"As human viceroys and stewards, we have domains to rule. As women we have special responsibility for inner personal spaces..." Barbara Mouser, Five Aspects of Woman
Let's delve deeper into God's plan for us as women and the personal feminine domains we rule. Much of what I am going to say has come from an exceptional bible study entitled The Five Aspects of Woman by Barbara Mouser (I mention it quite a bit because it was foundational for me as a woman).
What is the ultimate purpose of being modest?
We are not modest to just be modest, to wear the "right" clothes, or to be a "good girl." We are to be modest for a much greater purpose. It is all a matter of the heart. If our hearts long to align with the heart of God, then the overflow of that love, devotion, and obedience will transfer into our dress. When that happens, we are gaining victory in a battle - a battle where we as Christian men and women are fighting to be a light and witness to a dying world. Do you see how modesty has everything to do with something greater then ourselves? Do you see how it has everything to do with life and death? It is greater than cute fashions, or the judgments we pass along to others?
We are fighting an enemy that is clever, and is above all a liar and death dealer. Our enemy is not with men and their struggle - they are in the battle full force as well. Our enemy is Satan. As we continue our study of modesty, please keep the battle in mind. We are fighting for our lives, the lives of the men around us, and the world.
Lifegivers - that is what we as women are created to be. We give life in all sorts of ways, one of the ways being how we use our feminine nature. God's plan and destiny has determined our biology. He gave us feminine spirits that He placed in feminine bodies. Our bodies are designed for lifegiving (see one of my previous posts, Are All Women Lifegivers?).
One of our domains to rule is our personal inner spaces - the places that are for God and our husbands only. They are inside, private, protected and guarded. When we open these spaces outside of marriage, it can be devastating to manhood. One of those private places is a woman's bosom. The bosom is known for its comfort and nourishment, but also for its exceptional beauty and intoxicating power. The intoxicating power is not the problem, God gave it to please and exhilarate our husbands. We are not to use this private place to intoxicate other men...other women's husbands.
It empowers me to think of how God created me and the special way in which He took great care to make my body for my husband. I feel a certain exhilaration myself just thinking about it. I am not to entice another man. I don't want my husband to be enticed by another woman, or have to struggle past lustful thoughts because of how she is dressed. More so, women are a sisterhood. We should stand side by side together, honoring one another and protecting our men. It is almost a sacred bond. Because of our sin nature everything gets messed up, but I'm willing to fight the battle...
Let's fight together.
14 comments:
That was very well said. Sometimes I wish I wasn't so endowed. Unless I wear a tarp they are as they are even when they are covered up. I'm not saying I'm any Pamela Anderson lol. But unless a shirt hangs off of me it naturally hugs the breast area. I'm open to shirt suggestions. It would have to be something for hot weather and light. Now I'm not saying I'm wearing any low cut booby showing shirts because I try to fully be aware of what other men are seeing but I wonder if even with that effort and covering them up if the fact that they are still noticeable is my fault? I would love to hear your thoughts on that. Please don't tell me to wear a sweater lol. It's hot here LOL.
Hugs my friend.
I completely agree with you! Its not all about looking trendy or protecting men...its about our inner battle with the flesh and the spirit! Its hard to get rid of those lies Satan continually plants in our heads. We must take a stand against him and desire what God desires and hate what God hates. Its a daily struggle and thankfully we have the Scripture, prayer, and each other. I love what you said about sisterhood and standing together. AMEN!!! We should be loving each other in our dress so that we bring unity to the body. Not only can our dress cause men to stumble, but it can cause anger and dissention between believing women.
Looking forward to your next post!
Thanks again! Where oh where did you learn to write like that!
Enough flattery! This is beautifully and truly stated. I am praying that many women will find this site and begin to understand their power and beauty.
Robin
You wrote this in such a beautiful way. As women, we should be a sisterhood. What a lovely concept. I am really enjoying this series. :)
Amen, sister! I'm loving what you have to say here. You're so right: it is a sisterhood, and we must remember we are not to be fighting each other, but supporting each other. Thanks for another great post! ♥
I think this is one of the most difficult ideas to convey to other women.
Hebrews 12:1-3 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Romans 14:13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.
This is amazing stuff. Thank you for sharing this. More women need to hear this.
As much as I truly agree with your comments and often choose my clothes appropriately I can't help but wonder what are we to do if our husbands are the one's desiring us to wear clothes that accentuate our beautiful body parts... " as if to show us off"... ??? Then does this apply. My husband does not desire other women and he does not desire for other men to want me but he enjoys seeing me dress in clothes that fit snug.?? Should we not please our husbands to save others?? I believe our husbands should come first. I wouldn't ever deliberately tempt another man. But should another man see me in clothes that are snug than shouldn't it be his decision to turn away??.... Confused a bit on the modesty all the time ??????
I wish all Christian women could see how they dress like you've spelled out here. I've heard, "Well, the men are the ones with the problem, I'm not going to change the way I dress just because they can't keep their eyes off of me!" Or some such mess. And while, yes, men should show restraint, we as women have responsibilities to help them keep their minds pure. Thank you again, Sarah, for this series!
You have said it so well, Sarah Mae! And I totally agree.
I am happy that my hubby is even helpful in this area - he will let me know if he thinks any of my clothing crosses the line (cleavage showing or pants too tight, skirt slit too high, etc.).
I came by and read this earlier but needed a bit of time to digest. I think you have stated so eloquently what the greater purpose is, and I couldn't agree more. I try to dress modestly most of the time, especially since I have a little girl who I'm setting the example for. But I also was wondering about what Homesteader in Training said. In he summer we camp ALOT. My usual attire is a tank top (if it's really hot) or t shirt and either long shorts or jeans. My husband would love it if I wore shorts, but I'm not comfortable in shorter shorts because I feel that it could be 'stumbling' for someone else. At what point does comfort (in regards to temperatures) superceed making sure no one elses husband is looking? I obviously have a responsibility to maintain cover, but then I was also reading what Rafter's-n-Henderson said and I'm curious about this, too. A friend and I were talking about this very thing - what if my husband desires to see me wearing something more tight fitting or low cut on a date night or while out and about? I completely agree that as women we have a responsibility to be careful, ESPECIALLY in church, but I'm curious about whether you think our men have a responsibility as well.
Such thought provoking writing today, from everyone. :)
This was very well explained. I am really enjoying this series! I have girlfriends who don't understand that I purposely spend less time with them because I know that being in their presence is difficult for my husband. It's an "I paid for 'em, I'm gonna show 'em off" attitude. It's really tough to convince certain people that their choice to NOT be modest affects so many others around them. It can be a real issue of disrespect sometimes.
What a great point. I had not thought of it that way. The sanctity of marriage is under attack from many different sides. This is one way that is relatively easy that we can protect our marriages. Thanks for sharing! I am enjoying this series!
Many good thoughts have come from your wonderful post! You are so wise to be led by the Holy Spirit and let God lead your posts. Of course we live in an imperfect world with many trying to find the "right way" in their own lives with their own wisdom.
God says to ask Him for wisdom. He will give it. He will give it abundantly. So while we all have questions and want answers to help us in our own walk. God is saying "Here I am, ask me, ask me". In seeking His wisdom He will require us to listen, to seek, to knock, to ask, to ask again, to wait, to meditate, to quiet ourselves, to focus on Him.
How many times I will just ask a friend instead of God or ask God then not even wait for His answer. Oh he eventually answers me but I have to wait extra long because I was too busy putting God on hold and talking to someone else :-9
I was intrigued by the question "shouldn't I please my husband". Of course. But above all we should please God. Seek God daily, hourly, minute by minute and ask Him how you can please HIM and your husband. He alone will have that answer for you and your life.
All because of Jesus~ Cinnamon
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