modesty

Despite all my coverage of lust in the past few entries, I haven't stated much about modesty. Not plainly, at any rate. So here goes.

• Mental dismissal of lust is a task for every onlooker. Regardless of (im)modesty, the final responsibility falls on the tempted. Nobody else can defeat the thoughts. 
• Furthermore, modesty only allows a limited form of prevention. Modesty isn't an absolute barrier to lust. A fleshly person could lust for a person in modest clothing. Contrarily, a self-controlled person could cast out lust when immodest people are around.
• Nevertheless, beyond any doubt, modesty is helpful. In particular, a community of Christians should include the expectation that everyone dresses in ways that encourage holy thinking. Of course, the same Christians should maintain the same standards whenever they associate with non-Christians, too. Non-Christians who haven't yet learned to sift their thoughts need modesty more, not less!
• Context matters. Some activities require specialized clothing. It seems to me that Christians aren't forbidden from these activities, but whenever possible they can seek to strike a careful balance between modesty and practicality. Naturally, participation in a specific activity doesn't relax restriction against thoughts that are contrary to the will of God. Lust never should be an integral part of any activity; if it is, then perhaps Christians should abstain from that activity. If, under honest examination, a Christian admits that lust is part of the appeal of an activity, then that activity is a temptation to sin, be it only "partial".