“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
In order for us to understand the Word of God we need to be in tune to the voice of the Holy Spirit so that we can discern His voice and hear Him speak. When we do this we are able to read the Bible and rightly divide it as it pertains to us as New Covenant believers in Jesus Christ. It also enables us to read passages of Scripture and learn from them without taking them out of context and building an entire doctrine out of them based on our personal limited understanding.
Nothing written within the pages of the Bible is worthless or unnecessary but much of what is written in the Bible was written to a specific people who were dealing with specific problems in their communities. Trying to take the exact instructions literally and then trying to apply them to our lives today is not only foolish, it is futile! Certain writings need to be read, prayed about, and then approached in a spirit of submission to the Holy Spirit so that He is able to teach us truth. The clothing instructions of the Bible are a prime example of this.
Look at what Paul writes to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 11:48 and ask yourself if this is what you see taking place in your home or church each week. “Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved. For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. But if it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. For man is not from woman, but woman from man.” 1 Corinthians 11:4-8
From reading this I guess I need to run out and buy head coverings because I pray and prophesy constantly. Can you see the absurdity in this kind of thinking? Paul was addressing a specific people because he was dealing with a certain problem that existed in the Corinthian Church. To take this passage literally would mean that every Christian woman needs to wear head dresses when they pray or prophesy. That isn’t going to happen but why? Because no one has decided to take this passage literally and make a doctrine out of it yet. But I am sure that it is just a matter of time before someone does if they can see that it will financially profit them to do so.
Now let’s look at another passage of Scripture that addresses women’s attire. In 1 Timothy 2:8-10 Paul says, “I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.” This is a Scripture that many denominations have taken literally and made a doctrine that says women cannot wear jewelry and require them to wear simple clothing that doesn’t give the appearance of wealth.
But again Paul was dealing with a specific people who were dealing with a specific problem. When reading this passage of Scripture there are principles we can apply to our own lives without taking it out of context and building a standard of holiness out of it for women. Principle one: Women dress yourselves in a way that does not bring attention to your body that could make a man or another woman stumble in the area of lust. If what you wear causes someone to stumble in the area of lust you are causing unnecessary trouble in someone else’s life. It is not rocket science! Just watch the show “What Not To Wear” and figure out what clothing compliments your body type. Principle number two: Wear jewelry that compliments the outfit! As women we know when we see a woman who is wearing a ridiculous amount of jewelry or the wrong kind of jewelry for her outfit. It is not flattering so all you have to do is learn what jewelry goes with your outfit. It is that simple. But don’t discount wearing jewelry just because some man or woman has established a manmade law that says wearing jewelry is bad. Be a sheep but follow the voice of your real Sheppard, Jesus Christ! He has built heaven out of fine jewels and what is endorsed by Him should be accepted by us.
In 1 Peter 3:3-4 Peter writes, “Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.” Again this is a really simple verse to understand if you allow the Holy Spirit to teach you truth. Let your beauty come from the inside first before you express it on the outside. A woman of strong character who has a solid identity in Christ instinctually knows why she is wearing what she is wearing and she only wears clothing and jewelry that compliment her body type or her outfit. She doesn’t wear clothing or jewelry as a way to manipulate men and women into lusting after her. She isn’t trying to attract the lustful eye! People are drawn to her because they sense the Spirit of the living God inside of her!
When it comes to dress for men or women and when it comes to jewelry the Holy Spirit will teach you truth as you seek Him wholeheartedly. He won’t ever leave you or forsake you in anything you desire to be taught. He is faithful. As far as what is appropriate dress for church don’t major on the minors! I know many women who were once dancers or prostitutes and many men who were bikers or hard core rockers who went to a Christ centered church that didn’t discriminate against them for how they were dressed and guess what? Over the years they changed the way they dressed. Not because someone told them they had to but because the more time they spent with King Jesus the more like royalty they felt and wanted to dress like royalty! Believe me when Jesus prompts a person to change by His Spirit He produces fruit that will last. Behavior modification dictated by man doesn’t hold a candle to life transformation prompted by God. I want to encourage you today to allow the Holy Spirit to teach you truth! I will leave you with a word from Jesus so you will know that as you ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom you can be assured that He will answer you. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8)
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