If you have spent any time at the mall, you have seen attitude tees displayed in store windows. T-shirts that say things like “Who needs brains when you have these?” It’s completely demoralizing and so many young women wear shirts that say this and much worse. It is a horrible message to send to young girls. Would you want your child to wear a t-shirt that sends this sort of message? It’s sad really that girls are willing to even wear something that says this.
Does it say something about where they place their value? For those of you that have girls, Laurie suggests (and I strongly agree) that we are to teach our young girls that Jesus is shopping with us and we are to glorify God with what we wear.
This doesn’t mean that it’s wrong to wear makeup, or dress with style, or wear jewelry. It simply means that you really must think about what you are wearing. Is it going to “defraud” others? Defraud means to cause someone to stumble. You know what this kind of clothing looks like. That’s what the Immoral woman wears.
How does she speak?
Proverbs 2: 16- Wisdom will save you also from the adulterous woman,
from the wayward woman with her seductive words
Proverbs 5:3 – For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil.
She is seductive, flirtatious, flattering and she uses enticing words.
How does she act?
Proverbs 7:10-16
10 Then out came a woman to meet him,
dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.
11 (She is unruly and defiant,
her feet never stay at home;
12 now in the street, now in the squares,
at every corner she lurks.)
13 She took hold of him and kissed him
and with a brazen face she said:
14 “Today I fulfilled my vows,
and I have food from my fellowship offering at home.
15 So I came out to meet you;
I looked for you and have found you!
16 I have covered my bed
with colored linens from Egypt.
She is aggressive, brash, rebellious, and she neglects her home. She prefers the streets, the malls, and the bars. She is looking for her next “victim.”
How does she dress?
Proverbs 7:10
10 Then out came a woman to meet him,
dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.
One word: inappropriately. You know it when you see it. And sometimes its worse than others. I was in Victoria Secret around Christmas time, purchasing a pair of yoga pants. There was a girl in front of me that left NOTHING to the imagination. Her shirt was so low that it was uncomfortable to be standing next to her. She had the highest of heels on with super tight pants (who does Christmas shopping in super pointy stilettos? Really?) It was making everyone near her uncomfortable too. Not only was she dressed inappropriately, she was dressed seductively. Oh, it was disturbing to say the least. And while it’s not my place to judge her heart, I’m totally judging her choice of clothing. It was just really sad that she felt she needed to dress that way to get attention.
What is her heart like?
Proverbs 5: 6 – She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths wander aimlessly, but she does not know it.
Proverbs 30:20 – This is the way of an adulterous woman: She eats and wipes her mouth and says, ‘I’ve done nothing wrong.’
She has a hard heart. She believes there is nothing wrong with what she is doing. She can be “religious,” but ignores Gods ways and damages others.
What is her destiny?
Proverbs 5:5 – Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave.
She brings destruction to others. But there is hope for the Immoral woman. God can redeem and use her. In fact, do a little research on Tamar, Rahab and Bethsheba. They all have one thing in common: immorality, and they are in the direct lineage of Jesus! As Laurie says in her study, AMAZING GRACE INDEED!
Now let’s take a look at the Godly Woman.
How does she speak?
1 Peter 3:3-4 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight
Her speech is gentle and quiet. She is discreet and uses edifying words. She is not seeking attention and she uses her words to glorify God.
How does she act?
1 Thess 4:3-7 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.
She avoids sexual immorality and controls her body so as not to defraud others. As a Godly woman, you should desire for others to see a reverence for God in your life. As it states in 1 Thess 4:7, we are to live a holy life.
How does she dress?
1 Timothy 2: 9-10- 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, 10 but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.
She dresses modestly, decently and appropriately. She remembers that God holds us accountable as to how we dress. This verse got us talking after bible study about “adorning ourselves with jewelry.” Because well, most of us wear jewelry! I love jewelry and ADORE vintage jewelry. We were discussing about how maybe back in those days, women dressed more plainly unless she was a woman seeking attention. Thoughts?
What is her heart like?
1 Thess 4:1 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.
Simple and to the point: She longs to please God and lead a holy life.
What is her destiny?
1 Thess 5:9-10 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.
Eternal life and salvation!
You know, as I do this bible study, I look back at where I was last year, how depressed I was; how I hated my body and myself in general; the damage I was doing to my relationships; the damage I was doing to my relationship with my Savior. I look back now and I am thankful for that experience, as horrible as it was. My relationship with God was (on my end) not up to par. I realize now that up until this point in my life, I knew Him and I loved Him, but as I write these blogposts, things come out on paper (err…the computer screen) that make me realize how far I have come and how my relationship with Him is slowly changing as I begin to understand His word and His desires for my life. And oh man, is it a good feeling!
I pray the same for your life. I pray that you will trust in Him to get you through whatever it is you may be going through. And that He will lead you on a path to be a Godly woman!!
To study this topic further, check out Laurie Cole’s bible study Beauty by the Book. (It’s amazing and life changing!)
I respect your post and hate those kinda shirts for young girls. I think they actually believe some of the garbage on them.
I know! Its awful! It's so important to make sure our children really understand they are worth more than that. They don't need to wear that kind of stuff for attention. They are valued, loved and special.
Good article, thank you. I suggest you pray deeply to God about the verses about jewelry. I encourage you to not rationalize them away because “most people wear it now”, and your “love” for it. Those verses seem pretty clear. Most of this world is not walking closely with the Lord, so don’t use it as your guide. Even most “Christians”. Trust the Word. I have many acquaintances that rationalize away their own chosen bible verses. In my observation, those verses contain huge opportunities for breakthrough for each particular person. I have had my own particular verses, and when I just obeyed God’s Word, amazing breakthroughs happened. Praise the Lord Jesus Christ. Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart, do NOT depend on your own understanding…. May God bless you in Christ Jesus!