Teaching Team
Hidden Person of the Heart
Let [wives] exhibit the beautiful behavior of purity, let them show an honest attitude of meekness; let them demonstrate the control they have over their tongue by the way they speak; let them display their love for others, not by showing favoritism just to best friends, but by showing the same affection to everyone who piously fears God. (1 Clement 21:6-7)
These were the years of the life of Sarah. (Genesis 23:1)
Abraham was captivated by Sarah's beauty all their years together. "I know that you are a beautiful woman" (Genesis 12:11), he told her. Sarah must have been beautiful. She caught the eyes of kings. She was taken into the harems of Pharaoh and Abimelech. But Sarah possessed more than a pretty face.
The Apostle Peter taught that Sarah's great beauty came from her inner quality. He called this inner quality the "hidden person of the heart" (1 Peter 3:4). What is the "hidden person of the heart"? Peter is speaking of Sarah's modesty.
Modesty is a difficult concept to communicate to the modern world. Our modern culture has accustomed us to brazenness. We no longer have a sense of shame or boundaries. We have forgotten how to blush.
In the biblical culture, modesty is much more than simple reticence about one's own accomplishments and merits. In Hebrew, the word modesty comes from the verb tzana (×¦× ×¢), a word that implies humility, submission and discretion. A modest person is a person who knows the difference between private and public, inside and outside, male and female.
The immodest person pays no regard to gender lines. The immodest person makes no distinction between appropriate and inappropriate conversation. Paul warns us that among believers "there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or course jesting" (Ephesians 5:4). He reminds us that "it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by [the disobedient] in secret" (Ephesians 5:12). He warns Timothy to "avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness" (2 Timothy 2:16). A modest person is careful with his words; he does not seek to draw attention to himself. He does not interrupt to speak his mind.
The Proverbs say that "the woman of folly is boisterous" (Proverbs 9:13). A loud person who dominates a conversation or interjects himself into others' conversations displays immodesty.
The immodest person is flirtatious. The Bible criticizes women of pride who "walk with heads held high and seductive eyes, and go along with mincing steps and tinkle the bangles on their feet" (Isaiah 3:16). God is not impressed with fashion, charm, wiles or bangles.
A modest person does not share the intimacy of physical affection outside of the privacy of marriage. The kiss, the hug, the caress and even simple hand-holding are means of connection between husband and wife, who are one flesh. When offered to others of the opposite gender outside of marriage, these simple affections are cheapened and rendered meaningless.
A modest woman is careful to properly cover herself. "She makes coverings for herself. ... Strength and dignity are her clothing," says Proverbs 31:22-25. The private parts of our bodies are clothed to keep them private. The immodest person dresses to expose as much as possible. "As a ring of gold in a swine's snout so is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion" (Proverbs 11:22).
The apostles caution women in particular against adorning themselves to attract attention. Peter says, "Your adornment must not be merely external ... let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God" (1 Peter 3:3-4).
Peter states that this is how the holy women of the past, such as Sarah, used to adorn themselves, and he reminds us that we "have become her children" (1 Peter 3:6). Sarah knew the difference between inside and outside, between private and public. Her beauty radiated out from the hidden person within her heart.
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Visitor Feedback:
I liked this article, Boaz. We don't talk much about humility and modesty in our culture. As you say, it's quite the opposite. Thanks for highlighting this.
Judah Himango | November 17, 2009 10:58 AM