I Timothy 2:9-10, “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But which becometh women professing godliness with good works.”
The term “blushing bride” used to be a compliment, an expression used to describe the reaction of a chaste young woman about to become a wife. Blushing was symbolic of her purity and modesty. This expression seems to have gone out of vogue, along with the virtue and discretion it symbolized. Sadly, in its place, we live in a generation that seems ashamed of nothing. The Bible speaks of just such a generation. “There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.” (Pro. 30:13) “Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.” (Jer. 6:15; also Jer. 8:12 and 3:3) This sounds exactly like the culture in which we live. We live in a time when even women who profess Christianity seem completely unashamed to publicly display things which shouldn’t even be privately discussed. “For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.” (Eph. 5:12) They flaunt immodesty and immorality, and rather than being ashamed of their own actions, they seek to shame those who would dare question or reprove them. (Pro. 30:20)
The Bible teaches us that modesty is to be a defining quality of a godly woman. Inwardly, modesty is to be humble, meek, virtuous, and unassuming. Outwardly, it should be visible in our apparel, our attitudes, and our actions. It is not enough to be inwardly modest, yet fail to demonstrate it outwardly. Nor is it valid to be outwardly modest, and yet be arrogant or indecent in our hearts. To have one part without the other is incomplete and insincere.
“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.” (I Tim. 2:9-10)
The word, “shamefacedness” in this text means modesty toward men and reverence toward God. It has the idea of downcast eyes, not because of being backward or bashful, but because one doesn’t desire to be brazen. A woman characterized by shamefacedness and sobriety is the opposite of the flirtatious, foolish woman of Proverbs. (see Proverbs 5, 6, and 7) Ladies, can you blush? Are you embarrassed by vulgarity, immodesty, crude language, and innuendo, or have you allowed the world to shame you out of blushing? Have you allowed the things you read and
listen to and watch to desensitize you to the things that should cause you to blush? Being a woman of modesty and virtue has never been popular, has never been common, and has never been easy, but it has always been right. God says that such a woman is of “great price” and is highly valued by Him. The question, “Who can find a virtuous woman?” still rings out today. This woman is valuable because she is rare. I encourage you, be that rare woman. Guard your purity. Cherish your femininity. Behave virtuously. Choose wisely. Dress modestly. Serve willingly.
And don’t be ashamed to blush. Be ashamed if you don’t.
Niki Lott | Pastor’s wife
New Testament Baptist Church | Butler, PA
https://www.visitntbc.com