Friday, April 15, 2011

"FAN THE FLAME" FRIDAY - Modesty

Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.

This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)

Just a word and a phrase, a sentence or a question...just a little something to "fan the flame" of your creativity!

Today's word: modesty

What does the word modesty mean to you?

Do you think our society values modesty anymore? Why or why not?


Let me know what you think!!


(Please visit my friend Wendy's blog - Faith's Firm Foundation. She is doing a wonderful series on "Modesty" - you'll be blessed!)


"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:6-7)


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

10 comments:

  1. To me, modesty is too often pigeon-holed in definition to be all about the way someone dresses and acts (usually a female someone, too).

    While I think it includes that, to me, it's a deeper quality of holding oneself back from public spectacle in any area. It's more like restraint or civility. It carries, in my mind anyway, an implication of simplicity.

    Interestingly, my grandfather's first name was Modest. It was actually Modesto to his first generation Italian immigrant parents, but for his whole American life, it was just Modest.

    If there ever were a poster child for modesty, it would have been that man, too. He was soft spoken unless necessary, worked diligently at the common tasks, and even dressed in almost a uniform that I can still see in my mind's eye today. There was nothing "look at me" about the man. He was modest. He didn't have the trimmings because he truly didn't want them.

    He married a modest woman who only wore pants one time in her life. She was the apron clad heart of her home, never flashy or showy. She wore a wedding band on her finger and a pin at the bodice if she was going out. She was sensible.

    They were a modest couple, living on modest means, hard working, simple, quiet, and steadfast.

    By today's standards, they probably would be pitied. Even in the Christian community, we tend to overrate worldly flash. We pride ourselves on being modest because you can't see cleavage or belly or thighs in our over priced designer suits.

    I think we miss the boat.
    Just my two cents.

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  2. Sorry about the blog post there...

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  3. No, our society does not value modesty anymore. Much
    of this is due to the fact that people idolize famous
    actors and musicians and they absolutely do not live
    lives that are modest or godly in any way. It sickens
    me to see young people today with low cut tops and
    dresses and pants hanging down with underclothes being
    reveled. I think being modest says we have self-respect
    as well as a sense of right and wrong.

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  4. Hi Sharon,

    Thank you for asking these two questions (both are excellent).

    "What does the word modesty mean to you?"
    It means the opposite of vain and egotistic to me. It means not seeking attention and praise to enhance my self-esteem. It means that my conduct, thoughts, behavior, and dress are consistent with being a follower of Christ; the focus is on Him, not me.

    "Do you think our society values modesty anymore? Why or why not?"
    I think many in our society still value modesty. I think that most people are put off by "attention-grabbing" individuals who always need the focus on them. Lady Gaga may get the headlines, but very few people really want to be like Lady Gaga.

    Blessings and peace.

    MTJ

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  5. my dgt and I were just talking about this. She's 15 and really into fashion but she dresses beautiful and appropriate. She experiments but it's always with taste

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  6. Well I think it is something too that we have a lot of at first and after experiencing some things in life - lose a little bit! lol

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  7. Another great word, Sharon. We certainly don't have modesty these days and I feel for parents of teenage girls who might want their girls to dress modestly yet there aren't any flattering styles out there that are modest. That's why I think that store (can't remember its name, but it features outfits that are cool but modest) is a wonderful idea. I also feel for teenage boys trying to live a life honoring God to be surrounded by girls dressed skimpily and I know guys senses are definitely more attuned with looking than not looking.

    Having said that, modesty I think is honoring God with your body and trying to dress appropriately and act appropriately with your body to bring him glory and honor. But again another hard word to define!!

    betty

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  8. Hi Sharon -

    Modesty begins in the heart. Our best example of it is JESUS.

    Immodest dress is rampant in our current society.

    One main thing that comes to mind relative to modesty:

    When, in Christ, we know who we are and don't feel societal pressures to prove anything. When we cleave to our Lord, He teaches us how to be holy in all aspects of our lives.

    Many who dress revealingly are insecure and crave attention and love from the wrong places. My prayer is that our Lord will teach them how to display pure beauty - inwardly and outwardly.

    People with respect, act and dress accordingly.

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  9. Hi Sharon,
    I appreciate all the great comments that have been posted here. I thought they were wonderfully thoughtful answers. I am, as you know, doing a Series on Modesty right now, with posts a couple of times weekly, so far, but I have carefully refrained from "defining" the word. The more I read, think, study, and pray, the less sure I am that I'm ready or able to define it. I am impressed with the eloquent answers your readers were able to give. Yet I have talked a lot about immodesty in my lifetime! This series has caused me to ponder, and deepened my awareness of, the complexity of the subject. One thing I am sure, it is not only an issue of dress, however we can not minimize the impact that is made, the headway that Satan is allowed to make, by the choice of immodest attire. Thank you for asking these excellent questions regarding modesty. I do not think we truly have a clue what modesty is, as a culture.
    Wendy
    (Sharon, if it's alright with you, I'll leave this P.S.: My "Series on Modesty" can be followed at www.wendygunn.net -- thanks:)

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  10. I am always amazed by the wonderful responses to these Friday posts - well, not amazed - I know you guys are smarties!! - but always expanded by your thoughtful insights.

    I really would encourage all of you to visit Wendy's blog - she is doing a terrific series on "Modesty" - I've added her link in this post - I know you will be tremendously blessed.

    I'm not sure that I could adequately define the word modesty. I looked it up, and compared it with the words meek and humble. They're all in the same area of thought - interesting.

    I think it's imperative that we ask for God's wisdom to learn what modesty is - and to dress, act, and speak accordingly. We should hold the fact that WE are the Lord's temple more seriously.

    Saved and sanctified people ought to behave in a way that reflects their Lord with purity - both on the outside, and in their hearts.

    That's my two cents!! (And I gave it free of charge :)

    GOD BLESS!

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"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

(NOTE: Anonymous comments will be removed. Thank you for understanding.)