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Modesty Lets Our Light Shine

Last Saturday evening, Ayesha Curry, wife of NBA star Stephen Curry, was flipping through a Style Weekly and shared her observations with Twitter:

“Everyone’s into barely wearing clothes these days huh? Not my style. I like to keep the good stuff covered up for the one who matters

??See her twitter here.

Those thoughts sparked a Twitter debate on the virtues—or lack thereof—of showing off one’s figure with bare clothing. One reply asked, “What’s wrong with not being covered up?” With only a few characters, Ayesha Curry, a professed believer in Jesus Christ, injected modesty—and salt and light—into the social stream.

Modest Clothing Is a Witness

It’s doubtful that anyone was shocked by Ayesha’s observation. Immodesty is commonplace and our cultural sensibilities have shifted somewhat rapidly. There was a time when bikini-clad women in 30-second commercials were a phenomenon. Now we hardly blink as not only commercials but Facebook and Instagram feeds fill with “bare” apparel. Hardly anything shocks the conscience, except maybe a woman who holds to a godly standard of modesty.

That’s the nature of being salt and light. We show ourselves to be set apart—distinct. We are a walking testimony of a holy God who has also called us to be holy (1 Peter 1:15–16). Our clothing plays no small part. It’s often the first thing people notice, and it sends a message, just like our conversation and our attitude. Our clothing tells people what is important to us.

Immodest clothing says, “Look at me. Focus on my body.” But as believers, we live to point people to something more. We are witnesses to a lost and dying world in need of a magnificent, all-satisfying Savior. We want them to know of the saving power of Christ, and his ability to transform from the core. Clothing may seem a small matter, but if we name the name of Christ, the world around us is watching. When we embrace a standard that is not of this world—or tweet about it—it shines.

Modesty and the Light of Christ

As much as we want to glorify the Lord in our choice of clothing, clothing is not the main issue. In a sense, clothing should be a nonfactor, the thing that fades to the background, so that the greater can shine. Modest clothing draws the eye—not to the outer body—but to the light of Christ within.