Monday, July 24, 2006

Modesty Heart Check

This is a "re-post" of a modesty check-list that I posted about several months ago. I thought it would be appropriate in light of Parkview's message last weekend and a good tie-in with yesterday's post on finding freedom from pornography.

This "Modesty Heart Check" is available in the Sovereign Grace Online Book Store. You have to register to download it, but it is free once you jump through the hoops. It gives women and girls some very practical tips of how to dress modestly. Thanks to Carolyn Mahaney, Nicole Whitacre, Kristin Chesemore, and Janelle Bradshaw for this great resource. It has been very helpful for my own family as we struggle to reconcile hip fashion with God's desire for women to maintain modesty. Remember, "Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman without discretion." (Proverbs 11:22)

2 comments:

Unknown said...

thanks for posting this again, Scott. one thing, though, that guys may not realize is how a woman's self-image (perhaps esteem) can complicate the issue. i think it's easy for a woman to feel her clothing (even if innapropriate by the 'modesty check' standards)is fine because, well, she doesn't look like those models in the magazines or those girls downtown. she may not necessarily be trying to 'look hot' or catch a guy's eye (though, yeah, that happens a lot). anyway, it's nice to have a list like this to remind a girl it's about her heart, and not her body. it's really difficult to remember this, when most all the signs in the world would disagree.
also, to end my lecture, it would be a nice addition to the modesty check for ladies to have some kind of reminder list for guys on how to let a woman feel appreciated for more than her looks. hearing 'you're beautiful' is wonderful, but...there's so much more a godly woman wants to hear! :)

Scott Sterner said...

Jenna, Thanks for taking the time to comment. As my wife can attest, women are a bit of a mystery to me. I do see how a woman’s self image can make this an even trickier issue.

All this to say, I think women would be surprised at how men find women very attractive even if they don’t appear to match what is secularly promoted as an ideal body type. In other words, women of all types are very beautiful and can be equally provocative by how they dress.

I agree that learning to see the beauty in a woman beyond the physical is extremely important. How else can a man and woman who have been married 50 years express the depth of their love to one another? It certainly isn’t because of their “hot” bodies! :) I would recommend that every man who is in a dating relationship, engagement, or marriage to read “For Men Only” by Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn. In it they will find some amazing revelations on how to love and appreciate a woman in every aspect. It’s a quick read and there is even a “quick start” guide in the front for guys who want to get the big picture in just a few minutes!