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Monday, August 22, 2011

"Perverting Modesty"

I read this blog post today, and it's stirred some feelings in me that I'm not sure I understand quite as yet. What does it mean to be modest? What does the Lord require of us when he asks modesty?

Definitions of modesty:
1.having or showing a moderate or humble estimate of one's merits, importance, etc.; free from vanity, egotism, boastfulness, or great pretensions.
2. free from ostentation or showy extravagance: a modest house.
3. having or showing regard for the decencies of behavior, speech, dress, etc.; decent: a modest neckline on a dress.
4. limited or moderate in amount, extent, etc.: a modest increase in salary.

I can tell you one thing. I am very judgmental when it comes to how others dress; I have a hard time seeing past the outward appearance when I meet people. I also know that there are wonderfully virtuous young women I know whose shoulders are covered but who dress very ostentatiously and in an overly alluring fashion.

How can I better practice modesty myself?

2 comments:

  1. Just a funny thought...kind of not with this post...We had this discussion yesterday in RS. The lady in front of me was pro tank tops and short shorts...it was all she said she could find for her small frame and she also said she liked to run naked! She is foreign with a really strong accent. I think somethings in her comment were lost in translation, but she later said it was shorts and a tank top not her literally running naked. She speaks up like this every Sunday. I love her spunk! The sad part was, she kept saying that she knows everyone thinks she is a sinner, but if they think bad thoughts when they look at her, it is not her fault. She also offered for anyone to enlighten her. I was stumped on how to find the right words! Seriously, what do you say?

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  2. I may create my own post about it. I also had some strong emotion about it. Personally, I felt like it was what good have been a good discussion lost in a bunch of justification.

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