Modesty: More Than a Change of Clothes - Stylish & Comfortable Women's Fashion for Everyday Wear, Work & Special Occasions

As a youth pastor, I have found myself navigating the thought-provoking road of modesty. The issue seems to be everywhere I turn, from planning summer swimming events, to mission trips, to social media posts and of course to comments from church members about what the youth are wearing. So when I was mentioned in a tweet referencing the book Modesty: More Than a Change of Clothes I ordered it. I was challenged and encouraged by Martha Peace and Kent Keller. They present a helpful, biblical, balanced approach to the issue of modesty using biblical terms and providing lists of diagnostic questions to help determine the heart motivations that produce the outward actions. I highly recommend this book to help you think through the complex issue of modesty.Peace and Keller begin the discussion by identifying the source of modesty rather than trying to treat the lack of modesty. They state, “Modesty is more than just a change of clothes. It is an attitude of the heart” (14). They go on to give this definition of modesty, “Modesty is an inner attitude of the heart motivated by a love for God that seeks his glory through purity and humility; it often reveals itself in words, actions, expressions, and clothes” (17). When we talk about modesty we need to speak as cardiologist rather than fashion police. Fashion that pleases the Lord will follow a heart that seeks to honor the Lord.There are heart diagnostic questions scattered throughout the book. The lists on pages 19, 87, 88, and 107 are some of the best I have seen in excavating the intentions of the heart. Our intentions must first be exposed in order that the cure of the Gospel can be applied. Here is a sample, “Do you spend so much time getting your appearance ready for the day that you run out of time to get your heart ready?” (88). Diagnostic questions such as this force us to face the reality of our heart condition rather than living in denial or ignorance.The authors are not bashful about using biblical terms as they talk about modesty. There is a summary list of scriptures and principles on page 130. Throughout the book I could not help but be jarred by the direct statements that Keller makes. Pastor Kent, as he is called throughout the book, is not worried about who wore what, and how they might get offended or think that he is singling them out; the issue is to important for that kind of stuff. Here is an example of what I mean, “We urge you, if you are convicted of the sin of immodesty, to do whatever it takes to repent for your good, for the purity of the church, and, ultimately for the glory of God!” (115). He just says what the Bible says, lets the Holy Spirit make the application to the heart, and encourages the reader to obey.I have felt a strain with the youth in trying to figure out how to set parameters without it being seen as legalism. I do not want to foster the thought process that you can act a certain way at church but the same standards don’t apply in every area of life. This is particularly difficult in the area of modesty. Peace and Keller are helpful with the issue of consistency (127-129) and legalism throughout the book. They devote chapter nine to dealing with legalism. Legalism is a heart issue just like modesty. Keller state, “When the heart desires lustful attention, no amount of external rules will affect the heart. When the heart desires God, the heart will be modest and external rules will not be needed”(110). The answer to the heart issues is the gospel! We need Jesus to change the affections of the heart. Pastor Kent gives five ways be active in allowing Jesus to change your affections and pursue modesty.• Pursue modesty by repenting of immodesty (135).• Pursue modesty through a growing relationship with God (135).• Pursue modesty by avoiding the influence of the world (136).• Pursue modesty by developing wise friendships (137).• Pursue modesty through a courageous delight in God (140).