The Christian's Dress and Adornment
"Jesus Christ... gave himself for
us, that he might... purify for himself his own special people, zealous for
good works" Titus
2:13,14. When we really love Jesus, we will be zealous to glorify him in
the way we live. This involves such practical matters as eating, dressing,
giving, how we spend our time, relating to family members, and witnessing.
These things will not save us; but if Jesus is abiding in our hearts, we will
be growing more and more like him every day. As always, let us go to the
Scriptures.
HOW CHRISTIANS DRESS
1. Is
the Lord interested in how clean we keep ourselves and our clothing?
Exodus
l9:10
Note: The first impulse one has as one gets
closer to the Lord is to be clean, both physically and spiritually. Read also Hebrews
10:22
2. When
the Lord was about to come close to the children of
Exodus 33:5-6
Note: Ellen G. White, whom we studied about in
an earlier lesson, gave this counsel concerning jewelry and ornaments: "Self-denial
in dress is a part of our Christian duty, to dress plainly,
abstaining from display of jewelry and ornaments of every kind is in
keeping with our faith." Selected Messages, Volume 3, page 245
3. What
is the only kind of ornament that is pleasing to God?
I Peter
3:1-5
Note: The text says wives should submit to
their husbands by modesty in conduct, conversation, and dress. God made men and
women equal, but in the home He made the wife to be submissive to her husband's
godly affections (not the world's). Women are
not to seek the world's attraction by wearing outward ornamentation. Submission
was to help create peace and happiness for wives, but in sin, men have often
exploited their wives rather than loving them and encouraging them to reach
their godly potential. See Ephesians 5:22,25-28
4. What
is one of the first things the women of
Hosea
2:13
Note: One of the first signs of persons having
spiritual problems is a change in their dress!
5. In Isaiah
Note: This indicates that they were proud and
conceited.
6. What
were some of the things the Lord said He would take away from these "haughty" women?
Isaiah
3:18-23
Note: The Lord said that they wore "round
tires like the moon," and they wore "glass" to reflect the sun's
rays (similar to today's "crystal" ornamentation). Much of jewelry
finds its origins in ancient
7. Isaiah 4 continues this same thought
about the haughty women of
Isaiah
4:4
Note: He was calling the things He just
mentioned- rings, necklaces, ankle bracelets, pins, etc., FILTH. By the way, the same condemnation would apply
to men who are wearing jewelry today almost as much as the haughty daughters of
8. When
Jesus gave John a vision of the "great harlot" (which represents the
fallen church), he painted a picture for John of what he thought a wicked woman
would look like. What was this "woman" drawn by Jesus to represent the
false church wearing?
Revelation
17:1-4
Note: This vision given John by Jesus of a vile
woman gives good indication as to how the Lord feels about body jewelry and
adornment! Malachi 3:6 tells us that the Lord does not change. We have
no reason to believe that He is pleased with fashions and adornments that
displeased him in the past. Many times
in Scripture, when the Lord describes wicked women, he mentions the fact that
they are "decked" out with jewelry.
What does this indicate, but that the practice of adorning the body is
not pleasing to the Lord?
9. What
instructions did Paul give concerning dress when he wrote to Timothy?
I Timothy 2:9-10
Note: It is clear that "gold" and
"pearls" are not for godly men and women to wear. One item of jewelry that people most often
ask about is the wedding ring. The
wearing of wedding rings is discouraged, especially in church, because it sets
a wrong example for others, especially young children. They see the wedding ring,
and they say, "Why can't I then wear my 'friendship ring' or my 'high
school ring'?" etc. In the book Testimonies to Ministers, page 161, Ellen
White makes the following statement on the practice of wearing a wedding ring
(it was written to American missionaries in
"I feel deeply over this leavening process which seems
to be going on among us, in the conformity to custom and fashion. not one penny should be spent for the circle of gold to
testify that we are married. In countries where the custom is imperative, we
have no burden to condemn those who have their marriage ring; let them wear it
if they can do so conscientiously: but let not our missionaries feel that the
wearing of the ring will increase their influence one jot or tittle."
Wearing a wedding ring is called a "leavening
process" that the prophet "felt deeply over." We are not to conform to worldly fashion or
custom. Ellen White used the term
"imperative" for some countries where this custom of wearing the
wedding ring is almost an unspoken law.
But this is not the case in
10. What does the Bible say Jezebel, that wicked woman who was God's enemy,
did?
2 Kings 9:30
Note: The use of colorful cosmetics (those that
give an unnatural color to the eyes, mouth, or face) is displeasing to
God. The cosmetic industry dictates what
"beauty" is, and the standards they set are based on the almighty
dollar and not on Almighty God's Word.
Ellen White commenting on the use of colorful cosmetics wrote this:
"Ladies may resort to cosmetics to restore the tint of
the complexion, but they cannot thus bring back the glow of healthful feelings
to the heart. That which darkens and makes dingy the skin also clouds the
spirit and destroys cheerfulness and peace of mind. " Healthful
Living, page 191
The
best way to have good complexion is to follow the laws of health and get fresh
air and exercise. This, along with a healthful diet, water and rest will do
what no cosmetics can! The mask on the face affects the way you feel during the
day!
11. If we love the Lord, what kind of things will we do?
I John 3:22
Note: If we are not absolutely sure that
a certain habit, or practice of ours, or our dress, is wrong, we should give
God the benefit of the doubt. We should say, "Lord, I am not sure about
this, but if there is any chance that it is wrong or would affect my testimony
with others, I will discontinue it at once, because I want to do what is
right" This kind of attitude will always keep us in the right path.
12. What was jewelry associated with in the days of ancient
Genesis 35:1-4, especially verse 4
Note: This verse makes it clear that
"earrings" are associated with pagan worship and idols. Jacob buried
the jewelry along with the household idols before meeting with the Lord.
13. Because everybody is doing something, does this mean that we must too?
Exodus 23:2
14. What good use did the people make of their jewelry in Exodus 35:22?
Note: This is still a good thing to do with
jewelry. Sell it and use the money to build up God's church.
15. What kind of garment is to clothe God's people?
Revelation 19:8
Note: Our outer garments of simplicity and
modesty should reveal that we are wearing the inner garments of Christ's
character. The "fine linen" garment of Revelation, which all the
saved must wear, is "the righteousness of Christ, His own unblemished character, that through faith is imparted to all who receive
Him." Christ's Object Lessons, page 310. Read also Matthew
22:11-13, Job 29:14 and Isaiah 52:1
16. Who gives us this garment of Christ's
righteousness?
Zechariah
3:2-S
17. What will eventually become of the world's
vain adornments?
I John 2:15-17
James 4:4
18. What advice did Paul give in regard to
matters as important as even the Sabbath?
Note: We are not to judge anyone. We all have the same fallen nature; it's only
by God's grace that we are redeemed, changed into righteous people. Despising others is the worse sin, for we
cannot be set right when we think we're better than others or judge them! The Lord is the only one
who has a right to judge, yet he passes judgment on no one; what right do we
have to judge our brother? The Holy
Spirit is the one who will convict others; we need to worry about ourselves!
CONCLUSION
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of
God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, wholly acceptable
unto God, which is your reasonable service. But be not conformed unto this
world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God." Romans 12:1,2
God uses clothing to represent our
characters; and in reality, the outer covering often reveals what is inside.
God calls for every Christian to be renewed, both within and without. he wants us to dress tastefully and becomingly, in a manner
that will attract attention to Jesus instead of to ourselves. External
adornments that encourage pride God forbids—his perfect character is the only
adornment the true Christian needs. And that adornment will be more attractive
to the regenerate heart that external glitter! Is it your desire to reflect
Jesus in your manner of dress?
My response
to Christ is: _____________________________