The Hidden Beauty in Modesty

1 Timothy 2:9-10 English Standard Version (ESV)

9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.

Let us examine a Biblical woman who embodies this verse: Queen Esther.

The Hebrew translation of Esther is Hester and it means “hidden.”

After reading the entire book of Esther, I compiled some adjectives to describe her character:

• Modest

• Reserved

• Humble

• Self-controlled 

Queen Esther was a vessel used by God. She was in alignment to our Creator through her mind, body and soul. This allowed Esther to discover a way to do what was needed. Her actions are a testimony that beautifully fulfill the Biblical principle, “Nothing can stand in the way of God’s will.”

The former Queen, Vashti, was a woman who got attention by displaying her undressed body at King Ahasuerus’s Royal banquets. While her body itself was attractive, that was her only attribute. In her refusal to display her body one day, she lost not only her position as queen, but her life as well.

Esther 1:10-12 ESV

10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha and Abagtha, Zethar and Carkas, the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of King Ahasuerus, 11 to bring Queen Vashti before the king with her royal crown, in order to show the peoples and the princes her beauty, for she was lovely to look at. 12 But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command delivered by the eunuchs. At this the king became enraged, and his anger burned within him.

Although Esther was physically attractive, she kept her beauty hidden. King Ahasuerus was able to see not only Esther’s outer beauty, but the inner beauty of her soul—a woman who has awe for her Creator.

1 Peter 3:4

4 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.

I would like to share my personal testimony of modesty.

“Modesty will never go out of style.” I once overhead an older and wise Sister from my church say. She was saddened by the new fashion trends younger girls were adhering to. She said something that spoke very deeply to my heart and soul. ” I wish women who serve God truly understood that they are daughters of the King of Kings and that their appearance should reflect that royal status.” I don’t think until this day she knows that I was ease dropping on her conversation and the effect it had on my soul.

You see, all this time, I considered myself to be dressing modestly because I never wore attire that revealed skin. However, I loved wearing tight clothing. Clothing that was tight enough to ouline my curves. I never thought anything of it, until God put in my heart that I should dress how I want other women to dress around my husband and sons.

Now I realize, that this is something God must tranform in a woman’s heart—we should never judge one another because that is not what God teaches us. Instead, we should have compassion, love, understanding while uplifting one another. Teach with kindness and respect—lead by example just as Queen Esther.

I pray for all women to find the inner spiritual beauty and strength that God gifted each of them with. I myself am also still in that learning process. Modesty does not mean you are not allowed to have style or enjoy fashion. You can have both and still edify The Lord.

Let us never forget that our faith is the most beautiful thing we wear.