(See previous series posts one, two, three, four, and five.)
In this last post about modesty, let’s also consider our motives for wearing what we do. Are we arrogant in our desires? Are we motivated by pride?
In Carolyn Mahaney’s blog on this topic, she lays out three arrogant desires that can often motivate the way we dress:
1. A desire to be selfish.
I simply don’t want to invest the time and effort required to find modest clothing. I mean, let’s face it—it’s not easy to be modest these days! I have to try on three times as many pairs of jeans as the girl who isn’t concerned about modesty. I might as well go on an archeological dig–it’s that hard to find a stylish, attractive shirt or dress that’s modest. Not to mention that I have to leave hanging on the rack many things that I think would look really great on me! However, when I grumble and complain or make excuses for immodesty, I’m putting my selfish desires above serving others and glorifying Christ. That’s pride.2. A desire to show off.
I want people to think I’m trendy. I want them to include me because of how I dress. I worry they’ll reject me if I don’t dress a certain way. This is a common temptation. But really, it’s just another campaign for my own glory. I want the attention from others that I should be directing to God instead.3. A desire to seduce.
This is the most serious of the three. While many women who choose immodest clothing aren’t literally trying to seduce a guy, in it’s infancy, there can be a desire for that lustful attention. We want to feel attractive and desirable. However, this is sinful, and a particularly virulent form of pride. It’s says: I’m worthy of the kind of attention that’s forbidden in God’s Word. It tempts men to sin against God’s holiness.If these three proud desires—to be selfish, show off and seduce—are lurking in our hearts, we must first admit to the ugly truth. Then we must repent and receive the forgiveness that comes only through Christ. And we must purpose to put on humility—first in our hearts, and then in our dress. For if immodesty is an expression of pride, then modesty is humility expressed in dress.
I don’t think these desires are what we think every time we dress, but I do think that they can lay hidden in the back of our minds sometimes. We must look at our own thoughts and test them against the holiness of God. Where is our heart?
“[Do not dress] from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is your in Christ Jesus…” – Philippians 2:3-5
Veritas 