Modesty Series: Am I Always Presentable?

I am a young lady, as are the majority of my readers. We, young ladies are blooming into women hood and have to look like it. By this I mean that we have to be presentable. Being presentable requires being well-kept and well spoken (in speech and not gossiping) Today, we will focus on being well-kept. 

When you go outside, is your hair a mess, are your nails un-trimmed and do your clothes look like you squashed it into a ball before you got dressed? These are all signs of being un-presentable. Now, don't get me wrong, I am not encouraging anyone to become vain, spending hours at a time ironing and grooming, but it's important that we look like children of God. Our father is the owner of all things and as His children, we lack nothing. The Bible says,

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds 

and praise your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:16

I believe that this verse applies to spiritual things but also to the day to day aspects of our lives. If you haven't washed your face this morning, can I see the light of Jesus? Maybe, but first, I will most likely notice last nights traces.

So how can you look presentable when you go out side? Here is a little check list to remember:

1. Wash your face
2. Brush your teeth 
3. Do your hair 
4. Put on a fresh set of clean clothes

You're  probably thinking, I know that already, but are we always doing them? Those things on the list are the BIG and obvious things, but proper grooming goes beyond that.

Bad habits:

I know many people that bite their nails (I was once part of that group). Some pick their hair for split ends, while others are constantly touching their faces and putting their finger in their mouths.  Can you think of any gross habits you have cultivated over the years? Well, now is the time to break those habits. 

Bad habits are easy to form and difficult to break but with Jesus' help, all things are possible.

Good habits:

Make it a goal if you must, but make sure that you are always looking your best. Be sure that your lips aren't chapped by moisturizing them with lip balm and make sure that your hair is combed. Remember to apply lotion to your hands and wash your face daily. These things can all become habits, good habits.

Why is it important to be presentable? 

First impressions are lasting impressions. When others see you, like I said previously, they are supposed to see Jesus first. If they don't, how can they tell the difference between you and those who aren't children of God.

Wrinkled clothes isn't presentable in the same way that a wrinkled life isn't presentable before God. God is so merciful that He provided a way to smooth out the wrinkles in our spiritual lives.

Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, 

without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

Ephesians 5:25b-27

He gave us His love and through that love, we have grace.

Modesty Series: Questions and Answers About Attire

As young ladies set apart for God, modesty is very important to us. Sometimes, deciding whether an outfit or hair do is modest can be challenging. Here are my answers to the two most commonly asked questions.

Judgement-free Zone: 
As I write these answers to common modesty questions, I pray that I don't offend anyone. I want to make it unmistakably clear that I am not judging. I am only basing my answers on scripture, personal convictions and experiences. If you agree or disagree with anything I write, feel free to email me or comment below. I'd really love to hear what you all think about modesty.

How short is too short? How tight is too tight?

Think of the children’s rhyme: Head, shoulders, knees and toes.

So now, stand in front of a mirror and…

Put you hands on your HEAD. Does your waist show (front or back)?

Put your hands on your SHOULDERS. Check that your shoulders are covered, and your neckline is not too low.

Look at your KNEES
They should be covered.

Okay, now put your hands on your KNEES Can you see down the front of your top to your undergarments, chest, or even *gasp* your belly button? Yikes!

Bend over and touch your TOES. Does your back show?

Pretty good, eh? Check out more great tests to see if your outfit is modest here

I've heard that as young ladies, we must be modest with our hair. How can that be?
In the Bible we read of modesty. We read of how we are to dress and do our hair.

I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes,

1 Timothy 2:9

As you read that verse, you may have stopped and thought, "What!?! No braids?!?" Back in Paul's day, braids were the hair-do of a harlot. Now, times have changed and braids are very common among girls. When you do your hair, do the style because you like it and not because you saw the newest teen pop sensation does that do. Also, don't put your hair in elaborate styles to grab others attention. That's called vanity, girls!

God carefully made you. He decided on your hair color, your eye color and everything else that makes you unique. Ask God to tell you whether something is appropriate or not, He will clearly tell you:)

Modesty Series: Modesty And Speech

We often think of modesty as a dress code. We make sure our skirts are an appropriate length and that our shirts aren't too tight or low cut. But did you ever stop to think that modesty goes beyond our dress? As young ladies, we are never at a loss for words. At times, we may even be considered as chatterboxes. For this very reason, our mouths are in need of modesty's medicine. It is imperative to reflect modesty in more ways than just in our clothing choices.

With the blessing of many words, comes great responsibility. You and I have to be mindful of the words that come out of our mouths because:

But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless 

word they have spoken.

Matthew 12:36

Imagine every time you spoke because you wanted to "add" you opinion or because you simply felt like it. Can you count how many times you let a comment or two "slip" out of your mouth when it wasn't your place to share? We can categorize those words as careless. God speaks to us about careless words for many reasons. One reason is that our words can start a fire. No, not a real fire, but conversations can definitely get heated and friendships seared when you've played "spiller"

The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

James 3:6

It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

James 3:8

Another reason that God warns us against careless word is:

The tongue has the power of life and death,

Proverbs 18:21a

When we engage in conversations, we need to be mindful of the impression it will have on people who hear them.'

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know 

how to answer everyone.

Colossians 4:6

Modesty in speech also refers to not gossiping, the way we express ourselves when we try to get our point across, and complimenting others/ receiving compliments. We should measure our words and think ahead on the effect they will have on those who hear them. Tame your tounge.

Have you enjoyed this little lesson? Stay tuned for a mini modesty series, where I hope to share my thoughts and biblical concepts on all things modest.