Modestly living

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1 Timothy 5:6But she who gives herself to wanton pleasure is dead even while she lives.

Paul is talking to Timothy about how to honor widows. He goes into what qualifies women for aid by the church and what doesn't. A widow who continues to place her hope in God is indeed worthy. However, there are women who were not faithful to their husbands and they were already dead spiritually. Paul uses the word "wanton" which means causing sexual excitement. The Greek word is "Spatalao" which means from luxury, to be voluptuous, or to live in pleasure. So, a woman who is sexually exciting, living in pleasure, or living in luxury is dead even as she lives.

Growing up, I was always encouraged to be beautiful. I learned to dance at an early age and knew that my body was nothing to be ashamed of. It started out innocently enough, but I think it made it hard for me later to learn modesty. I remember thinking in high school that I had great cleavage and that I should show it off. God is saying, there is no life in living that way. Although now, I am significantly more modest, I still have a hard time doing it naturally. For over 20 years I have worn tight clothes, low cut tops, and felt no remorse. But now, I see that I was this woman who was giving herself to wanton pleasure. I was allowing men to be sexually excited by me and that was wrong. Now, I have to correct this wrong way of thinking. I want to change my habits. Already, I've thrown out clothes that are too revealing. God wants me to truly live. I cannot dwell on these surface things because they are only going to lead me to death spiritually. I desire to be pure on the inside as well as the outside.

Heavenly Father, please forgive me for giving into wanton pleasure. Lord, please transform my heart. Renew my mind. Lord, help me to dress modestly so that the only thing that people see when they look at me is Jesus. I thank You, Lord, for a husband that truly cares about my purity. I pray that if there is anything else I need to get rid of that You would reveal it to me. I love You, Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray...Amen.