Twisting the Truth about Modesty Today
By Rita Davidson
Families today are bombarded on every side, by impurity. As Catholic parents we are aware of the grave responsibility our children are. As Catholics we are should be aware of the eternal destiny of those of children. It is our responsibility to nourish them towards the virtue of modesty and purity. By doing this, we hope to inspire future vocations in the Church, eventually their eternal salvation and if God so chooses, sanctity for them.
Impurity in the world
Our Lady of Fatima warned us that, ‘The sins of the flesh cause the most souls to fall to hell.’ We can presume the greatest danger our children face today, besides the complete loss of Faith, is impurity. Impurity in all of the five senses.
In an age of great visual impact, the media has turned a tool, intended for good, and used it to corrupt our children. Through advertisements, movies, books, magazines, music and even cartoons. We can now add to that, the dangers of iPhones, iPads and hand held gaming consoles all looking for an opening to present impurity to our children. Yes, even our children have been burned.
Our children are no longer safe alone in society. Their innocence is quickly tainted by the onslaught of visual images. But modesty is the guardian of purity. By actively practicing modesty, in all its aspects, one can hope to preserve their purity. Our goal should be to teach them to be a good example in society for what true modesty should be. But don’t bet that all our hard work will succeed. We are battling ‘principalities and powers’ that seek nothing more than to steal the purity of our children.
Parents as Role Models for Modesty
Whether we like to admit it or not, we the parents, are one role model that our children learn from without realizing it. What we do, they will do. (They will do other things too!) But we have a large responsibility to live up to the strictest standards of modesty ourselves if we expect our children to take the subject seriously. Parents must take their clothing seriously.
If mom goes out with the latest immodest fashion, saying that “she must look nice for the party, or work, etc”, how can we expect our children to have standards? This is teaching our children that we can sacrifice modesty so that we are in style. That is incorrect. We, as parents, must realize this is not following Catholic teaching. It is important that we put modesty first, Yes, even if we must sacrifice fashion. Or yes, even, if we are hot. Just as we could never say we were forced to lie, we must never think we were forced to dress immodestly either.
Teaching Children modesty
It is important that parents teach children from a young age about the importance of remaining covered. Children who grow up mostly nude will have broken down their natural sense of modesty, so that by the time they are twelve they will feel comfortable in just about anything. For young girls this could mean disaster!
Many today are unaware of the seriousness of modesty in dress. With the media today having the largest say today even in Catholics lives, most will scoff at the idea of the necessity of modest clothing today. In fact, Catholics today use every form of argument to decry the injustice of modesty in dress! Democracy in the west has given us every freedom, and many feel this includes in what they wear. This is not so.
Modesty Today and Twisting the Truth
Is it any wonder how heated people get when discussing this? How anti-modesty brigades will bring up every argument against it. Or how other, perhaps well meaning defenders, will zealously take what they can, from where they can, with no thought to giving credit where credit is due.
Oh Satan is having a ball in the Church today! Especially having fun with stirring up people for and against modesty. If Satan gives so much attention to this subject, is that not an indication that it is important to HIM!
That is why I titled my book, “Immodesty, Satan’s Virtue” because truly it is Satan’s playground to be twisting the truth about modesty into confusion and bring out all the wolves in sheep’s clothing into this argument! Do not be fooled people, the devil takes modesty very seriously and if you don’t, he’s quite fine with that.
Since 1999 when I first wrote my book, Immodesty, Satan’s Virtue. I have seen this movement grow into what it is today. When I wrote my book there was no other modesty books on the market except one small booklet. Now there are blogs, articles, books and more that have developed since then. Unfortunately, many (not all) of them, have distorted the message of modesty entirely.
As you seek the truth about modesty, be aware of the wolves out there. Prepare yourself with much prayer for truth.
Pray to Our Lady to guide you to what she wills for you.
Pray for humility because modesty is very much wrapped up with pride. ( I bet that was an ‘aha!’ moment for some of you eh?)
Pride comes from the loins of Satan himself. He would love nothing more than to keep you blind to the truth about modesty. Pray very much for God to strengthen you to accept HIS will and HIS truth against the falsehoods and lies out there.
May God bless you and keep you as you seek His will in your life!
What are your obstacles about modesty? Share with me here! (Yes, even your rants and raves if you must 🙂
©Copyright 2004-2013 Rita Davidson All Rights Reserved.
Rita is a Catholic wife and mother of seven children. Mark is her ever patient husband. She reverted back to the faith when her oldest was making her First Communion. By then, she had completed degrees in Hairdressing and Make up artistry. She went on to receive a degree in Natural Health and another degree in Art. At age 26, Rita suffered a minor stroke. With no lasting effects, this dramatically changed her outlook on life. In 1996, Rita began ‘Little Flowers Family Apostolates’ to reach out to other families with her new found faith, by creating unique Catholic books and resources.. In 1999, she wrote the bestselling, ‘Immodesty; Satan’s Virtue’. She was editor of ‘The Catholic Health Letter’ for 7 years. She has been a homeschooling mom for 20+ years, and has written for various magazines. She is honored that families have trusted her with their questions, needs and concerns over the years. She continues to write and reach out to Catholic families with her husband, Mark and their 4 boys through http://www.LittleFlowersFamilyPress.com
Leave a Reply