Modesty is a matter of the heart. Instead of obsessing over what to wear or not wear, let us focus on clothing ourselves in godliness from the inside out. Yes, what we wear on the outside matters to God, but He cares most about what we put on inside our hearts.
Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.
Modesty is a principle that will help keep us safely on the covenant path as we progress to the presence of God. Modesty in dress and appearance and in thought and behavior will help prepare us to make and keep sacred temple covenants.
It should be clear that immodesty is not simply defined by the lack or type of clothing, but it also involves the audience and the intended result. Immodesty is an issue of the heart, not simply an issue of what one puts on their body. Using this definition of immodesty makes it pretty clear that immodesty is a sin.
But God also DOESN'T care about what you wear!
He reminds Samuel, “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). Our friends might care about what we wear, but God really doesn't care at all how you look.
“I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes” (1 Timothy 2:9, NIV). “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.
[6] For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. [7] For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
A woman must not wear men's clothing, nor a man wear women's clothing, for the LORD your God detests anyone who does this. If you come across a bird's nest beside the road, either in a tree or on the ground, and the mother is sitting on the young or on the eggs, do not take the mother with the young.
1 Peter 3:3-4 - Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. 5.
The Bible reminds us that our heavenly outfits will be the same. Because of the saving death and resurrection of Christ, pride, temptation and attention-seeking will cease to exist. Then, everyone will wear robes of purity (Revelation 7:9). We will wear clothes as pure as our hearts in the presence of our God.
“If we clothe ourselves with humility, then no matter how we dress, we will honor and reflect Christ.” God doesn't specify what external clothes honor him most, because he cares what our hearts wear.
Any talk of modesty, therefore, must begin with the heart, not the hemline, as the Prophet of Mercy, SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Sallam, said, 'Modesty is part of faith,'[1] and that part of faith must lie in the heart.
Modesty is a virtue necessary for purity. It flows out of the virtues of temperance, chastity, and self-control. A modest person dresses, speaks, and acts in a manner that supports and encourages purity and chastity, and not in as manner that would tempt or encourage sinful sexual behavior.
[17] Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter, neither shalt thou take her son's daughter, or her daughter's daughter, to uncover her nakedness; for they are her near kinswomen: it is wickedness.
To dress in a modest manner is about believing our bodies are precious and worth protecting for what is intimate. We can train our children to respect their own bodies with proper boundaries as we affirm their dignity, value and worthiness as Jesus has.
Modest fashion is about being comfortable in your skin. It's about allowing your natural self to come out and shine. People who dress modestly are often surprised by how comfortable their attire makes them feel. From your innermost being, you'll feel confident and secure.
The relevant biblical verses (Leviticus 19:19 and Deuteronomy 22:11) prohibit wearing wool and linen fabrics in one garment, the blending of different species of animals, and the planting together of different kinds of seeds (collectively known as kilayim).
They teach that the wearing of plain dress is scripturally commanded in 1 Timothy 2:9–10, 1 Peter 3:3–5, and 1 Corinthians 11:5–6, in addition to being taught by the early Church Fathers. Indeed, in the early Christian manual Paedagogus, the injunction for clothing to extend past the knees was enjoined.
[2] A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.
Not only that, but God can handle our motives for wearing makeup, and he can handle our sin, and meet us in the middle of any mess and deliver us from it. So when I say it is a matter of the heart, one can't say that wearing makeup is a sin.
Women's garments were probably longer (compare Nahum 3:5, Jeremiah 13:22, Jeremiah 13:26, Isaiah 47:2), had sleeves (2Samuel 13:19), presumably were brighter colors and more ornamented, and also may have been of finer material.
1 Peter 3:3-4
"Don't try to make yourselves beautiful on the outside, with stylish hair or by wearing gold jewelry or fine clothes. Instead, make yourselves beautiful on the inside, in your hearts, with the enduring quality of a gentle, peaceful spirit. This type of beauty is very precious in God's eyes."
We should avoid anything that we know is harmful to our bodies. We should not use any substance that is habit forming. We should also avoid overeating. The Word of Wisdom does not tell us everything to avoid or consume, but it does give us guidelines.
Dress and Grooming
Prophets have always counseled us to dress modestly. This counsel is founded on the truth that the human body is God's sacred creation. Respect your body as a gift from God. Through your dress and appearance, you can show the Lord that you know how precious your body is.
As Founder and Creator of the heavens and the earth and all that is in them, God holds the rights to all of it. That includes even us – our bodies, our minds, and our lives. Even when we had become slaves to sin, he redeemed us, paying with his Son's life.