HOW SHOULD WE DRESS?

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“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety . . . But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works”
(1 Timothy 2:9, 10).

If you have just read the above Scripture, you may wonder what it is talking about. The King James version uses words that we have never heard of today. They sound as though they come from another world. Well, perhaps they are from a different world in which we are living today. However, don’t get too dismayed. Come with me and let’s find out what they really mean.

I believe the Bible is our guideline for every aspect of life, even for what we wear. This Scripture gives us three guidelines:

1. WE ARE TO ADORN OURSELVES MODESTLY

This word, kosmios, means to act in an orderly manner and behave well. Did you know that this word is only used one other time in the Bible? This time it refers to the character of a man who aspires to be an elder (1 Timothy 3:2) and is translated “good behavior.” A woman who dresses modestly understands what is right and doesn’t go beyond her conscience.

2. WE ARE TO ADORN OURSELVES REVERENTLY

The word in the King James version is “shamefacedness.” No one uses this word today, so we better find out what it really means. The Greek word is aidos and means “downcast eyes, bashfulness, modesty, reverence.” Help! Does anyone have this attitude today?

One commentary says the word should be translated as “shamefastness.” In other words, we stand fast against bringing any shame or dishonor to God, to our husband, to our womanly nature, or to the people of God. Once again, this word is used only one other time in the Bible where it relates to both men and women. It is found in Hebrews 5:9 where it tells us to “serve God acceptably with reverence (aidos) and godly fear.” This is meant to be the behavior of both men and women.

The context of 1 Timothy 2:9 is in the gathering together of the saints. It’s not talking about the beach or the bedroom. It is talking about meeting with the people of God. We don’t wear clothes to church or a prayer meeting that we would wear to the beach or out hiking. We must wear what is appropriate.

I love the NLT translation: “Wear decent and appropriate clothing.”

The NET says: “suitable apparel” and the ESV says: “respectable apparel.”

God’s Word translation says: “I want women to show their beauty by dressing in appropriate clothes that are modest and respectable.”

And it comes back to us mothers. What are we teaching our children and our young people? What do we let them wear to church? Why do we let them wear jeans (and even those ugly ones with holes in them) to church? I see coming to church in shorts! Help! We are going to the house of God, not the beach! We must show reverence!

Robert Spinney, professor at Patrick Henry College in Virginia says that many men ask the question: “Why can’t we have at least one haven from tight clothing, cleavage, bare shoulders, and short skirts? Why can’t people be sure to dress modestly when they attend church meetings? I expect to be tempted by scandalous clothing when I go to a college campus, but God’s people shouldn’t have to face that kind of temptation at church services. Can’t Christians be more considerate of others?”

3. WE ARE TO ADORN OURSELVES WITH SELF CONTROL

The King James Version uses another old word, sobriety. It is the Greek word sophrosune and means:

soundness of mind, self-control, soberness,

habitual self-government with its constant reign on all the passions and desires,

the well-balanced state of mind arising from habitual self-restraint,

safe-and-sound mindedness, and

sensibleness and sound judgment.

A sound godly mind knows that cleavage, bare shoulders, short skirts, and showing too much of the body is not appropriate clothing for public worship or even outside the home.

Let’s walk in the fear of God, serving Him and the body of Christ with reverence. This is how we serve God ACCEPTABLY.

PRAYER:

Dear Father, please forgive me for wearing that which is dishonoring to You. You were the first clothes designer and You made clothes to cover the body. You want us to cover our flesh, not to uncover. Please help me to faithful to teach my children how You want them to dress rather than how the world wants them to dress. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:

WELCOME TO THE LAND OF MORE AND MORE, Part 11

“Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
To him be glory both now and forever. Amen”
(2 Peter 3:18).

This is our last post on the MORE AND MORE kingdom today. I trust that you have been learning to live a MORE AND MORE lifestyle as we have been going through these Scriptures.

MORE WAITING ON GOD

Psalm 130:5, 6: “I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord MORE THAN they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.”

The late-night watch is the hardest watch. It is the hardest to keep awake and the watchmen are often longing for the morning. 

Other translations use the word “yearn” (NET) and “long” (NLT). Are you yearning for the Lord more and more? Do you yearn for Him “more than sentries yearn for the dawn”?

MORE WISDOM

Ecclesiastes 7:19: “Wisdom strengtheneth the wise MORE THAN ten mighty men which are in the city.”

Proverbs 4:7-9 says: “Wisdom is the principal thing: therefore get wisdom; and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.”

We sure need MORE AND MORE wisdom each day, don’t we? Especially as we are parenting our children.

And what is the testimony of the Proverbs 31 woman? “She openeth her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness.”

MORE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD

Hosea 6:6: “For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice: and the knowledge of God MORE THAN burnt offerings.”

God does not want us to only know about Hin. We wants us to pursue Him, to seek after Him, and to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).

We must GROW in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior. Are you growing? Are you getting to know Him more and more? The more we get to know Him, the more we can trust Him. Often people cannot fully put their trust in God because they don’t know Him. They don’t know He is the God who can be trusted. He is the faithful God. He is the unchanging God. His word is true from the beginning and from the beginning His word is true. Heaven and earth shall pass away before His word will pass away.

We have a load of people staying with us for the July 4 week celebrations. And therefore there were a lot of young people with us this morning for family devotions. I was telling them how when I was young, we were exhorted constantly from the pulpit to be faithful to have a Quiet Time each day. A Quiet Time consists of finding a time and a place to get away with God to read His Word and pray. Therefore, it became a habit of my life when I was young and to which I continue to keep today.

To grow physically, we must eat each day. To grow spiritually and in the knowledge of God, we must also eat from His word each day. Not haphazardly, but consistently and continually. Jesus said, “If ye CONTINUE in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed” (John 8:312).

We must GROW TO KNOW and we only grow by feeding upon His Word.

We leave this series with this final point.

MORE AND MORE AT HOME

Ephesians 3:17 (TLB): "And I pray that Christ will be MORE AND MORE at home in your hearts, living within you as you trust him. May your roots go down deep into the well of God's

This is the question. Will we let Christ possess more and more of our lives? Every part. Not holding anything back. Will we let Him possess more and more of our homes, so every square inch is filled with His glory and His presence? Amen and amen.

PRAYER:

“Dear Father, I thank you again that I am so blessed to belong to Your MORE AND MORE kingdom. I want to be filled more and more with our Holy Spirit. I want my mind and heart to be filled more and more with Your Word. I don’t want to live a shallow life but to live in the more and more of Your kingdom life. Amen,

AFFIRMATION:

WELCOME TO THE LAND OF MORE AND MORE, Part 10

“Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee:
he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved”
(Psalm 55:22).

MORE REIGNING IN LIFE

Romans 5:17: “For if by one man’s offense death reigned by one; MUCH MORE they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall REIGN IN LIFE by one, Jesus Christ.”

What a wonderful Scripture. You have to read it over and over to comprehend it. Once again it speaks of our MUCH MORE life in Christ Jesus. When Christ lives in us, it is not just a life of surviving. It is a life of reigning. How can you go under when Christ dwells in you? In every situation yield to His life which is a reigning life.

MORE REWARD

2 Corinthians 4:16-18: “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment worketh for us a FAR MORE EXCEEDING and ETERNAL WEIGHT of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

This Scripture encourages us to look beyond the trials that we go through in life to see the eternal reward. Are you going through a difficult time? It seems as though it is forever, doesn't it? It feels heavy and bows you down. But, in the eyes of eternity, God calls it “a light affliction, which is but for a moment."

As you trust God in your trials, look what it will do for you. It will work for you a "far MORE exceeding and eternal weight of glory." Just a minute. There is more. Can you count the adjectives? God uses five adjectives to describe the glory that we will receive. Speak these adjectives out loud. They will encourage you mightily.

MORE SERVING

Paul’s testimony in 1 Corinthians 9:19: “I have made myself servant unto all.”

Again, he says in 1 Corinthians 15:10: “I labored MORE ABUNDANTLY than they all.” He wasn’t afraid of hard work. He poured out soul and body for the gospel.

In Corinthians 11:23-28 Paul testifies of MORE serving and suffering for Christ. Verse 23 says: “. . . I am MORE; in labors MORE ABUNDANT . . . “

Most people want to do the least when it comes to getting involved. When there is clean up and dishes to be done, they disappear. Paul was the opposite. He did MORE than anyone else. What a great attitude to have. We ourselves, and we should teach our children, that when something needs being done to always be the one who does MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE.

MORE SPEAKING IN TONGUES

1 Corinthians 14:198: “I thank my God, I speak with tongues MORE THAN YOU ALL.”

I wasn’t going to use this Scripture as speaking in tongues is controversial to many people. However, how can I compromise when it is in the Bible? I have just written this Scripture straight from the Bible.

It seems that Paul did a lot of things more than anyone else. He worked harder than anyone else. And now he tells them that he speaks in tongues more than anyone else. Well, if the apostle Paul was doing this, what should we be doing? He continually told the young Christians to look at his life and to follow him.

Romans 11:1: “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” Read also Corinthians 4:16; Ephesians 5;1; Philippians 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 1:6; and 2 Thessalonians 3:9.

The Bible tells us that speaking in tongues edifies the spirit. It may not edify the intellect, but it builds up the inner man. Read 1 Corinthians 14:4, 14, 15; Ephesians 5:18; and Jude 1:20

MORE VALUE

Matthew 10:29-31: “Are not two sparrows sold for a fathering? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father; But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of MORE VALUE than many sparrows.” Read also Luke 12:6-7.

Even though God is so high, He cares for the little sparrows. However, He reminds us that we are of MORE VALUE than them. Dear mother, God is watching over every little incident that happens in your home. Cast all your cares upon Him, the big and the little. He cares for you MORE than you realize.

PRAYER:

“Dear Lord Jesus, I thank You that Your life is a MORE ABUNDANT life and You have come to dwell in my life. Thank You that I do not have to live under my circumstances, groaning and depressed, because Your life is a reigning life. Help me to reign over my difficulties because the power of Your life that is within me. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:

WELCOME TO THE LAND OF MORE AND MORE, Part 9

“I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread.
I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy”
(Psalm 132:15, 16).

Yes, we are still in the land of MORE AND MORE. And there is still more to explore. What an amazing kingdom we belong to!

MORE PRECIOUS TRIALS

1 Peter 1:7: “That the trial of your faith, being MUCH MORE PRECIOUS than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”

We don’t like going through trials, do we? But we must look ahead. They will bring more glory into our lives than living a life of ease and sunshine. It is through our trials that the junk and muck in our lives is exposed. It’s stuff we must get rid of if we are going to change more and more into the likeness of Christ. As we yield to God and allow Him to do His perfecting work in us, we are refined and will one day receive the reward of glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

Wait a minute. More than glory. God uses three adjectives to describe our reward. We will receive praise and honor and glory!

Look at this wonderful promise in 2 Corinthians 4:17: “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment worketh for us a FAR MORE EXCEEDING and ETERNAL WEIGHT of glory.”

Wow! This time God uses five adjectives to tell us of the reward that awaits us as we allow God to refine us through our afflictions and trials. Speak these adjectives out loud. They will encourage you mightily.

MORE PROVISION

Luke 12:27, 28: “Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not, and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass which is today in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; HOW MUCH MORE will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?”

Do believe God? Do you believe His Word? Well, what are you worrying about? He has promised to care about you and clothe you much more than the grass of the field. Read the whole passage in Luke 12:22-34 and Matthew 6:26-34.

Matthew 7: 11: “If ye then, being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children, HOW MUCH MORE shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”

MORE POWER IN THE BLOOD OF CHRIST

Hebrews 9:13, 14: “For if the blood of bulls and goats . . . sanctified to the purifying of the flesh: HOW MUCH MORE shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”

Do you notice that the triune God is involved in our salvation. You will read of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in this Scripture. Oh, how precious is the blood of Christ. There is nothing else in this world that can wash us clean from our sin.

How much value do you put on the blood of Christ? Do you honor the blood of Jesus. Do you thank Him each new day for cleansing you with His precious blood and making you ready for His eternal kingdom? I don’t think we should ever a day go by without thanking Him for His eternal salvation. Read 1 Peter 1:18, 19; 1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:5, 6; and 12:11.

MORE RECEIVING FROM GOD

Matthew 13:12: “For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have MORE ABUNDANCE: but whosoever hath not from him shall be taken away even that he hath.”

It is difficult to understand this biblical principle. With our human minds we naturally think God would give to those who don’t have rather than those who do. But God knows what He is doing. We remember the parable Jesus told in Matthew 25 where the man traveling to a far country gave to one of his servants 5 talents, one 2 talents and to the last one only one talent. The servants who gained more talents received great rewards when the master came home. The one who buried his talent was chastised and his talent given to the one who received five.

If we do not develop what God has already given to us, He does not give us more. He gives abundance to those who use what He has given to them. The word “abundance” is perisseuo in the Greek and means “superabundance, excessive, enough and to spare, over and a above.”

The same principle applies in how we hear from God. Matthew 4:24, 25 says: “Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. For he that hath to him shall be given, and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.”

God does not give revelation and enlightenment to those who carelessly and lightly read His Word or who are not interested in diligently seeking Him. However, when He sees our hearts and minds eager for His truth, He delights to give us a feast from His bountiful table. The more we seek, search, and knock the MORE He gives.

PRAYER:

“Dear Father God, I thank You that You are a generous God. You give freely. You have promised to provide our needs. You care for us more the grass of the field which is here today and gone tomorrow. I believe Your Word and I put my trust in You. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:

I want to be a developer of the gifts God gives to me. I want to be a diligent seeker of His truth. I want to be an attentive listener to His words.