OBSTACLES TO SPIRITUAL GROWTH
What Is Modesty?
We face obstacles to spiritual growth daily. As we confront those obstacles, we choose to respond broadly from three alternatives, as represented by the two trees:
- evil from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
- good from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil
- life from the Tree of Life.
As Christian women, we obviously don’t want to select evil! But sometimes we are willing to select what is seemingly good instead of what gives life.
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As the Spirit renews our own minds about these three choices and we obey by choosing life instead of good or evil, we will begin to release obstacles to spiritual growth and be released to love and liberty.
As we grow, we can also guide our children to think about their choices as we converse with them throughout the day.
Of course, we need to rely on the Holy Spirit to put those three choices into words our particular children can understand, words that will minister to them.
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EVALUATIVE QUESTION
WHEN MAKING CHOICES
Will my choice bring His life to my own soul and to those around me as well as glorify God? ~or~ Will my choice call attention to my "self" and/or me or glorify my group?
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EXAMPLE: GOD-CENTERED MODESTY
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God-centered modesty does not call attention to self or to groups. Applying this modesty principle to your own life will help you to guide your children toward walking in liberty with Christ in the area of modesty.
As you set the example of God-centered modesty and are engaged in relationship with your children through your everyday circumstances, you can weave questions into your daily discussions like:
- Does this style follow the crowd or follow the Lord?
- Does this style call attention to you or the group that advocates it?
- Does this style enhance the natural beauty the Lord has given you and not call attention either to the group that advocates it or to your “self”?
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Personal Example In 1998, my eight-year-old daughter and I were picking up a friend from the airport when my daughter pointed out to me a 16-year-old girl (or thereabouts). She had a turtle neck on and was completely covered but had big painted-on handprints on the back of her pants pockets.
My daughter commented, "That girl is not modest because she is calling attention to that part of her body."
I knew then that my daughter understood God-centered modesty.
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Use these types of questions when watching videos (even historical videos reveal much about a culture’s times through their dress) or reading together as well as when debriefing from secular and church functions.
Learn how to judge rather than be judgmental.
What about you?
Perhaps you have been able to identify various groups by their dress or perhaps you have chosen to identify with a group through your dress.
Even though outfits completely cover a body, the outfits also call attention to a group or “self” rather than enhancing natural beauty.
Is this God-centered modesty?
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