'ATTENTION VS. RESPECT'

✝️👙👀 MODESTY (Wikipedia) - sometimes known as demureness, is a mode of DRESS and deportment which intends to AVOID the encouraging of SEXUAL attraction in others...‼️ 💗 🚶🏻‍♀️ This particular post, I am mainly, but, not exclusively, writing to female readers.  LADIES (especially, Believers), please, prayerfully, ponder and consider, the message, in which, I write, in this post‼️👸🏽💖 MODESTY, sadly (in my humble opinion), "seems" to be a lost behavior, anymore, in "'merica," "across-the-board," especially, with females‼️👙👀 One cannot watch something on t.v., without seeing, scarcely dressed, sometimes, almost nude, people (mostly gals)‼️ I, for one, do not like it‼️  To me, it is one component, of many, which, is a clear, indicator and "reflection" of, the "ill," spiritually and morally, condition, of this country, which, has been in an, "out of control," "downward spin," according to statistics,  SINCE, "1963," whenever, shamefully - recognized, organized, public, legally permitted, PRAYER, was outlawed, by our 'USA Supreme Court,' from our nation's public schools‼️  Other components of this PITIFUL "reflection" of our society, statistically, include:  a gigantic increase in - unwed teen pregnancies, much higher numbers in - drug related - crime, overdoses, casualties, etc., with, a large increase of incarcerations, which, has resulted in - overcrowded prisons, ETC., ETC.‼️ All of this, in which, I've mentioned, is just "the tip of the iceberg, and, reveals a "sinful heart," at the "ROOT," problem, with, these statistics representing it's FRUIT‼️  Anyway, I did not intend on "chasing that rabbit," so, although, there's A LOT more, in which, I could write, concerning our "spiritually crumbling" society, I choose NOT to do so‼️...And, "you are quite welcome‼️" 😘☺️😂🤦🏻‍♀️ It is not my intention to be "preachy," with this post, but rather, to write about this matter, which is, periodically, on my mind, due to, oftentimes, seeing people (especially - Believers), publicly, dressed (barely), inappropriately‼️ SO, back to the subject of 'MODESTY,' I go‼️😘💞 Growing up, I don't think that, I had heard the word (or took notice of it), 'modest,' until I was in high school. 😏 I don't remember being too concerned about my wardrobe being modest, but, I DO recall that, it always HAD to be "in style‼️" 😉☺️💃🏼 As I examine the way, in which, I dressed, in my past, it was not always modestly, but, I never felt a desire to EXHIBIT my "personal, female areas," inappropriately, as is the "norm" in today's culture!  However, as I became motivated, whenever, my junior high days arrived, to get "in shape," and, lose weight, etc., I, also, began desiring that, my "out in public" clothes, be snuggly fitted (not, loose and baggy, unless, I was just hanging out).  I worked hard at, looking and feeling, good, was proud of it, and, wanted to show off my buff, feminine figure, as did most of the females around me, it seemed.  I don't recall having a desire to show off, my "personal," female areas!" 😗 And, I am sorry, but, I don't understand, female Believers, whenever, they are out in public, dressing immodestly, and even, provocatively, sensually, or, sexually, and, seemingly, trying to get attention, especially, from the opposite sex!  I do expect this kind of conduct from unsaved females, who are not 'born-again' (worldly, carnal, unregenerated, sinners), but, Christian ladies, SHOULD, dress in a way, as to, honor, The Lord, and not, bring shame to HIS holy name! ✝️ HE sees the deepest motives within our hearts, and therefore, HE knows, if, we are wearing clothes to - please HIM, or, "turn heads" (males), desiring that, they LUST after us!  Here are some Scriptures, on this subject, about which, if, you'd like, you might want to, look up, pray, meditate, and, possibly, apply to your life (you might already, and, if so, good for you! 😘):  1 Corinthians 6:19+20, 1 Timothy 2:8-10, Proverbs 11:22, 31:1-31, 1 Peter 3:1-6, Titus 2:11+12, Genesis 3:7,21, Exodus 28:42, Romans 12:1+2, Matthew 5:27+28, 1 Samuel 16+17, 1 John 2:16, Deuteronomy 22:5, Ephesians ch.5 📖🕊🙏🏼✝️  🚶🏻‍♀️Back to the reflection matter...our society, as a whole, obsesses upon "outward" appearances, sending subliminal messages (via - t.v, magazines, etc.), that, tantalize and tempt, people to be immoral, by appealing to, "the lust of the, flesh and eyes, and, the pride of life!" 👙👀 For example:  Whenever, a lady attends church services, if, what she wears, reveals a lot of skin (specifically, wearing, really low necklines, highlighting the bust, or, very short, skirts and dresses, and/or, see through - fabrics), really tight slacks, and the such, then, she could be a distraction, and, could possibly hinder what God would like to do, by, drawing attention to herself, or by, causing, the lust of the, eyes and flesh, to be triggered, in others, who are around her?! 👙 No doubt, we Believers, should absolutely, LIVE, as HIS representatives, here on earth, which, includes all areas of our existence, with our attire being one of the most obvious areas! 👗👔 Years ago, whenever, my husband was pastoring, one of the three churches (sometimes, issues with female attire had to be addressed), in which, he has pastored, there was a young lady, whom, often dressed provocatively (she was not the only one).  However, she wore, EXTREMELY short, skirts and dresses, and, very lowly cut necklines. She usually sat on the first pew!  She often crossed her legs, which, revealed more of the posterior of her body than I preferred, since, my hubby was the main person viewing her‼️  Yes, the devil USED her to upset me, which, in turn, probably, somehow, negatively affected, our church⁉️ This is just one example, of how CHOICES concerning dressing, modestly or immodestly, has the potential to greatly affect the people, with whom, we are in contact! 👪👨‍👩‍👧  I feel as though, I've "rambled," up to this point, in this post!  It is not an easy topic, about which, to write! 😜 How to dress oneself, is a personal decision.  There is no doubt in my mind that, the way, in which, Believers, clothe ourselves, or not, either, honors or dishonors, our Lord Jesus, and, I suppose that, this post serves as a reminder of this! I surely desire to please my Lord (and, oftentimes, fall short), in all ways, including the way, in which, I dress!  I certainly don't want people questioning my motives, whenever they see me, and,  think such things as, "I wonder why she doesn't dress the way, in which, I think that, a Christian should dress⁉️" 😔 I'd rather be thought of, as being dressed, classy, too warmly, and the such, than, being thought of as, dressing sleazily, or, not covering myself enough, possibly, causing some folks to wonder, etc., about me, and, most of all, dishonoring my Jesus, in the process‼️  I remember a few times, as I reflect back upon my life, in regard to the matter of modesty, whenever, I found myself, away from home, feeling immodestly dressed, and, unable to change my clothes, and, feeling quite, uncomfortable and embarrassed!  I did not like feeling that way, therefore, I, seriously TRY to dress modestly, so that, I don't‼️ SO, here is this post's LIFE LESSON (mainly for Believers):  EXAMINE your motives, and then, your wardrobe, and IF, you sincerely desire to honor The Lord, by dressing modestly, then, set your mind (MINDSET), to always ATTEMPT to dress in a "fashion," that, pleases and glorifies, HIM, while, keeping in remembrance that, you represent HIM‼️👘👖👢👢MODESTY, is not about being religious, judgmental, putting people in "bondage," or, anything of the such‼️ MODESTY IS about RESPECTING oneself, others, and, most of all...GOD‼️  SOMETIMES, an insecure or needy type person, attempts to get attention, confidence, popularity, and, other "needs," met, by, dressing in a seductive, eccentric (which is often fine), etc., way, which, most generally, causes the exact opposite consequence to happen‼️ Whereas, if, one conducts oneself (attire, behavior, etc.), with, pleasing and honoring, God, being the motivation, then, one receives such things as:  God's, approval and blessing, self respect, respect from other people, and, many more positive things‼️WHY would I, as a married, female, Believer, want to dress in such a way, as to, tantalize or tempt, males into seeing me as - sexy, hot, etc., to the point of becoming an "OBJECT," anyway⁉️😏🥊🙏🏼  A long time ago, I decided to try, from that point forward, to dress in way that, is pleasing to my Savior.  And, I have, failed and succeeded, through the years since then, but, the motive of my heart, is to not bring disgrace to HIS name, with my wardrobe‼️ Even if, I still looked like I did, whenever, I was younger, and felt, confident, good, etc., about my appearance (thin, toned, tanned, etc.), I would continue doing this‼️  Whenever, I shop for my clothes, I always keep this standard in mind - for HIS GLORY‼️ The Bible indicates that, EVERYTHING, in which, an individual, says and/or does, reveals - what is in, his/her, heart (Luke 6:45, etc.)‼️ 💞💞 As I recently read on a 'Pinterest' pin..."Seek RESPECT, NOT, attention‼️ RESPECT lasts longer (throughout eternity - added by me 😉)‼️...📖🕊🙏🏼✝️🙌🏼💜...👋🏼...until next post...