When did modesty lose its value?

It has been weighing heavily on my heart for quite awhile now. Sometimes I just feel so alone in my views that I shy away, terrified to speak up. And I know that there are many other women in my generation that feel the same way: the burden on the heart with a fear of voicing it.

The issue is modesty.

It's a difficult issue to talk about because it is hard to draw the line. It is not something where I can say, "Just don't touch alcohol and getting drunk won't be a problem." We can't just not wear clothes. So, where do we draw the line? What is acceptable and what is not?

Part of the issue is not even in the clothing, but in the way we carry ourselves. Modesty first and foremost reflects the entire Proverbs 31 woman. It is about having that gentle spirit. It is in the way one works, the way one speaks to others, the way one selflessly provides for others, and the way one dresses. So, in order to address modesty, the entire spectrum of the definition is important. And, while I feel the entire picture of a modest women has deteriorated, I feel as if the issue of modest appearance has become an almost terrifying thing.

I have made it an issue to ask about ten of my brothers in Christ over the past few months what their opinion of females in bikinis is specifically. "When you see a beautiful girl in a bikini, do you stumble?"

Not a single one of these men said no to me.

Now, while I understand very well that the problem lies within the sinful nature, not within the clothing itself, it still must be addressed because it still exists.

We are on this journey together. Brothers and sisters all aiming for the Highest Prize-- being face-to-face with our Creator, the Living God. So, we make it a point to see Him together. We do not do this alone.

So although I may not have all of the answers on where the line needs to be crossed, I do know that when a guy sees anything evenly remotely revealing, he will be tempted to stumble. Why is it that us women who BEAR THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST are unwilling to give up our DESIRE TO FIT IN WITH THE WORLD and LOOK GOOD in order to help our brothers? No one in our generation seems to care anymore what they wear or who they may be affecting (and this goes even outside of the realm of clothing).

We begin to forget that we are not here to please ourselves or others (by wearing clothing that is revealing to fit in or look good), and we are unwilling to live lives fully committed to His Kingdom -- including helping our brothers and sisters in Christ to not fall -- by leading them astray.

We need our brothers in Christ to be strong, to abstain from sin, so we need to help them as much as they help us.

Ladies, let's step it up. Stop wearing revealing clothing. Bathing suits around guys -- just think about it. Tight shirts and pants. Cleavage. Short skirts / dresses. Even obsessive makeup These things matter.

We do not exist on this earth to look good. We aren't here for anyone but our Creator. And He is already pleased -- ENTHRALLED -- with our beauty.

May we not forget that.
Step it up. Please.

Call me ultra conservative... but I really just love my brothers in Christ and I NEED THEM.