“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness).” 1 Timothy 2: 9-10
At a particular time, as I studied my scripture, this very scripture above, struck a chord in my spirit (witness of the Spirit). But I’m so confused as to why so many Christian ladies neglect its application in their dress code.
Worse of all, so many Christian leaders seem to be silent concerning this particular scripture. You know, we still see so many Christian sisters, dress so worldly in aberration to the above scripture. We still see sisters wear immodest attires around, even to the Church.
I think Paul is telling women they need to dress decently and with modesty, not to distract people with the cut of their clothes, show off by wearing expensive clothes and masses of jewellery and not to try to make a fashion statement or imply class and superiority by what they are wearing. Our hearts need to be right before God - if we are dressing to feel superior, look rich or boast, then we are concerning ourselves more with the comments of men (people) rather than devoting our time and worship to God.
On the other hand, some people wear low cut/short/backless dresses and tops because that is how they dress all the time, to express who they are. If that's the case, I suppose they should be allowed to dress that way for church too - otherwise we are giving out the message that a person has to dress up for church, wear outfits they may be uncomfortable with and be someone else before God. That would be equally wrong.
“
We still see Christian women adorn themselves with gold, pearl (Jewelries). Braid (Plait) their hair. Even wear costly arrays, yet no one seems to see anything wrong with it, except a few leaders that I know.
It's not wrong though.
Wedding rings are almost always made of gold, and pearls are no more showy, and may be cheaper, than diamonds, emeralds, sapphires etc, all of which can be found in rings, bracelets or earrings. Some women wear their hair in dreadlocks, which is a cultural thing rather than about fashion, I think. Yet if a woman has long hair and wants to wear it in a plait, there's nothing wrong with that.
These Christian leaders that are allowing the sisters in their Churches to dress as they like, without any form of instruction, especially from the above scripture, is it that God told them, he has changed his mind concerning that injunction from Paul?
Women should be able to dress as they like and depending on how they feel comfortable. For myself, I don't like skirts that are above the knee, nor do I like low necklines, so I don't wear them. Some would applaud that, others find it prudish. Some women might say; "what's wrong with a low neckline; people should look at my face, not what's below it." Others would not want to wear/do anything which might distract/offend another person. We are in church/Christian meetings to worship God and learn, not to judge other people on their wardrobes.
But fashion and style of dress is very different now to what it was then. Paul says nothing about dresses, skirts, suits, shorts, trainers, hats, stockings/tights etc - because they didn't have these things then. The culture is different and what one person regards as smart, another may regard to be immodest.
Well, I’m not here to display any form of holier-than-thou attitude. After all, I want to make heaven, and God has told me that the only way for me to be saved, is to give myself fully to the doctrines of the scripture and also teach them to others to be saved as well (1Timothy 4: 16).
Yes but salvation is through Jesus alone - wearing "the correct clothes" is not part of salvation and has nothing to do with it. And I'm not suggesting you disobey Scripture, but the NT does contain some things that were written to the churches that Paul had visited and had contact with, and are cultural, and do not necessarily have to be applied today. For example, this same passage says that it is disgraceful for a man to have long hair - but how long is long? Nape of the neck? Collar length? Shoulder length? How long was Jesus' hair? Personally, I think this is another cultural thing and doesn't matter today - a man could be a true, born again, Spirit filled, devout and sincere Christian, and yet have shoulder length hair, or maybe long enough to wear in a pony tail. We can't judge by appearances.
Also, if church leaders have to preach on attire for women "because the NT says so", then equally they should be willing to preach on the length of a man's hair - and the passages that say that men should raise their hands in worship and that we should all greet one another with a brotherly kiss.
I cut the top a little shorter though. My avatar is how it looks after three to four weeks.
