Christian Modesty​—Truly Wise!

14. Why is modesty so fitting in our relationship with Jehovah God?

¹⁴ The displaying of Christian modesty truly is the course of wisdom. First of all, it results in good relations with Jehovah. In fact, God requires that we be modest in walking with him. (Micah 6:8) Moreover, modesty is most becoming on our part when we think of the great gap between us and our all-powerful and eternal Maker. Why, to him the nations are like the film of dust on the scales and like a mere drop falling from a bucket! (Isaiah 40:15) Modesty will cause us to fear to displease Jehovah God, and that surely is “the beginning of wisdom.”​—Psalm 111:10.

15. What help can modesty be to a Christian brother?

¹⁵ Modesty also promotes good relations with our fellow witnesses of Jehovah. It will keep a Christian brother from pushing himself forward as regards privileges of service. Modesty will keep him aware of his limitations, his lack of knowledge and experience in certain respects as compared with others. It will also make him concerned about improving his spiritual qualifications rather than with having the office of ministerial servant or elder. If he continues to make full use of every opportunity to increase in knowledge and to be of help to his fellow believers, it may well come as a surprise to him when he is recommended and appointed to a position of responsibility in the congregation. That has actually been the case in more than one instance.

16. Why is displaying modesty the course of wisdom on the part of Christian women?

¹⁶ Modesty is also the course of wisdom for the sisters in the congregation. This is true in more than the matter of chasteness, important as that is. (1 Timothy 2:9, 10; Titus 2:3-5) Being aware of her limitations and the role assigned to her in the congregation, the Christian woman who is wise will modestly control her speech. She will keep from being overly talkative and from expressing criticism of the way the appointed elders are handling matters.​—Compare Jude 8, 9, 16.

17, 18. (a) Why should youths display modesty toward their parents? (b) What Scriptural example is here given to show that it is wise to heed the counsel of older people?

¹⁷ Similarly, modesty on the part of youths is proof of wisdom. Youths endear themselves to others when they conduct themselves modestly. God’s Word rightly commands that they honor their father and mother and obey them in “everything.” (Colossians 3:20; Ephesians 6:1-3) It takes modesty to do that and not to think that youths are wiser than their parents. And do you not owe your parents a debt of gratitude? They brought you into the world. From that time until the present, your parents have provided you with food, clothing, shelter, education, recreation and spiritual instruction. Therefore, would not respect itself move you to manifest modesty toward them?

¹⁸ Modestly taking your parents into your confidence and accepting their counsel is the course of wisdom. By reason of their experience, they surely have more wisdom than you do. The world is filled with turmoil, not because of a lack of knowledge but due to a lack of sound wisdom. “They have rejected the very word of Jehovah, and what wisdom do they have?” (Jeremiah 8:9) Even in such a personal matter as picking your partner for life, you will be wise if you modestly give due regard to your parents’ judgment, since they love you and have your best interest at heart. They can give you far better advice than can your peers. True, it may not be as flattering, but it will be better for you. The Bible reveals that King Rehoboam of ancient Israel lost most of his kingdom because of his lack of modesty. He rejected the counsel of the older men who had been his father’s counselors and chose to follow the flattering counsel of his peers, the young men that had grown up with him. They were as inexperienced and shortsighted as he himself was.​—1 Kings 12:1-24.

19. How can modesty serve us well in our witnessing activity?

¹⁹ Christian modesty will also serve us well when we are witnessing about Jehovah God’s name and Kingdom, whether formally or informally. If we were to speak with great self-assurance, we might impress some listeners but repel many others. At all times, we should call attention to Jehovah God and his Word, not to ourselves. Very much to the point here is this advice: “Sanctify the Christ as Lord in your hearts, always ready to make a defense before everyone that demands of you a reason for the hope in you, but doing so together with a mild temper and deep respect.” (1 Peter 3:15) Modesty will make it easier to display a mild temper and to show deep respect.

20. (a) So far, what have we learned about modesty and the lack of it? (b) What question remains?

²⁰ Clearly, from the foregoing we can see what great harm has come to mankind due to a lack of modesty. We have also seen that modesty unquestionably is the course of wisdom. These points should help us to cultivate modesty. But what further aid can we find in cultivating Christian modesty?

Cultivating Christian Modesty

1. What expressions show that some men of the world have appreciated the value of modesty?

MODESTY is a virtue that once was appreciated by the wise men of this world. Thus we are told: “A modest person seldom fails to gain the good will of those he converses with, because nobody envies a man who does not appear to be pleased with himself.” And it has been said: “Modesty is a shining light; it prepares the mind to receive knowledge, and the heart for truth.” A person lacking modesty is not likely to have an open mind.

2. How have certain noted men displayed modesty?

² Then again, some men noted for their discoveries have displayed modesty. Thus Albert Einstein once stated that “a spirit is manifest in the laws of the Universe​—a spirit vastly superior to that of man, and one in the face of which we with our modest powers must feel humble.” And Sir Isaac Newton, considered by many to be the foremost scientist of all time, once remarked: “If I have seen farther than others, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” Evidently of a similar frame of mind are some surgeons who have operated on Jehovah’s Witnesses. After performing very difficult operations successfully without blood transfusions, they have told their Witness patients that the credit goes to God, not to the surgeons themselves.

Examples of Modesty

3. (a) What will help us to cultivate modesty? (b) What can be said about Moses and modesty?

³ What will aid us in cultivating the very desirable, yes, very necessary quality of modesty? Obviously, applying all that has been said in the two previous articles on presumptuousness and modesty will help us to cultivate modesty. Another aid in cultivating modesty is to consider how mightily Jehovah used his modest servants. How could God use men who sought praise and called attention to themselves instead of to their Maker! Just once Moses did this​—under great stress and provocation, it is true. Yet, how he paid for that! But that Moses was truly modest can be seen by his initial diffidence about going to Pharaoh. Moreover, the Scriptures say that “Moses was by far the meekest of all the men who were upon the surface of the ground.”​—Numbers 12:3; Exodus 4:10-17.

4. How did Elihu and Joseph show due modesty?

⁴ Another fine example of modesty was young Elihu. He patiently waited until his elders, Job and his three companions, had their say before he spoke. Elihu did not have an air of superiority but directed all praise to his Maker. (Job 32:4-11, 21, 22; 36:9) Joseph, the son of the patriarch Jacob, also showed due modesty when brought before mighty Pharaoh and asked if he could interpret that monarch’s dream. Joseph gave Jehovah the credit for interpreting dreams.​—Genesis 40:8; compare Daniel 2:26-30.

5. Why was Gideon’s modesty important to Jehovah God?

⁵ Consider, too, the case of Gideon. When receiving his commission, he modestly said that his clan was the least in Manasseh and he himself was the smallest in his father’s house. So Gideon was just the one for Jehovah to use in vanquishing the Midianites because God was determined to get the credit for the victory. Only a truly modest man could have served properly in that situation.​—Judges 6:14-16; 7:2-7.

6. (a) Why was Jehovah pleased with young King Solomon’s request? (b) What other young servant of Jehovah manifested fitting modesty, and in what regard? (c) How may the attitude of young Elihu, Solomon and Jeremiah affect relatively youthful or less experienced witnesses of Jehovah?

⁶ Young Solomon, when first made king, likewise displayed modesty. Upon being asked by God in a dream what he would like to have, Solomon modestly replied: “I am but a little boy. . . . You must give to your servant an obedient heart to judge your people, to discern between good and bad; for who is able to judge this difficult people of yours?” Jehovah was so well pleased with Solomon’s modesty that He gave him not only wisdom but also great riches and glory. (1 Kings 3:4-14) Due to Solomon’s modesty, Jehovah made him the wisest of all human rulers. Jeremiah displayed similar modesty in view of his youthfulness when called to be Jehovah’s prophet. (Jeremiah 1:6-8) Are you a comparatively young or inexperienced witness of Jehovah? If so, surely you will prove yourself wise if you, like young Elihu, Solomon and Jeremiah, display due modesty.

7. How do Paul’s words at 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 provide a fine example of modesty for Kingdom proclaimers?

⁷ Noteworthy, too, was the modesty of the apostle Paul. Although he had been a highly educated Pharisee and later was used mightily by Jehovah God, Paul did not flaunt his advantages. As he himself said: “So I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come with an extravagance of speech or of wisdom declaring the sacred secret of God to you. For I decided not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ, and him impaled. And I came to you in weakness and in fear and with much trembling; and my speech and what I preached were not with persuasive words of wisdom but with a demonstration of spirit and power, that your faith might be, not in men’s wisdom, but in God’s power.” (1 Corinthians 2:1-5) Some of Jehovah’s Witnesses have come from among the highly educated. But, like Paul, they display modesty in declaring the good news, wisely following the apostle’s fine example.

8. How did Jesus provide the finest and greatest example of modesty?

⁸ The greatest and finest example of modesty, of course, is none other than Jesus Christ. What a contrast there is between the Son of God and the one who became Satan the Devil! Never has Christ immodestly sought equality with Jehovah God. (Matthew 4:8-10; Philippians 2:5-8) Rather, Jesus is completely content to be his Father’s assistant and spokesman. (Proverbs 8:30; John 1:1) While on earth he repeatedly spoke of his subordination to God. (John 5:19, 30; 7:28; 8:28, 42) He disclaimed personal credit, directing attention to Jehovah. (Mark 10:18) And at the time of Jesus’ greatest testing, his attitude was: “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me. Yet, not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39) Unquestionably, Jesus set us a fine example in modesty. Surely, then, all of God’s spirit creatures and all humans should be modest.