The Beauty of Modesty (by Cathe Laurie)
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2 NKJV).
If we could sit down and chat, I’d love to talk about something that’s been on my heart: choosing to dress modestly in a world that’s always pushing you to show more.
Girls (and ladies of all ages), I know that you’re navigating a million pressures right now—social media, friends, and those TikTok trends that make you feel like you need to put it all out there to be noticed. But as a mom and grandmother, I want to share some wisdom about why modesty matters and how it can be a beautiful way to honor God and yourself.
Importance of Modesty
The most important thing you can do is decide to live for God’s glory. That’s your purpose! That’s why you’re here—to please Him and shine His love through your life. I get it . . . some days you might feel like fitting in or getting “likes” matters more. But trust me, true joy comes when you say, “God, I’m Yours, and I want my life to make You smile.”
Your body isn’t yours to do whatever you want to with—it belongs to the Lord. Think of it like a gift He’s entrusted to you. It’s a temple of the Holy Ghost! And what an honor that is.
Modesty is your way of saying, “I’m beautiful because I’m His, and I’m dressing to show that.” Modesty pleases God. It frees you from being a slave to fashion fads. It shields you from the wrong kind of attention. And it sets you up for deeper joy and intimacy in marriage, now or in the future!
Your smile, your kindness, the way you carry His love—those are what make you radiant! When you see yourself as a vessel for the Lord, you’ll find His guidance like a compass for choosing clothes that reflect your heart for Him, not the world’s push to show it off.
Remember Daniel in the Bible? I know he was a guy, but he was a teenager who said, “I’m not going along with the crowd if it means going against God.” He chose purity in every form, and you can too.
Dressing Modestly
So choose clothes that cover with grace, that let your heart shine brighter than any outfit.
Honoring the Lord and letting Him shine through will fill your heart in a way no temporary attention grab ever could. It’s not about rules or looking boring; it’s about a pure heart that shows up in how you dress and carry yourself.
My sweet friends of all ages, I’m praying for you, and I’m so proud of the women you’re becoming. I’m with you on this journey, and I know that as you seek to serve the Lord through every aspect of your life—modesty included—you’ll grow more and more into the woman He made you to be: one who lives to please God and glows with His glory.
—
Cathe Laurie is the founder and director of the Virtue women’s ministry. She is also a featured speaker on The Virtue Podcast, at Harvest events, and the author of As I See It. You can find her weekly articles here on harvest.org.
