With prom season upon us, I have enjoyed the many Facebook posts with pictures from prom, especially those where the young woman took the time to find a beautiful yet modest gown. I remember the fun of dressing to the nines, being picked up by a date in a tuxedo and having an evening of dining and dancing. I also remember the hours of shopping with my mom trying to find a dress that was chic, fit my personality, and my desire for modesty. I had been taught from a young age the importance of dressing modestly. I applaud those young women who have taken the time and made the effort to look beautiful and modest for prom and for every day.
Modesty is a value that is little appreciated in the modern world. Often viewed as archaic and not realistic in today's society, it is often pushed aside as something not necessary to teach your children. In reality, it is more needed that ever.
By turning to the Bible, you can teach your children that modesty is a timeless value instituted by God as a protection for his children on earth. In Genesis 3:21 it reads, "Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them." What is interesting to note is that there were no other people around - no children, no neighbors. So why clothe them? It was for a protection for them, and to help them learn to respect and value their bodies.
Respect
When teaching your children about modesty, you need to teach them that modesty shows respect for their bodies. In 1 Corinthians 6:19 Paul records, "know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" When you view your body as a temple of God, you see it in a different light. You would want to show respect for it in the same way you do God's house.
Value
In Proverbs 31, Solomon poses the question, "Who can find a virtuous woman?" Then he states, "for her price is far above rubies." (Proverbs 31:10) As he goes on to describe the attributes of a virtuous woman. Among these is "she maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple." (Proverbs 31:22) Silk and purple were emblems of royalty. Hence, a virtuous woman is one who clothed herself with a knowledge of who she is - a daughter of God. Therefore of royal birth. By teaching your children to recognize their value as children of God, they will learn to show that value through the way they clothe their bodies.
Humility
In Isaiah chapter 3, he describes the "daughters of Zion" as being "haughty" or prideful. He lists all their apparel and jewelry in which they take such pride. (Isaiah 3:16-23) These were the trends, fads and fashions of that day. These daughters of Zion had become so caught up in their appearance that they forgot who they were. Take the time to teach your children that while it is important to dress well, it is also important to not let fashion overshadow their true identity as children of God and faithful followers of Christ. Your appearance reflects your attitude. When you are dressed sloppily, you appear sloppy as a person. When you dress neat and comely that reflects who you are inside. You are what you wear.
Using these teachings from the Bible, you can help your children learn the importance of modesty. Proverbs 22:6 states, "train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
