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 Israel, what did He tell them to take off their bodies?

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 Israel did when they departed from God?

Hosea 2:13

Note: One of the first signs of persons having spiritual problems is a change in their dress!

5. In Isaiah 3:16, what did the Lord call the daughters of Zion?

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 Babylon and Egypt where worship of the sun, moon, and stars was widespread. It is evident from the Scriptures that God disapproves of ornaments and jewelry as items of dress for His people.

7. Isaiah 4 continues this same thought about the haughty women of Zion. What did the Lord say he was going to wash from the women of Zion?

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 Zion did in Biblical times.

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 Australia who were beginning to wear the wedding ring with the excuse that it would increase their influence with the Australians):

"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 America. But if someone feels very strongly about this, the Adventist church does not condemn those who can wear their wedding ring outside of church in "good conscience". A godly woman does not need a circle of gold around her finger to let others know that she is married and spoken for; her deportment is enough. Neither will the wearing of a ring stop someone who is not principled from sinning. We are clearly told that "not one penny should be spent" to purchase a wedding ring. The use of wedding rings dates back to ancient pagan sun worship. It was symbolic in their ancient pagan fertility rites. They were also sacred sun worship symbols in Egypt. (See Encyclopedia Britannica, Vol. VIII, Micropedia, page 590). It is sad that Christians in Rome picked up this pagan custom and brought it into the sacred wedding service.

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 Israel?

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: _____________________________