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Appearance:
a Living Testimony of God’s Design
pamela
spurling
When I first
began reading about, living out and then later began
writing about modesty and modest dress quite a number of
years ago, I was zealously driven to proclaim a message
and expected---really expected---to see results. It’s
not that my expectations were dashed, or that favourable
results didn’t come to pass, but I was honestly
surprised then and continue to be now marginally
discouraged at how little has changed in the matter of
modest and feminine dress for Christian women.
I’m never
surprised at the lengths women will go to display their
supposed feminine prowess and sex appeal and with the
bombardment of images, fashion magazines, newspaper ads,
appearance of movie stars and other celebrities, it
comes as no surprise the lengths women will go to attain
to what they see portrayed. That’s natural---it’s the
carnal nature. It’s that very nature that is enmity
against God---the vaunted self is enmity against God.
That’s why
it’s so discouraging to see the inclination of Christian
women is to display the same look the world is steeped
in. Were there to be lined up in a row: ten
women---five believers and five unsaved women---it’s a
sad shame that there would likely be no difference in
their appearance. Sadly, this would be the case pretty
much anywhere in the nation.
It would seem
that there would be an obvious or outward demonstration
of a follower of the LORD Jesus. It would seem that
the inward change---the renewed heart, the clean heart
toward God would be reflected in the outward
appearance. O, most certainly in the countenance, but
also in the manner of dress---most especially for a
woman.
For a woman to
be purely faithful, demonstrating that clean and
obedient heart, her attire ought to compliment or
reflect that decision. Her attire ought to frame
her life. And, since our appearance often speaks
before words are spoken, it ought to speak Truth.
It ought to speak truth and not deception. Clothes
can be very, very deceiving.
Alluring
attire, low pants, thin close fitting garments, low-cut
blouses, high slit skirts, tight jeans, form fitting
pants, accessories that accentuate the breasts or hips,
pants that draw attention to the crotch or bottom
area---any and all of these have no place in the
wardrobe of a changed life---a life of a follower of the
LORD Jesus. For the purpose of all of these is not to
draw others to Christ but eyes to the flesh.
Consider the
Word of the LORD in Galatians 6.6-10
“Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him
that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived; God
is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall
he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of
the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the
Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And
let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we
shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore
opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially
unto them who are of the household of faith.”
To wear
clothing that is provocative, sensual, accentuating, or
alluring is to sow to the flesh, to entice the eyes of
men and to bring attention to one’s self. To entice is
to set up a brother to stumble and to believe otherwise
is both foolish and imprudent. To be careless with our
actions is to dig a pit for a brother and dare him to
not fall in. So, therefore, let us be wise women and do
good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the
household of faith.
Women resist
wearing clothing that doesn’t reveal their feminine
shape for fear that they’ll look fat or dowdy or
unattractive. They don’t want others to think they’ve
let themselves go or that they look old. They want to
look cool, attractive, young, etc., etc. Save the
arguments… there is nothing wrong with looking lovely,
neat and clean, feminine and pretty. But there is
something very wrong with wanting to look like most
celebrities and movie stars look: seductive, skimpy,
alluring---physically appealing. That’s a strong
statement to say that looking like that is wrong, isn’t
it!?!?
Ask a man.
Ask a man what
a man thinks when he sees skin. Ask him what he thinks
when he sees a woman’s silhouette or her accentuated
figure or the shadow of her breasts. Ask a man what he
thinks of when he sees a woman’s close fitting pants…
that part just beneath the front zipper where the thighs
meet. Ask him. Ask a man what he thinks of when he
sees the feminine bottom accentuated by tight jeans… or
the lower stomach revealed above the low cut jeans and
the shirt that doesn’t quite cover or meet the top of
the jeans. Ask a man what he thinks about a tee-shirt
that reveals the breasts and hints at the presence of
nipples or a shear bra.
Ask a man.
Ask a man
about slits up the back of a skirt… about strappy
sandals and legs. Ask a man about clothes that almost
give a peek or that hint about the body they barely
cover. Seductive talk, and wandering eyes… A man’s
thoughts fill in blanks and colour fantasies. A man’s
thoughts draw him away. And sadly, almost sickeningly,
it’s what women long for: to be found attractive, sexy,
enticing, wanted. But a woman secure in the LORD must
guard these things so that her behaviour is not
sickening but lovely for her own husband. Dressing to
appeal, dressing to entice, dressing to arouse…
Good things.
In a marriage. In private.
But these are
the very things that appear in the world --- all over
the world. These are not behaviours that should be the
intentions of Christian women outside of the privacy of
time with their own husbands. Christian women should
be intentionally enticing, alluring, exciting,
interesting, thrilling for their husbands alone---in
private---not for other men.
These are a
few of the things that drive a man wild. O, dear
sisters, let your love overflow for your husband. Let
him see you in your beauty and let him love you
physically. Meet his need for love and acceptance.
Meet his need to be found manly and attractive. Meet
his need to be what you need. Save yourself for him and
give yourself to him… be the gift he longs to open and
be the delight he longs to receive.
Let strength
and honour be your clothing---be not conformed to this
world. Be wise in your choice of dress. The LORD
created you to be a woman---demonstrate your joy in the
role He designed for you. Whether you are married or
not at this time, you *are* someone’s wife.
Let the heart
of your husband safely trust in you and be a virtuous
woman that is a crown to him.
I wish you
great joy as you walk in the precious role the LORD
created and designed for you. I pray your appearance
will be an outward demonstration of the inward
commitment… that you’ll be seen as a living testimony of
God’s design.
Suggested
passages to study
Proverbs 31.25
Romans 12.2
1Timothy 2.9
Proverbs 12.4
Proverbs 31.11
pamela
spurling
The Welcome Home ~ March 2006
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