Dressing to Impress

Sorry men, this one is semi directed toward the ladies.  But I still suggest you take a read through too : ).

“Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature” – Romans 13:14 (emphasis added)

-         Don’t ask “how far can I go till it’s a sin?” but ask, “How godly, holy, and pure can I be?” 

Gourmet chefs often say that when it comes to food, presentation is everything.  Presentation is everything, but also with your body. 

You teach people how to treat you.  Whether you intend to our not, you teach people to treat you with respect or with disrespect. 

Often times, when young girls are desperate for attention, they will seek out unhealthy ways to grab that attention. 

As you are getting dressed each morning, try evaluating what you intend to wear.  Ask yourself: would wearing this outfit be a loving expression, not causing my brothers to stumble and fall? 

While Scripture isn’t specific about how we are to dress, it does have some specific things to say about the clothing we should wear.  Here are a few examples:

Let us behave decently as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.  Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.  (Romans 13:13-14)

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience…and over all these virtues, put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.  (Colossians 3:12, 14)

All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5)

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2) (emphasis added)

-         Everything that Hollywood places in our eyesight is in opposition to what God wants.  Hollywood constantly tells us we are to be skinnier, prettier, tanner, more lady-like, less lady-like, more athletic, less athletic, wearing shorter shorts, wearing smaller swim suits, have bigger breasts, have whiter and straighter teeth, have no acne, have blond hair, have a few boyfriends, be flirtatious, be charming, and the list goes on and on.  But God says we ARE BEAUTIFUL just the way He made us!  We do not have to adapt and take on our culture’s views of “beautiful.”  God made you, so you are beautiful. 

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.” (Romans 12:1)

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)

-         Just like God has plans to prosper you (Jer. 29:11), the devil has a specific plan to steal, kill, and destroy you.  And he knows your weaknesses.  Our God IS in fact much stronger.  BUT, that doesn’t mean that temptation won’t fall upon you.  It’s not as if one day you reach this “ultimate day of Holiness,” and then POOF, your no longer tempted.  No, the devil is going to work harder for your soul – not let up. 

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears [respects and serves] the LORD is to be praised.”  (Proverbs 31:30)

Remember, you have worth and value in the Kingdom of God.  

You are priceless.

You are a princess.

You are God's, and you are lovely.

Blessings,

Samantha