due to their position they are above all that, and you should ‘submit’ to them.
HELLO! Modesty is more than a dress code!
