Lesson #20

CHRISTIAN DRESS and ADORNMENT


Introduction: "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of 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 and money, how we relate to our family and others, and our influence and witness. This lesson covers how we, both men and women, can glorify God in dress and appearance.

1. The Bible teaches that wives are to be submissive to their own husbands in non-religious matters, but what does this have to do with dress? 1 Pet. 3:1-5; Eph. 5: 22,25-28; Col. 3:18; Titus 2:3-5.

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Note: These verses show that a woman honors her husband and herself, and most of all, God, not only by dressing simply and modestly, and not flashy, but also by behaving with "a meek and quiet spirit." Also man's behavior toward his wife is to be loving, caring, kind, and thoughtful.

2. How important is our behavior? Mark 7:20-23; Matt. 12:34; 15:16-20; Luke 6:45.

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Note: Our thoughts play an important part, not only in our behavior, but also in our appearance. Our thoughts will be reflected in our countenance, and also in our appearance, the way we dress.

3. What instruction do we have in regard to what we should or should not wear? 1 Tim. 2:9; Deut. 22:5.

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Gaudy, conspicuous clothing does not exactly fit a profile of "shamefacedness and sobriety." "Shamefacedness" in this verse seems to mean shy, modest, or self-effacing, rather than embarrassed, uncomfortable, or ashamed.

4. For what does the Lord condemn "the daughters of Zion?" Isa. 3:16-24.

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Note: It was their following and imitating the ways of the heathen or the world. The desire to be like the world and not stick out like a sore thumb leads away from God.

5. What are we told about the Ishmaelites? Judges 8:24.

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Note: Who were the Ishmaelites? They were the descendants of the son that Abraham had from Hagar, his wife, Sarah's Egyptian handmaid. God blessed him because he was Abraham's son, but not his legitimate son as was Isaac. Ishmael and his descendants were not true followers of God and therefore more worldly minded, and adopted habits like the world, like the wearing of gold earrings. You can read about him in Gen. 16.

6. What should we do with these ornaments? Num. 31:50; Gen. 35:1-4; Ex. 33:5,6; 35:22.

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Note: We can give them to God, and they can be sold for an offering, or we can just get rid of them or bury them as Jacob did.

7. Compare the attire of the women in Rev. 12:1 and 17:4, and Lucifer in Ezekiel 28:13-15.

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Note: The women represent the true church and the false church. The dress of the apostate church is gaudy and brilliant, indicative of shallowness within. The less she has on the interior, the more she lavishes on the exterior. Truly the outward appearance is the index to the heart. All the adornment of Lucifer went to his head. He became so proud and lifted up, that it made him presumptuous enough to think he could be God!

8. How are God's people to be clothed, and what does this represent? Rev. 19:8.

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Note: Isa. 64:6 says, "all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags." But Isa. 54:17 says, "their righteousness is of Me," and in Isa. 61:10, we read, "He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness." So we see Christ covers us with His righteousness. It is the robe of Christ's righteousness that the saints will wear. See also Rev. 7:14.

9. How should we keep our clothing, especially when we are meeting with His people to worship Him? Ex. 19:10; Gen. 35:2; Num. 8:7,21.

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Note: We should keep as clean and neat as possible at all times, but especially when we meet to worship God. We should keep our clothing in good condition not only by washing, and ironing or pressing if necessary, but also by making necessary repairs. When they become shabby, we should replace them if possible.

10. What is Paul's admonition, and how do we glorify God? 1 Cor. 10:31; 6:20; Matt. 5:16; John 15:8.

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Note: God calls for every Christian to be renewed within and without. He wants us to dress tastefully and becomingly, in a manner that will attract to Jesus instead of to ourselves. God discourages and forbids external adorning, which fosters pride. If we reflect Christ's perfect character, that is the only adornment we, as Christians need. So, not only by our words and actions, but by our dress or appearance we reveal to others that we have been with Jesus.





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