According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 36% of Americans have diagnosed Social Anxiety Disorder, however the fear itself of being judged by others is quite possibly even too common to measure. Almost everyone deals with peer pressure from those around them, and sometimes it pushes us to become someone we're not. However, God's Word has a different approach to outside judgement and pressure... it teaches how to overcome it! As Christians, we are called to be the salt and light of the earth. (Matthew 5:13-16) What beautiful imagery Jesus gives us in this passage! Now, obviously Jesus wasn't saying that we are literally salt or light, but that that's what we should imagine ourselves as being. In this world, everyone seems to be following the same trends, trying as best as they can to fit in, and to be like everyone else: its so...bland. God calls us to be different. He commands us not to "be conformed to pattern of this world" (Romans 12:2), but to be set apart (Deuteronomy 14:2). We are called to be the salt in this "bland" world! In 1 John 1:5, we learn that "God is light; [and that] in Him there is no darkness at all." When Adam and Eve sinned against God in the very beginning of time (Genesis 3), sin, also known as (metaphorical) darkness, fell on the world. When we accept Jesus, He is without sin, and that's where the phrase "to see the light" comes from. Remember that by accepting Jesus we also receive God into our hearts. He is light, therefore we become light as well, as Jesus explains in verse 14. We need to understand that as soon as we accept Christ and become children of God, we become the salt and light of the earth: we become even more special than we already were because we now have the chance to fulfil God's plan for our lives! However, we cannot only be Christians behind closed doors! "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet." |
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"What should I say?" "Should I go?" "What am I doing for college?" "What should I wear today?" "Should I really be with this person?" "Stay home and study, or go out and party?"
Decisions. No matter how much we try to avoid them or push them to the side, they're always there to haunt us. They can be overwhelming... there's so many options of what to do and often the best one isn't clear. Even if we ask for others' opinions, we can still be conflicted. However, the one thing that never fails is the Word of God, and it's always there to direct us. Every answer is found in the Bible: all we have to do is find them!
Decisions. No matter how much we try to avoid them or push them to the side, they're always there to haunt us. They can be overwhelming... there's so many options of what to do and often the best one isn't clear. Even if we ask for others' opinions, we can still be conflicted. However, the one thing that never fails is the Word of God, and it's always there to direct us. Every answer is found in the Bible: all we have to do is find them!
"Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."
(Proverbs 3:5-6)
I love these verses so much because they're so versatile, but so specific at the same time. If we're looking at them in the context of decision-making, it's great instruction of what we should do in the midst of a dilemma. Verse 5 tells us to trust in the Lord, meaning that we have to trust that God's way is always the best way (Psalm 18:30). The second part of verse 5 says "and do not lean on your own understanding." Here, Solomon reminds us that we must seek God's will first (Matthew 6:33). Our ideals and personal choices are always flawed by our flesh, but if we seek God's will in His Word, (verse 6) we will be able to make valid decisions. We must make our decisions off of what God tells us to do, or we just aren't living for Him. Why would we accept Jesus and then proceed to making decisions by our own logic? He gives us the ability to receive His knowledge! (Proverbs 2:6) Verse 6 says: "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." In ALL our ways acknowledge Him, so when we have a decision to make, consult Him (His Word), and He will show us what to do.
It is so very important that we make decisions with our spirit, not with our flesh. Our sinful nature causes us to have the tendency to choose things that lead to or have to do with sin.
Let's face it: the majority of us don't make our decisions off of God's Word. If we have friends or family members that were in similar predicaments, we tend to look back and see what their decisions were. We call up people close to us and go with advice we're given. What we need to consider is if the people we look to for help were making decisions or giving advice based on their own logic and on the trends of the world or if they're using God's Word as their #1 source of authority. Chances are, they too base their decisions off of "their gut feeling" or "what feels right." The truth of the matter is that the only way to make TRULY good decisions is through the Word of God. We should never make decisions based off of feelings. Don't fall into the lies that you should "go with your gut feeling" or do what "you feel is right." Feelings are fickle and temporary, but God's Word is never-changing truth.
We may feel like we're making a good decision, but because we didn't go with God's plan, we might miss out on something He had in store for us.
Even if you don't like the answer the Bible has, or you feel "wrong" doing what it says, remember that God can never be wrong. He never can and never will fail you. Even if after you make the decision you feel like you messed up, remember that God always has a bigger plan for you. Nothing you do that comes from the Bible will negatively impact your spirit.
God doesn't make mistakes...He puts us in the middle of certain decisions for a reason! (Read more about God's reason for allowing hardship ➳)
Let's face it: the majority of us don't make our decisions off of God's Word. If we have friends or family members that were in similar predicaments, we tend to look back and see what their decisions were. We call up people close to us and go with advice we're given. What we need to consider is if the people we look to for help were making decisions or giving advice based on their own logic and on the trends of the world or if they're using God's Word as their #1 source of authority. Chances are, they too base their decisions off of "their gut feeling" or "what feels right." The truth of the matter is that the only way to make TRULY good decisions is through the Word of God. We should never make decisions based off of feelings. Don't fall into the lies that you should "go with your gut feeling" or do what "you feel is right." Feelings are fickle and temporary, but God's Word is never-changing truth.
We may feel like we're making a good decision, but because we didn't go with God's plan, we might miss out on something He had in store for us.
Even if you don't like the answer the Bible has, or you feel "wrong" doing what it says, remember that God can never be wrong. He never can and never will fail you. Even if after you make the decision you feel like you messed up, remember that God always has a bigger plan for you. Nothing you do that comes from the Bible will negatively impact your spirit.
God doesn't make mistakes...He puts us in the middle of certain decisions for a reason! (Read more about God's reason for allowing hardship ➳)
For the most part, choosing to live by the Bible's answers is simple, but sometimes they may not fit with social standards. However, DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED! We are called as Christians to be set apart from the world and its values. (Read more ➳)
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
(Romans 12:2)
We are in a battle between flesh and spirit, and we need to learn to keep choosing God over the world. This is one decision we just can't compromise on!
So am I saying to never ask anyone for advice when it comes to decisions? Of course not! Ask for advice and get opinions, but don't make final choices from those pieces of advice. If you're considering doing something that someone suggests, see if it lines up with God's Word. If it does, go for it, but if it doesn't, do what it says to do. Try to get opinions from people who believe in God's Word as truth and that have a strong relationship with the Lord: they're most likely to give you an answer based off of biblical principles.
If you're in the middle of a tough decision right now, I get it, I've been there! It can be exhausting and confusing. I have to say, there are certain situations that I wish I would've consulted the Bible in because I know I would've made better choices... but I mean, that happens to everyone! That's why it's important to start reaching for your Bible more when problems arise. Developing a habit of daily, thorough Bible study will help you automatically look into scripture when you have a problem. If you're already accustomed to living out biblical principles, teachings, etc. then you'll definitely be more likely to run to your Bible when problems arise...and that's what we should all be doing! Choosing decisions from the Bible will bring you extreme fulfillment, and you will be able to recognize why God wants us to do certain things! It's a beautiful thing!
Let me know in the comments: what decisions do you wish you had made after consulting the Bible?
Many blessings,
Let me know in the comments: what decisions do you wish you had made after consulting the Bible?
Many blessings,
ps. If you'd like any prayers regarding your specific decisions, you can submit requests to the "prayer corner" page! :-)
pps. Here's a prayer for decision-making that I'm sure will help you with any decision you may face!
pps. Here's a prayer for decision-making that I'm sure will help you with any decision you may face!
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Prayer for Decison-Making | |
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Scripture to remember:
- "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6)
- "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." (James 1:5)
- "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)
- "And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left." (Isaiah 30:21)
- "And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us." (1 John 5:14)
- Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety. (Proverbs 11:14)
- "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31)
- "Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. When wickedness comes, contempt comes also, and with dishonor comes disgrace. The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice." (Proverbs 18:1-24)
- "Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known." (Jeremiah 33:3)
- “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me." (John 5:30)
- "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord." (Proverbs 16:33)
- "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you." (Psalm 32:8)
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Hey everyone! This week we're going to be discussing something that I've recently become really passionate about: modesty. Modesty is a word we don't really hear very much in today's culture. Modern feminism often goes in the opposite direction on the subject of clothing, encouraging women to show off their bodies. However, that is not God's best for women.
God made man and woman in His own Holy image (Genesis 1:27), and He holds us at a very high value. What we must remember and fully understand as Christian girls is that God loves us unconditionally and values us {mankind} more than anything else in this world.
God made man and woman in His own Holy image (Genesis 1:27), and He holds us at a very high value. What we must remember and fully understand as Christian girls is that God loves us unconditionally and values us {mankind} more than anything else in this world.
"She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare to her."
(Proverbs 3:15)
This also all goes back to Christ. Even in our sin, God sent Christ for us to put our trust in (Romans 5:8).
When we put our complete trust in Jesus and are saved, the Holy Spirit enters our spirit and dwells within us(1 Thessalonians 5:23), and we become a living temple of the Holy Spirit.
When we put our complete trust in Jesus and are saved, the Holy Spirit enters our spirit and dwells within us(1 Thessalonians 5:23), and we become a living temple of the Holy Spirit.
"Do you not know your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."
(1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, the Apostle Paul gives us a beautifully clear image of why it is so important for us as Christian girls to dress modestly, so let's break it down:
"Do you not know your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you whom you have from God?" (1 Cor. 6:19a)
This part is pretty self-explanatory. In the book of Acts which occurred during the time just before as well as after Jesus ascended into heaven, it states that that Apostles "were all filled with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 4:31). The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Holy Trinity: God's force on earth. As earlier mentioned, when we accept Jesus as our personal savior, we also accept the Spirit of God into us. We hold the Spirit of God within us! Think of what value our bodies then hold! We must honor and protect our bodies. We are like an oyster, and the Holy Spirit is the pearl.
"You are not your own," (1 Cor. 6:19b)
When we accept God's call to redemption, we become His! "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine" (Isaiah 43:1). This may be a small part of the scripture, but it has a big message. In this day and age, we often hear the phrases, "Do what your heart desires", "Follow your heart", "You're the author of your own story", and "Do what makes you happy", but most of the time, those things are not God's best for us. Feminism preaches this quite heavily: that we as women should look to ourselves as the main authority. However, we should really be looking to God for our one and only authority. He designed the world! He designed mankind! He designed us as women...who could know better about what's best for us than the author of humanity? Therefore, we are called to remember that we should submit our own will to God rather than making up our own rules and doing whatever we want. We have free will, but if we belong to an all-knowing, perfect God, why would and/or should we need to decide what's best for ourselves?
"...for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." (1 Cor. 6:20)
Look at how much GOD LOVES US. He loves us so much that He sent His only Son to WILLINGLY DIE A HORRID DEATH ON A CROSS. Our righteousness and our purity was bought only with the blood of Jesus Christ! Christ paid the price! Now that we are worthy to hold the Holy Spirit within us, we are called to Glorify Him for what He did for us! Our God is so worthy of praise and glorification. Not only are we redeemed through His son, but He is constantly working beautiful miracles in the world around us. We should be proud to bare the name of Jesus! (1 Peter 4:16) Before Christ's sacrifice, we didn't have the privilege to be called by His name, but by the Blood, we are cleansed and made new (2 Corinthians 5:17). Because of this, we must show God that we understand our value...that we understand the magnitude of His sacrifice for us! God gave us all beautiful, unique bodies, but we must honor it as a temple of His Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 2:10). (Read more about self-value ➳)
Therefore, the heart of modesty is not to hide our bodies in shame, but to show the dignity and value we hold for them.
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So now that you know the reasons to dress modestly, how should you pursue it?
The first thing, and one of, if not the most important thing to do is to set modesty standards for yourself. This varies from person to person, but as long as it stays within the Bible's instructions, you're all good! (See 'scripture to remember' at the bottom of this blog post) However, general, unwritten "rules" of modesty include not wearing low cut shirts, short skirts, short shorts, short dresses, bikinis, skin-tight clothing, etc. Anything that you would label as "revealing" wouldn't cut it as modest or God-honoring.
I know what you may be thinking: if I shouldn't wear any of that, then what can I wear that honors God?
There are so many cute, fashionable, trendy, yet modest outfits and styles. Honestly, once I started to make modesty a top priority, I've actually had more fun with fashion! Because it's a little more difficult to find modest clothing out in the open, you can scope the web for more specific things, put together specific outfits, etc. And to know that you're doing it all to honor and glorify God makes it just that much better.
Here's my Pinterest board I've made for modest fashion to show that looking cute and being modest can in fact go hand in hand!
I know what you may be thinking: if I shouldn't wear any of that, then what can I wear that honors God?
There are so many cute, fashionable, trendy, yet modest outfits and styles. Honestly, once I started to make modesty a top priority, I've actually had more fun with fashion! Because it's a little more difficult to find modest clothing out in the open, you can scope the web for more specific things, put together specific outfits, etc. And to know that you're doing it all to honor and glorify God makes it just that much better.
Here's my Pinterest board I've made for modest fashion to show that looking cute and being modest can in fact go hand in hand!
Besides getting a new wardrobe, it's important to pray for God's guidance if you're just starting on your modesty journey.
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for showing me how much You love and value me by sending Your Son to die on the cross for me. I thank You for the beautiful body you've given me and for allowing Your Holy Spirit to dwell within it at my acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior. I value my body, for it is a temple of the Holy Spirit. I know I am Yours, Lord, and I ask for your help in dressing modestly to glorify and honor You, for You are my King. I thank You that Your Word says that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, and I pray that its truth will empower me to stay on the narrow path to You and to deny the world.
I pray this in Jesus' name.
Amen.
Modesty is a huge part of being a woman of God. Godly women recognize their worth in Christ and strive to portray that to the Lord, but also to the world. We are called to be the salt and light of the earth(Matthew 5:13-16), and dressing modestly sets us apart in a wonderful way.
Let me know in the comments: will you choose God's best and dress modestly to honor Him?
Let me know in the comments: will you choose God's best and dress modestly to honor Him?
More about modesty:
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Visit 'Hello Modesty' ➳
Scripture to remember:
- "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
- "Like a gold ring in a pig's snout , is a beautiful woman without discretion." (Proverbs 11:22)
- "And I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes." (1 Timothy 2:9)
- "She is clothed in strength and dignity and laughs without fear of the future." (Proverbs 31:25)
- "She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare to her." (Proverbs 3:15)
- "I appeal to you therefore, [sisters], by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:1-2)
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About the Author
Hi! I'm Angie! I'm a college student, worship leader, pro-life advocate, future teacher, youth ministry intern, and above all else, follower of Jesus Christ. I would love to get to know you!
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