A while ago Morgan of the Morgan and Paul Show (probably) posted a picture of her in leggings with a sticker or whatever over her booty, which is probably why I took this screenshot. I likely intended to blog about this topic then but clearly that never happened, and I don’t particularly feel like scouring the web for whatever she posted initially as I attempt to restart my whole “blogging at least once a week” nonsense.

So instead of a.) not posting the picture b.) taking the picture in loose-fitting pants or a dress c.)reading the Bible and realizing the female figure isn’t inherently sexual, or even d.) taking a front picture, Morgan chose to post a picture she views as inherently “immodest” and then draw attention to the fact that she’s immodestly dressed by blocking out her butt.

Performative modesty is at the heart of this post, which is really not about Morgan but about performative modesty in general.

If Morgan really believed leggings or tight-fitting jeans were inappropriate, she wouldn’t wear them. Like why go through the trouble and discomfort of wearing something you inherently view as immodest when you could literally just wear something modest? The Bible says “[do] nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” Posting a picture with her butt covered up (which inadvertently draws more attention to it) is an attempt at appearing modest without actually being modest (to be clear, leggings are not immodest but Morgan clearly thinks they are). It’s the opposite of humility. Again, someone who truly felt leggings were immodest would just not wear them, or at the very least not post pictures in them.

There’s nothing wrong with modest clothing, nor is there anything wrong with promoting modesty on a public platform. The Bible says, (1 Timothy 2:9-10) “[l]ikewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.”

However, performative modesty isn’t genuine. It’s attention-seeking and born from a desire to to have “a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof…” True modesty is born out of humility; it’s a desire to let yourself decrease so that others may focus on God.

After all, as Christians we are told to do all for the glory of God, not all for the glory of Instagram. Maybe Morgan should pick up her Bible and realize that true modesty isn’t about what you wear, but it’s a posture of the heart. One that desires to give all glory and attention to God.

Or she could just, ya know, not post pictures of her butt on social media.