Bonjou wonderful creature! Time does not erase mistakes, but it gives you the opportunity to repent, to do better, to improve, and significantly help others not to repeat your mistakes. Time does not erase the pain, but GOD uses it to make all things work together for good. Time does not change people, it reveals who they really are. Time does not make you wise, but it gives you the opportunity to become wise. Make good use of your time and give GOD the time to do what only he can do. Tell the hurry and the delay that: GOD is your FATHER and the master of times and circumstances. Learn from the past, invest in the present, and celebrate the future.
Clothing is a language
Love and Truth: kindness without complacency
True beauty is inner but decency reveals the state of your heart
Decency in a few words
The truth without prejudice: skirts, pants, dresses
The truth without prejudice: tattoos and bindi (red dot on the face)
The truth without prejudice: make-up, hair, hairstyle, scarf, hijab, chador, niqab, sari
What is the message of your dressing?
I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship GOD.
(1 Timothy 2: 9-10, NIV)
A woman must not wear men’s clothing, nor a man wear women’s clothing, for the Lord your GOD detests anyone who does this.
(Deutéronomy 22:5, NIV)
1. Clothing is a language
Whether we are aware of it or not, the way a person dresses or dresses their children reflects, to a greater or lesser extent, their culture, their emotions, their beliefs, their values, their temperament, their priorities, and the idea they have of themselves. Appearances are often deceiving, but it is no less true that a clothing style is a form of expression. The preferences are not the same between teenagers, old people, introverts, extroverts, extravagant, religious, politicians, sportsmen, city dwellers, and rural people. The way we dress speaks. The message can be accurate, uplifting, exceptional, exaggerated, casual, militant, deceptive, provocative, or seductive.
2. Love and Truth: kindness without complacency
Responding to the call of salvation is to recognize JESUS as SAVIOR and LORD. It is to repent of one's former way of life and to commit oneself to the values of the Kingdom. It is a commitment to grow through the assistance of the HOLY SPIRIT and to choose JESUS every day. Growing with the assistance of the HOLY SPIRIT implies growing in Love (GOD, oneself, and one's neighbor), Truth (knowledge, understanding, obedience), and sanctification (attitudes, habits, words, way of life). Choosing JESUS every day means choosing his model, regardless of the circumstances, culture, habits, and expectations of others. We come to JESUS as we are, in order to be like him, glorify him, and reflect him. We do not come to JESUS to remain as we are or to look like others. GOD is Love, but He resides in Truth. He loves us but desires our sanctification. He saves us so that we can become better and help others to become better.
I don't believe in selective decency: dressing decently for church, hospital, funerals, job interviews, and indecently elsewhere. We should dress decently at all times. JESUS and the Apostles (men and women) always dressed decently.
Some people dress decently depending on where and whom they plan to meet.
⇒ Decently at church (especially when they want to sit in the front), but indecently outside.
⇒ Decently every day except for their wedding day, their brother's wedding, when they are in Hawaii or Las Vegas.
⇒ Decently when it comes to them. However, when it comes to children and teenagers, they let it go. They can spend €500,000 to buy a smartphone, but surprisingly they have neither the money nor the time to buy decent clothes for their children.
There are even some who write Bible verses on their indecent pictures. Under the pretext that it is written " Preach the word, insist on every occasion, whether favorable or not, refute, rebuke and encourage. Do all these things with full patience and diligence to instruct. " (2 Timothy 4:2)
But it is also written " Let no one despise your youth; be an example to the believers in your words, your conduct, your love, your faith, your purity (1 Timothy 4:12). It is also written " Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of GOD, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, S21). Evangelizing is not using the Word of GOD to show off, but allowing CHRIST to reveal Himself through us. I don't believe in looking like the world to win souls for CHRIST.
3. True beauty is inner but decency reveals the state of your heart
If you are tempted to dress indecently or if you dress indecently, you should ask yourself why. Why do you want to dress in a sexually attractive way? Why don't you pay attention to your children's clothes? Why do you put off buying them clothes that fit? Why a backless dress on your wedding day? Why do you expose your belly button? Why do you conform to the world? Are you aware that indecent dress is an invitation to sin and demons (lust and fornication)? Who are you glorifying? The devil or GOD? If you consciously expose your body to lust (male or female), you have a problem in your heart. If you have a complex about your T-shaped figure, exposing your thighs is not the solution. Dressing indecently is very often the first step towards fornication (Matthew 5:27-29, Proverbs 7:10). True beauty is inward, and indecency in clothing reveals the state of your heart: your love for GOD, your self-esteem, and your consideration for your neighbor. Is your neighbor someone you want to build up, encourage or use?
4. Decency in a few words
The true beauty of a person comes from within, expressed in character, words, and good works rather than in flashy clothes and jewelry. GOD looks at the heart (intentions, motivations) before appearances. This doesn't mean that appearances don't matter. GOD is not against beautiful, lavish, jewelry or makeup. But, it must be decent, comfortable, appropriate, uplifting, and respectful.
Modesty: clothing that is neither transparent nor too tight, that does not expose a large part of the body. Clothes that cover the shoulders, chest, stomach, thighs, and buttocks. ⇒ No minis, halter dresses? and plunging necklines. Clothes that come down below your knees and stay there when you sit down. Just because your intention isn't wrong by unbuttoning your shirt, choosing a plunging neckline, and wearing five chains and ten rings, doesn't mean you should.
Simple: no extravagance and as much as possible avoid specifying the brand. Quite frankly, we don't care if it's Louis Vuitton, Swatch, or a first price.
Comfortable: not preventing you from renting, moving, bending or kneeling. Whether you're in a suit, jeans, sandals, stilettos, or sneakers, we don't care!
Edifying: check out the images, words, and phrases on your hats, caps, polo shirts, T-shirts, and sweatshirts.
Respectful: brother, if you want to evangelize in a country where it is very frowned upon for a man to braid his hair or to keep it long, then cut your hair. Sister, if the headscarf, the veil, or the abaya dress is mandatory in your region, do not engage in a useless fight.
Appropriate to the context : dress with intelligence and consideration. You don't dress decently to go to a job interview. What's the point of wearing fancy clothes when you're going to exhort young people or evangelize in one of the poorest regions of the world?
5. The truth without prejudice: skirts, pants, dresses
Deuteronomy 22:5 is often misinterpreted. This verse does not prohibit one type of clothing, it prohibits cross-dressing. Cross-dressing is dressing in the clothes of the other sex, wearing hair or make-up in the manner of the other sex. This verse does not prohibit women from wearing pants. It does not prohibit men from wearing men's dresses. There are dresses for women and dresses for men. Examples of men's dresses: boubou, djellaba, kurta, Kamis (qamis), tunics, etc. There are pants for men and pants for women. Pants did not exist at the time of writing the Bible. Moses did not wear pants. The woman with the loss of blood touched the flap of JESUS' robe. Let's understand the difference between culture, law, and the purpose of the law. It is necessary to understand the reason for the laws of Moses before applying or rejecting them. If in your culture women have to wear a skirt that goes down to the feet, and a shirt with sleeves that cover the whole arm, that's fine, there is nothing wrong with it. But don't judge your sister for dressing differently.
6. The truth without prejudice: tattoos and bindi (red dot on the face)
Do not make any cuts on your body for the dead. Do not burn any pictures that will stay on your body. I am the LORD." (Leviticus 19:28, NKJV)
See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me. (Isaia 49:16, NKJV)
And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. (Revelation 19:16, NKJV)
Yes, a Christian can get a tattoo, but not just anything, not just any way, not just anywhere, and not for any reason. GOD is against everything that does not glorify him. Our bodies are temples of the HOLY SPIRIT (1 Corinthians 6:19). Therefore, every Christian should question the HOLY SPIRIT before getting a tattoo. Married people must have the agreement of their partner beforehand. Being well-intentioned is not enough. The first question is not what the tattoo represents (drawing, letter, numbers, text), but why you want to get a tattoo. Getting a tattoo is not a decision to be taken lightly. Don't make this decision hastily. You don't get a tattoo just because it's beautiful, because you want to, or because it's customary in your family, tribe, or country. Your body is the temple of the HOLY SPIRIT (1 Corinthians 6:19, 1 Corinthians 3:16). Everything is permitted, but not everything is useful; everything is permitted, but not everything edifies (1 Corinthians 10:23).
Some married people choose to replace their wedding ring with a tattoo on the ring finger. There are professions for which it is strongly discouraged and even forbidden to wear rings or chains on duty (surgeons, mechanics, etc.)
Even if you are convinced to get a tattoo, don't rush to the first tattoo artist you know. Pray, ask the LORD to lead your steps, invoke the blood of JESUS, and ask for the presence of angels in the place where you will get a tattoo. It is very possible that the person who is going to tattoo you usually tattoos demons and other tattoos to the glory of the devil on other people.
GOD never intended our bodies to be works of art. It sounds cute to get a tattoo of your wife's initials or your children's names, but I don't think this kind of tattoo is to be encouraged. Even less so are the tattoos of so-called images of JESUS or angels. GOD is against all forms of idolatry. For the anecdote, during their pregnancies, the Egyptian women tattooed their belly so that their "gods" (idols) ensure the health of their children. This practice is still in force in many countries. Some women tattooed their belly or face, some tattooed their children, and others wore chains on their kidneys or ankles. The Canaanites slashed their bodies to mourn their dead and worship their "gods" (idols) (1 Kings 18:28).
Tattoos present real health risks. Some tattoos have resulted in severe allergic reactions, infections, unsightly scars and blood-borne diseases such as hepatitis B and C. Tattooing deliberately opens the skin and exposes your blood to bacteria. Tattoo parlors are not medical clinics.
There are many interpretations behind the Bindi. If a sister chooses to wear the Bindi to indicate that she is married or widowed, there is no problem with that. It is like a married woman with a ring on her ring finger. For the record, the ring is not always worn on the left ring finger. In some countries, the ring finger is worn on the right hand. However, knowing that the Bindi is a religious symbol in some pagan communities, you have to be wise. Sista, if you consider that wearing the Bindi is honoring your husband and you have his approval to wear it, then be at peace.
7. The truth without prejudice: make-up, hair, hairstyle, scarf, hijab, chador, niqab, sari
Our clothing should glorify GOD. Our local preferences and cultures are not laws. You are free to cut, dye or shave your hair. As long as you are not cross-dressing, it's okay. Sista, no matter what your color, origin or residence, you are free to wear a headscarf, hijab, chador or sari if you wish. Choose a sari that does not reveal your belly. Each church is free to decide if the niqab can be worn inside the church. But outside the church, you are free to wear the niqab if you wish. Brother, no matter what your color, origin, or residence, you are free to wear a tunic, boubou, djellaba, kurta, or kamis (qamis). Brother, you can wear any decent man's clothing.
You can wear makeup if you want. But, let your makeup be to beautify and not to disguise. Avoid extravagance.
8. What is the message of your dressing?
When we first invite prostitutes, worldly celebrities, or pagans to church, let us be prepared for the possibility that they may come dressed indecently. We must be respectful and gracious to all, regardless of their dress and social status. But this is not an excuse to be silent. Rather, we must learn to speak with love and wisdom. This idea that people should not be urged to dress decently and without extravagance is not Biblical. We know that the HOLY SPIRIT teaches all things, gives discernment, and is the one who convicts of judgment and sin. The renewal of the mind does not happen in one day: it is a process. We exhort only to break down strongholds and preserve people from seduction. The purpose is not to condemn visitors and new converts.
There is no animosity in what I say. I am for benevolence, but against complacency. I wrote this article to edify, not condemn. Again, GOD is Love, but He dwells in Truth. He loves us but, He desires our sanctification. He does not save us from becoming better and helping others to become better. We are wonderful creatures, masterpieces of GOD. All created in his image and likeness and all valued at the price of what he holds most dear: JESUS. Your clothing does not diminish or increase GOD's love for you. However, your clothing is a form of expression, a visible testimony of who you are and who you honor. A Prophetess once said, " I will not let sister die because I want to win my neighbor. I will not let my son die because I want to please my neighbor or impress my brother. " And an Arab Evangelist said, " I will not let the devil use my appearance to trap my brother or turn him away from CHRIST. " Does your clothing honor JESUS or the devil? What is your message?
** Bonjou = Good morning in Guyanese Creole (France)