1 Timothy 2:9-10 I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. (NIV)
When I was a child, I grew up in a religion that taught that the wearing of cosmetics and jewelry was wrong. You wouldn't even think of wearing pants to church other than for choir practice. Even then, that was crossing a fine line. I can recall giving the older ladies in the church plenty to talk about when I came through the door. As a young 20 something year-old woman, I enjoyed my above knee fashions. I can still recall the older ladies having their say as to what I had on. The more they talked, the more determined I was to give them a more intense topic for the following week. Don't even mention jewelry. The more sermons the pastor preached against it, the larger my hoops became. Yes, I was rebellious, but it was more to it than that.
I looked as these critics as no more than mere hypocrites. The same ones who would look at me with scorn because of my jewelry, would be the same ones with diamond watches, expensive broaches, adorned hair, and top of the line cuff links and necktie chains. Wouldn't this still be classified as jewelry? Let's not even mention cosmetics. It was the ultimate sin to wear red lipstick, but as long as you were brown and wore brown, it was ok. So my question was, "Is Jesus at Heaven's gate with a red lipstick line that goes to hell and a brown lipstick line that goes to heaven? Really?
Then there was this thing about pants. Women were not supposed to wear pants in church.
What male chauvinist came up with that? Ok, there is the scriptu in the Bible that tells women to not wear men's clothing. The last time I checked, males and females wore robes in Jesus' day. Therefore, pants wasn't even invented. Now, if you are a woman who is trying to pass as a man, or a man who cross dresses...that scripture may apply to you. Many people have expressed concern with regards to Tyler Perry's potrayal of the "Madea" character in relation to this text. However, he is portraying a role. When he comes out of character, he looks and acts all male. Despite that, some do not agree that he should do it at all. All I can say is that God must be the One who blessed him, although others may find that debatable and say the devil blesses too. Only God knows....
Now what about males and females who like to dress sexy? Is there something wrong with wanting to keep and maintain your sex appeal even if you are a Christian? Does being a Christian mean that you must wear moomoos and an 1880's Puritan attire? Should men wear baggy shirts and pants to keep wondering eyes from wondering and women wear long and lose dresses for the sake of covering curves and skin? Where do you draw the line and what can be considered as overkill?
Just recently, a gospel artist made a lot of waves due to an outfit that she wore on her cd cover. Some thought that it was unbecoming of a gospel artist, while others thought that it was okay. I believe that the most important question when dressing is, "What is your intention?" Are you trying to promote sex, lure someone out of lust, or attract attention. Maybe you are just wanting to feel your best with no strings attached and it is just an outfit you feel good in. I cannot comment as to that particular gospel artist's intentions, but maybe this will help. Whenever you are dressing, is what you have on in good taste as a representative of Christ? Would you be proud of your attire if the King of kings walked into your space in the flesh? Is your way of dress leaving something to the imagination? Does what you wear attract lust more than a love for God? Does what you have on leave more room for questions than answers when it comes to your Christian walk? There is not a certain attire that will have you hellbound, but your intentions do make the difference. When in doubt, ask God. If He is good with it, then so can you. However, if you are in question, maybe that outfit should stay on the hanger. Take care and God bless!
When I was a child, I grew up in a religion that taught that the wearing of cosmetics and jewelry was wrong. You wouldn't even think of wearing pants to church other than for choir practice. Even then, that was crossing a fine line. I can recall giving the older ladies in the church plenty to talk about when I came through the door. As a young 20 something year-old woman, I enjoyed my above knee fashions. I can still recall the older ladies having their say as to what I had on. The more they talked, the more determined I was to give them a more intense topic for the following week. Don't even mention jewelry. The more sermons the pastor preached against it, the larger my hoops became. Yes, I was rebellious, but it was more to it than that.
I looked as these critics as no more than mere hypocrites. The same ones who would look at me with scorn because of my jewelry, would be the same ones with diamond watches, expensive broaches, adorned hair, and top of the line cuff links and necktie chains. Wouldn't this still be classified as jewelry? Let's not even mention cosmetics. It was the ultimate sin to wear red lipstick, but as long as you were brown and wore brown, it was ok. So my question was, "Is Jesus at Heaven's gate with a red lipstick line that goes to hell and a brown lipstick line that goes to heaven? Really?
Then there was this thing about pants. Women were not supposed to wear pants in church.
What male chauvinist came up with that? Ok, there is the scriptu in the Bible that tells women to not wear men's clothing. The last time I checked, males and females wore robes in Jesus' day. Therefore, pants wasn't even invented. Now, if you are a woman who is trying to pass as a man, or a man who cross dresses...that scripture may apply to you. Many people have expressed concern with regards to Tyler Perry's potrayal of the "Madea" character in relation to this text. However, he is portraying a role. When he comes out of character, he looks and acts all male. Despite that, some do not agree that he should do it at all. All I can say is that God must be the One who blessed him, although others may find that debatable and say the devil blesses too. Only God knows....
Now what about males and females who like to dress sexy? Is there something wrong with wanting to keep and maintain your sex appeal even if you are a Christian? Does being a Christian mean that you must wear moomoos and an 1880's Puritan attire? Should men wear baggy shirts and pants to keep wondering eyes from wondering and women wear long and lose dresses for the sake of covering curves and skin? Where do you draw the line and what can be considered as overkill?
Just recently, a gospel artist made a lot of waves due to an outfit that she wore on her cd cover. Some thought that it was unbecoming of a gospel artist, while others thought that it was okay. I believe that the most important question when dressing is, "What is your intention?" Are you trying to promote sex, lure someone out of lust, or attract attention. Maybe you are just wanting to feel your best with no strings attached and it is just an outfit you feel good in. I cannot comment as to that particular gospel artist's intentions, but maybe this will help. Whenever you are dressing, is what you have on in good taste as a representative of Christ? Would you be proud of your attire if the King of kings walked into your space in the flesh? Is your way of dress leaving something to the imagination? Does what you wear attract lust more than a love for God? Does what you have on leave more room for questions than answers when it comes to your Christian walk? There is not a certain attire that will have you hellbound, but your intentions do make the difference. When in doubt, ask God. If He is good with it, then so can you. However, if you are in question, maybe that outfit should stay on the hanger. Take care and God bless!
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