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Is it a sin to wear a lot of jewelry?

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Dave Slayer

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Is it a sin to wear a lot of jewelry? May I please have some thoughts on the following scriptures? Thanks and God Bless!

1 Timothy 2:9
“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array…â€Â
 
I don't think it is a sin to wear some jewelry, but in excess I think is worshipping worldy beauty, which is a sin. I believe the scripture you posted supports this.
 
9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godlinessâ€â€with good works. 1 Timothy 2:9-10

1. women are instructed to wear apparel that is respectable, and I would say that not only should it cover, but it should be clean and neat. I think it should also be distinctly feminine.

2. 'shamefaced' modest and self-controlled. I think this means not trying to allure others by drawing attention to herself, but desiring to be 'hidden' in Christ and thoughtful in her actions so that they accurately represent Him...as His ambassador. Her efforts should be focused on bringing glory to God, and so I think things like being too loud, rude, crude, course jesting, always trying to be around the men instead of sisters, overeating, being bossy and dominant, being inconsiderate of others, and not being sensitive to the Holy Spirit lean toward revealing a heart that is self-focused. As women we should grow acutely aware of what pleases the Lord and what doesn't...all believers should.

3. Concerning the braided hair and costly array, this is telling us not to focus on the outside to look beautiful and draw attention to ourselves, but rather doing good works in the name of Christ is our adornment. We read in Proverbs 30:31 "Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised." A woman who fears the Lord, who believes Him and works for Him in her life, has a heart that seeks to bring glory to Him. A woman who needs that outward beauty to feel secure, and more beautiful than any other, only desires to glorify herself...she lacks a fear of God. Ourtward efforts to be beautiful could be revealing a heart that is deceived and vain. I think that when we go back to the first part about respectful attire, we see that feminine, clean, and modest clothing, coupled with God's own design for a woman, is fine when she further adorns herself with good works in Christ.

I think we can really see that these things are truly counter-culture, and counter-natural man, and that believing women really need to be considerate of God's desire for their conduct and appearance...which boils down to heart motives. The thing is, that when she is filled with the Spirit, and exhibiting Christ's love toward others, not putting herself first , then she is far more attractive because she is completely hidden and all that is seen is the image of Christ who is the Loveliest of all.
 
I like the NASB translation which says: Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly...

"Proper" is a good word because it conveys appropriateness, well-mannered and suitability. I don't think that Paul is saying women can never wear nice jewelry or a beautiful dress. Or jeans and an old T-shirt for that matter. (Sorry, I live on a cattle ranch.) We certainly don't need to walk around like Muslim women in burkas. Rather, we should be conscience of the fact that our choice of clothing and accessories say something about who we are. Paul is reminding us to have that something be pointing others towards Christ, not how to "hot" we look. If we are dressed appropriately and modestly to a situation, but moreover if, when in that situation we are seeking how to further Christ's Kingdom, or be an example of His love, then we are fulfilling the spirit of what Paul is writing here.
 
Dave Slayer said:
Is it a sin to wear a lot of jewelry? May I please have some thoughts on the following scriptures? Thanks and God Bless!

1 Timothy 2:9
“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array…â€Â
Dave, I don't believe the jewelry alone is a sin. What may constitute it as sinful is, what better use could you put this money to instead of adorning oneself in jewelry? Are 'you' being a good steward with the money God has afforded you? What message is being sent by adorning oneself in gold, silver and the likes?

Modest apparel... here's where we guys (especially we that are Christians) get tripped up. Even I, (Mr. no compromise, lol) single and Christian, fall into that trap from time to time, though God has made it pointedly clear that I steer my eyes away to avoid any temptation. I should stay away from the beach for a while, heh? :biglaugh

Any modest and Godly woman would not want to be the cause of any man's stumbling. Yes, being immodest can certainly be sinful.

Hope that helps.
 
Sin is the Transgression of the Law not the Transgression of Fashion

1Jn 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
 
Mat 5:27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
Mat 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

When a woman wears flashy jewelry and provocative clothing, it can cause a man to stumble and look at her in a lustful way. That not only brings on adultery, which is a transgression, it can cause him to commit the sin of covetousness, another transgression.

Any woman who would cause a believer to stumble in these areas is guilty of sinning also.

Rom 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
Rom 14:14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

Causing someone to do anything they have deemed unclean is a sin.

Sorry to be so blunt, Inn. I guess it's my turn to be legalistic. :biggrin
 
:lol :lol :lol Vic you are so funny - your turn to be what? As if the last time we talked I was legalistic? That is rich dude. You are correct - them woman who ware rings and stuff like that should burn in HELL. I mean us men can do as we please right? Do by all means blast them evil ring waring woman who are causing men to sin and sin and sin everywhere. AMEN!!! :biglol :biglol Am I mocking your comment? SURE AM. Funny how you seem to forget how man are just as guilty in this as the woman. They run around with their bling bling to attract and lure woman just as bad as the woman do to the men. I mean I can list here all the thing men do to attract a woman just as bad as the woman. Oh yeah Vic are you telling me that if a woman comes into your church all dressed up with her bling bling in a short skirt you have no self control? You have no choice but to be lured into lust about what she has on? Is that what you are telling this forum? Mind you I am not blasting YOU I am blasting your comment. I showed this forum that as believers sin is the transgression of the Law. Are you under the law?

1Co 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

Should anyone ware a bunch of jewelry? NO! Is that sin? NO! Is it Foolish and Carnal? YES! Is it sin? Again NO! That was the question to begin this post. Let us stick with the question!
 
I'm pretty sure this guy's gonna be in Heaven:

mr-t.jpg


:biggrin
 
That was funny. I don't know if he is getting to heaven friend but them chains around his neck wont keep him out LOL
 
In all seriousness though, I think one of the emphases we see in the scripture, specifically most of the NT, is that God is looking at the inside, not the outside. There are a lot of folks that are going to heaven that look pretty wild on the outside. And there are a lot of pretty boys who are going to find themselves in Hell.

The "stumbling block" scripture was mentioned, and I while I agree that we should try not to avoid rocking the boat with Christians who are newer or perhaps haven't read and thought through all this, at the same time that scripture is dealing with causing others to sin, not simply ruffling feathers. If you wear so much bling that Mr. T thinks you go overboard, and the ladies at church just scowl at you, I say smile at them and keep going. Now, if as a result of your dress they're actually led to sinning, then maybe it's time to leave the giant gold clock in the jewelry bin.

Of course, this could all be solved is someone would walk up to those scowling church ladies and explain in love that Christ could care less what's on your body, he's concerned with what's in your heart.
 
Innkeeper-Ministry said:
...I don't know if he is getting to heaven friend...
Actually, on the Subject of Mr. T, he's actually a Christian, and he even runs a pretty neat ministry. If you ever get the chance to hear him talk about his testimony (I'm sure someone has posted one of his talks online somewhere) it's pretty amazing. He talks a lot about growing up in the Chicago ghetto, and really drives home the gospel message: Loving others and leading them to Him.

I found an interview he did a while back with beliefnet, here it is: Link

Of course, as the article points out, he did quit wearing his gold after Katrina because he thought it would be a sin to do so when so many were hurting. I don't know if the gold's come back yet, but at any rate, he ranks pretty highly in my "cool guys" chart.
 
Mock away, mock me, mock my comments. I'm not phased by it. I know what sin is and I know what causes sin. I Know the women here will not be offended by my comments and if they are, they know me well enough to say so. I think many of them would agree though. Maybe we'll delve into Proverbs 31 a bit.

I am fully aware that men are to blame too. The OP however was addressing women. i believe my comments were on topic and Dave knows he's free to PM me if they're not.

The readers can decide for themselves if my comment hold water or not.

Have a blessed evening. :)
 
Vic C. said:
Mat 5:27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
Mat 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

When a woman wears flashy jewelry and provocative clothing, it can cause a man to stumble and look at her in a lustful way. That not only brings on adultery, which is a transgression, it can cause him to commit the sin of covetousness, another transgression.

Any woman who would cause a believer to stumble in these areas is guilty of sinning also.

Rom 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
Rom 14:14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

Causing someone to do anything they have deemed unclean is a sin.

Sorry to be so blunt, Inn. I guess it's my turn to be legalistic. :biggrin
HIt the nail, Vic. Thanks. :)
 
I think that excessive jewelry can be evidence that something is going on in the heart. A desire to impress, to out do others, to flash riches, to show off name brands, to be beautiful, etc. Where I grew up if you didn't have name brand this, or that, you were considered nothing. I am sure many of us experienced that sort of thing. God says that it's when you put Him first, when you glorify Him with good works, that you are adorned before His eyes. A woman that fears the Lord is the one who is considered far above rubies.

Paul is telling us right in the Word not to wear costly array, and so why would we not be willing to just obey? We have people coming to the Lord from many walks of life, and that are growing at different levels, but at the root of faith is the idea that we all are to die to ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. We are all one, and a culture of God's children, and that should be what we embrace. When we know that God wants us to please Him in a certain area, then we should just want to follow His Word. I don't think we should all be going around counting one another's diamonds, but I should examine myself, and my daughter, and see where our hearts are on this issue. I think it's up to fathers and husbands to help their daughters and wives in this area, because sometimes it can be hard to discern what's excessive or inappropriate.

I think this could be an issue that could cause a brother to stumble, especially a younger believer or one who struggles with lust. It can even cause a sister to stumble because we will not be a good example to her as she strives to be an ambassador for Christ. We will be teaching her that it's alright to be caught up in the outward beauty, and with our expensive name brand icons. We will turn church into a fashion show where not all will feel welcome, instead of a place of worship and fellowship. And the young girls, instead of learning the good teachings and good works from older women, will be learning that beauty is outward,and that glorifying one's self like the world is alright. They will imitate what we do, not what we say, and some will make more of an effort to keep up with the trends rather than seek to be servant-hearted and hard workers. We see it happening. I think it would be lovely if we were all, as believers, free from those chains.

Paul also mentions in chapter 6 of this epistle ( I think) that Timothy should instruct the rich to not seek security in their riches, but in God, and so this could be another issue tied to costly array.

Vic, I don't think obedience to the Word, or teaching obedience to the Word, is legalistic at all.
 
Oh, and Dora, I wanted to agree with the part about respectful attire, or proper I think your version said. A frilly dress is not suitable, or properly modest, when you are shoveling cow manure. :biggrin
 
lovely said:
Oh, and Dora, I wanted to agree with the part about respectful attire, or proper I think your version said. A frilly dress is not suitable, or properly modest, when you are shoveling cow manure. :biggrin
:lol Oh, I love you two farmgirls, you are both so down to earth! (yes, pun intended)

Vic, I don't think obedience to the Word, or teaching obedience to the Word, is legalistic at all.
I agree, it isn't. It was a reference to something I said in the "Godless marriage" thread. :)
 
lovely said:
A frilly dress is not suitable, or properly modest, when you are shoveling cow manure. :biggrin

:rolling As usual Lovely, I find myself in perfect agreement with you!

Vic C. said:
:lol Oh, I love you two farmgirls, you are both so down to earth! (yes, pun intended)

Luv you too, buddy!
 
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