Modesty-A QUALITY THAT PROMOTES PEACE

Developing and Maintaining Modesty

Adam and Eve succumbed to immodesty-a trait they passed on to their offspring.  What can help us to avoid  making the same mistake as our first parents?  How can we develop the fine quality of modesty?

To begin with, an accurate understanding of our position in relation to Jehovah, the Creator of the universe, will help us.  What personal achievements could we claim that could ever compare with God's accomplishments?  Jehovah asked his faithful servant Job:  "Where did you happen to be when I founded the earth?  Tell me, if you do know understanding."  (Job 38:4) Job could give no answer.  Are we not similarly limited in knowledge, ability and experience?  Is it not beneficial for us to acknowledge our limitations?

Furthermore, the Bible tells us:  "To Jehovah belong the earth and that which fills it, the productive land and those dwelling in it."  This includes "every wild animal of the forest, the beasts upon a thousand mountains."  Jehovah can say:  "The silver is mine, and the gold is mine."  (Psalm 24:1; 50:10; Haggai 2:8) What possessions could we display that compare  with those of Jehovah?  Why, even the wealthiest human has no reason to boast in what he owns!  Therefore, it is wise to follow the apostle Paul's inspired counsel to Christians in Rome:  "Through the undeserved kindness given to me I tell everyone there among you not to think more of himself than it is necessary to think." -Romans 12:3.

As servants of God desiring to cultivate modesty, we should pray for the fruitage of the spirit-love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness and self-control.  (Luke 11:13; Galatians 5:22, 23)  Why? Because each of these qualities will make it easier for us to be modest.  For instance,  love for fellow humans will help us to fight a tendency toward boastfulness or conceit.  And self-control will make us stop and think before acting immodestly.

Let  us beware!  We constantly need to be on guard against the pitfalls of immodesty.  Two of the kings mentioned earlier were not modes on every occasion.   King David threw caution to the wind by carrying out a census in Israel, something that was against the will of Jehovah.   King Solomon became immodest even to the point of engaging in false worship. -2 Samuel 24:1-10; 1 Kings 11:1-13.

As long as this godless system of things lasts, being modest calls for constant vigilance.  However, the effort is worthwhile.  In God's new world, human society will consist only of those who are modest.  They will regard modesty as a strength,  not a weakness.  How wonderful it will be when all individuals  and families are blessed with the peace that comes with modesty!

Next time:An Exemplary Man Who Accepted Correction

Watchtower, 2000