Steve Ross
Aug 24, 2017 · 2 min read

Thanks for the thoughtful article. In a sea of those applauding it, I have to take issue with it to some degree. Great points are made, probably the best of which is that young men must take responsibility for their minds/hearts. However, what the article seems to miss is that we (men, women, boys, girls, all of us) are weak in some areas and strong in others. This is why the Apostle Paul writes to the church in Rome, “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” — Romans 15:1–2. This passage is nothing short of revolutionary in our culture as it is so ‘others’ centered. It also clearly makes the point that people have weaknesses. The passage could not be more clear…bear with the failings of the weak…please them for their good, to build them up…don’t be focused on pleasing yourself. *Your* article basically tells women, “please yourself”… “Wear what makes you feel good”… “Your brother’s weakness…don’t consider or worry about that”. My counsel to my daughters and to anyone who will listen, is to consider others as more important than yourself (Phil 2), which includes being mindful of their weaknesses. Try to help people be built up, rather than carelessly contributing to their struggles. Having said all this, modesty is bound in culture to a large degree, and what I view as modest is probably not the same as other’s view. There is room for disagreement on what modesty is, and each person should think it through and decide for themselves. However, the idea that women (or men) should dress how they want without considering others is foreign to the Christian life, because it is selfish. So, all parities involved in this life of struggles have skin in the game. Women and men should dress modestly, and women and men should control themselves. And most importantly, we should think of others needs and weaknesses, and live with an awareness of them. As Paul says, “bear with the failings of the weak, and don’t focus on pleasing yourself”. And by the way, modesty is not necessarily ‘hottest’, but it is nonetheless very attractive to godly men and women.

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    Steve Ross

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    Follower of Jesus; husband; father; IT Geek. Oh, and I like to camp and hike occasionally.