A - Adorn
Do you realize that as a Christian, people are watching us? When my husband and I go out with our four little girls---people watch us--they can see there is a difference. No, we aren't perfect but with the Lord's help we are setting the best example we can as a Christian.
We should dress as Christian ladies, but we should have a good testimony not only in our apparel but in our attitude, and the way we handle different situations that may arise in our daily lives.
Adorn ourselves in modest apparel
I Timothy 2:9-10 says "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness, and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works"
When we dress modestly, we please our Lord and reflect HIS purity.
Did you know that how we, as ladies, dress affects our behavior and shows what is really in our hearts? Mrs. Beverly Hyles said "Your clothing reveals your attitude about yourself and authority"
Ask yourself: Would this dress be pleasing to Jesus? I Thes. 2:4b
This is a personal story but I feel it's worthy sharing: My husband was going to take me away for my birthday so I wanted to get a really nice dress...something different...for our get-a-way trip. I went to the mall; tried on the most beautiful dress and fell in love with it. It definately wasn't something I would normally pick out but remember I wanted something 'different'. I got it home and hung it up on the back of the door just looking at it every day and anticipating our 'get-a-way'...which are few and far between with four little ones. The day of our departure I was getting ready and about 1/2 hour before he was to get home, I prepared to put that dress on. When I put it on, it felt 'heavy'...come to find out...they had forgotten to take the security ink tag off of it. OH, my heart just dropped. I called the store literally upset and almost in tears...like they were going to share a trick to get it off the dress...but I asked anyways. To make a long story short and believing ALL things happen for a reason...deep down I knew the dress really wasn't that modest...not that it was low or real short but the material was the factor here. My husband is very honest and I respect that. As a lady, not thinking of course with a man's mind, I'll try something on and he'll say "honey, that just looks too much like lingerie material etc" and so if MY husband thinks that...what are other men going to think? So needless to say, that dress is no longer in my closet.
Not only how you dress, but how you walk...do you find yourself swinging your hips from one side to the other? We need to watch our body language...how we sit, stand, walk, our 'pose' while we are speaking to the opposite sex. There is nothing more irritating as a wife than to see some lady speaking to my husband with her hips cocked to one side and throwing her hands around while fluttering her eyes. Be careful! I'd rather be on the safe side than to be known as a 'flirt'!
Matthew 5:28 "But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart."
Dress so as not to be party to a man's committing adultery with YOU in his heart.
Titus 2:5 "To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."
Spend time in prayer and in God's Word to find out if you are dressing in a way that pleases the Lord.
Adorn ourselves with shamefacedness:
- to have a sense of shame; a sense of modesty; bashfulness
- Does that mean we go around with a sober look on our face, shoulders hunched over looking like a whipped puppy? NO!!!!!!!!
- Remember, you and I are a child of the KING if you are saved!
Adorn ourselves with sobriety:
- means to be discreet, controlling all passions and desires that might cause a temptation to be immodest
- Ladies, we are to be careful about our way of dress.
- It seems many ladies - even in our churches - have no sense of shame or decency.
- They are out to show all they got. I don't believe that honors nor glorifies our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ...nor do I believe it shows honor and respect for our husbands (or future husband for those not yet married) when we dress that way and conduct ourselves in such manners.
Adorn ourselves with a meek and quiet spirit:
- have a mild temper
- be gentle
- don't be easily provoked or irritated
- yielded
- not proud
I Peter 3:3-5 "Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on a apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:"
Thus far we've had:
D- Desires
A- Adorn
Tomorrow we will look at the letter "I" for Integrity
1 comment:
Amen and Amen. Melissa, that was really a blessing to read. Ya sure don't see that straightforward, Christ honoring, thought provoking devotional around much anymore! Thanks and keep up the great work. Your site is a blessing and so are you:)
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