The Modesty Petition

Oh, how I have longed for a grace-filled, non-legalistic, love-based call to modesty... especially from the segment of contemporary Christendom that tends to be so concerned with being "heart based" - and not being behavioristic and moralistic - that it sometimes misses the forest for the trees. Or throws the baby out with the bathwater. Or whatever cutesy slogan applies when the "salt loses its saltiness, and is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men" (Matthew 5:13).

Perhaps it might be coming sooner than I thought. I hope so.



From C. J. Mahaney, Sovereign Grace Ministries:
"We must face the reality that teaching on modesty alone is not sufficient. Someone must address specifics--without fear of legalism, motivated by grace, for the purpose of godliness--and I believe that The Modesty Survey does just that."

From Joshua Harris, best-selling author, I Kissed Dating Goodbye:
"My brothers, Alex and Brett have accomplished something very unique with The Modesty Survey. In an appropriate and tactful way they've facilitated a conversation between men and women on a most delicate issue: modesty in dress. To be honest, I wasn't sure what to think of it when I first saw it. Some of the statements on the survey struck me as really funny, even odd. I kept waiting for a statement like, "It's a stumbling block for a girl to be pretty" -- 95% of men agree! But this is where it's really important to understand the concept. Alex and Brett are not editing the real questions of girls or the real opinions of guys -- they're just giving them to you straight without commentary. So you may or may not be able to relate to the statements made or the majority opinions in response to certain statements. That's okay. Alex and Brett aren't telling you what to think. But they are asking you to think for yourself and prayerfully consider before God how your life and actions effect other people around you. And that's what a thoughtful perusal of The Modesty Survey should lead you to do -- evaluate your own heart and life.

I wish we didn't need this survey. I wish that fathers and brothers in local churches could serve their daughters and sisters and that each home could provide loving direction on its own. But obviously that's not possible for everyone. And for those who lack that kind of godly counsel and input this Survey is a useful tool. As you review it, don't forget to pray for your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Ask that God would help others around the world to honor Him and love each other sincerely. And remember that ultimately the most important survey is the Survey of One -- what God thinks of your heart, motivations and actions. I pray that this survey will remind you that regardless of what others think, pleasing Him in all you do is your highest priority."

From Nancy Leigh DeMoss, author, Revive Our Hearts radio host:
"As women, clothing and appearance are some of the most powerful and important means we have of sending a message about our hearts and our values. The Modesty Survey educates and equips Christian women to avoid sending a mixed message through their clothing, and serves as a much-needed window into the male mind."

From Shannon Ethridge, best-selling author, Every Woman's Battle series:
"It's an indisputable spiritual law: A godly girl will attract godly guys, and a worldly girl will attract worldly guys. Ladies, if you want to attract a healthy, God-glorifying relationship with a decent, respectable guy who will love, honor, and cherish you like crazy, then let The Modesty Survey serve as your wake up call on how to attract your prince... without kissing a lot of toads!"