The ~Christian Country Farm~

The "Why" Series: Modest Apparel...

FROM  Seeking the Old Paths

When I first became a mother, the physical work was difficult but the emotional investment was easy.  What’s not to love about a cuddly newborn.   As the children grow, the job of motherhood has become  a little more difficult. Oh sure, the physical demands are easier because the children have become more self-sufficient, but the questions, the decisions…those are the things that  have gotten harder.

    It is for this reason that the WHY series was born.  I hope to write a series of studies on the ‘whys’ in our life.  It is these whys that define our Christian walk in this world and yet are so misunderstood by Christians in general.  Things like, why do we wear only dresses?  Why  are you encouraging and training your daughters to keep a home and discouraging college?  Why don’t we attend movie theaters? Why is todays ‘christian’ music not pleasing to the Lord?”  “Why live separate from the world?”   WHY?

    You see, I’ve realized lately that my convictions are not necessarily going to be my children’s convictions.  They need to be taught why we believe the things that we do so that they can make wise choices.  While they are under our roof, they will have to abide by our rules but what is going to carry them along in those convictions when they leave our home?  Besides prayer and a right relationship with the Lord, it will be knowing why our family believes what God says in his Word - and he does indeed have something to say about all of these subjects.

So welcome to my first installment of….

I.  Deut. 22:5  The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so [are] abomination unto the LORD thy God.

I can almost see the eye rolls and hear the sighs when I quote this verse.  “Surely, you aren’t going to go there!”  Sorry sister, I’m going there.  No better place to start than at the beginning. 

“The woman shall not wear that which pertained unto a man”  Yes, yes, I know, that’s the Old Testament. As if that should excuse us from giving heed to it. 

Romans 7:7 says "What shall we say then? [Is] the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: …"

If we didn’t have the law, we would have no knowledge of sin. The law is necessary both for our salvation and our Christian living.  God’s Word (the AV 1611 King James Bible) clearly tells us that women who wear those things that pertain to a man are an abomination to God. 

That word abomination is a very serious word that means extreme hatred; loathing.  God feels very seriously about the way we women dress - it’s nothing to take lightly. 

Now I am not about to get into a lengthy study on the various garments of Bible times. As far as I’m concerned, it is irrelevant.  The Bible plainly tells us not to dress like men.  Have you ever once considered the origin of women wearing pants?  How about a little history lesson, shall we?

The introduction of women wearing pants didn’t come about till early in the 20th century.  For six thousand years, women wore long, flowing robes or dresses.  It wasn’t until women entered the work force that they also donned men’s garments.  Ironic that when women decided to rebel against God, step out from under the headship of their fathers or husbands and compete with men in the work force, that they began dressing like men!  Sort of a two-for-one rebellion. (an interesting article on the history of dress can be found here.

The word for garment in this verse is ‘simlah’ which means a dress, especially a mantle.  According to Easton’s Bible Dictionary, a mantle means a loose flowing robe.    I know, I know, you don’t like that, do you?  I’m sorry - it’s all there in black and white for you to research yourself if you’d like.

II.  I 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;  10But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

Oh good, we’re in the New Testament now.   I’m sorry sister, it doesn’t get much better for your britches in the NT either.   Let’s start by defining a few words.  We probably all think that we know what ‘modest’ means but it’s nearly unfathomable just how far we’ve come as a society from the true meaning of that world. 

Modest means not forward or bold; not lewd; moderate; not excessive or extreme. After reading the definition, you might just breath a sigh of relief and say “well, my blue jeans certainly make the cut.”  Not so fast J  Moving on to apparel, which is defined as clothing; vesture; dress. Nice and generic until you dig just a bit deeper. The word for ‘apparel’ in the KJB is katastole which means a letting down…of dress.  Last I checked, you didn’t ‘let down’ a pair of pants - you pulled them up.  Also in Gill’s commentary on the Bible, he states that “the word rendered apparel signifies a long robe which reaches to the feet.  My, how far we’ve come!

III.  So what is modest?

    We can easily see from the above verses that the wearing of pants and even ‘culottes’ are not considered by the Lord to be modest but you know what, that doesn’t automatically assume that all dresses are modest either.  I’ve seen women come to church in dresses that made be blush.  So establishing that women should dress like women and not men isn’t enough to cover the subject of modesty.   See, there is an interesting verse in the Bible that says:

Proverbs 7:10   And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.  

Let’s take a few moments to examine these two phrases. First, the attire of an harlot.   She must be wearing something different from the decent women of her day because her clothing defined her.  What does a harlot wear?  I’m sure that through the years, her clothing has changed but the purpose of those articles have not changed. A harlot:

        1. Dresses to draw attention to herself
         2.  Accentuates parts of her body so that men will lust after her.
        3. Dresses to be desired and sought after

If those three things don’t describe how most of our young American women dress these days, I don’t know what does. Mama, what are you thinking allowing your daughters to go about dressed like harlots with their shirts so tight you can see the outline of their undergarments?  Pants that hug their backsides?   Skirts so short they have to be careful not to bend down. For what purpose do you think they wear these things?  To fit in, to be sure but ultimately, it is to get attention from the opposite sex.  And attention they will get.  Have you ever heard the expression, “If it ain’t for sale, don’t advertise it!”  Maybe it’s that their mama’s are setting a sorry example and the daughters are just walking in her footsteps? 

Just the other day, I went into the Dollar Tree and saw a mama with her two little Brittany Spears wanna-be's.  They were about 5 & 7 years old and they had makeup on so thickly that they looked like they were getting ready to go work a corner somewhere. It was NOT cute.  What on God's earth is that mother thinking?  What could she possibly think others thought?  If for no other reason than all the pedophiles and child abusers in our society, mothers need to get their heads out of the sand. God help our children!

The second thing we see is that a harlot is subtil of heart.  Subtil is defined as sly; cunning, insinuating.  This tells us that the women who is dressed like a harlot knows exactly why she’s dressed that way!  She isn’t fooling anyone. 

Modest attire does not draw attention to the female form.  It covers that which the Lord calls “naked’. If anything above your knee is showing while standing OR sitting (or working, bending, etc)  you are naked in the sight of God.  (Ex. 28:42).  I came to the conclusion a long time ago that if I had to adjust my clothing in order to sit down or be self-conscious when bending to pray at an altar, then it wasn't something I needed to be wearing.

But in all reality, we don’t need to get out a tape measure because covering your ‘nakedness’ is really just trying to conform to the letter of the law while missing the big picture entirely.  Have you ever seen a child who was told not to do something and then proceeds to push the limits just enough so as not to break the rule but see how much he can get away with? That is what the question of skirt length is like.  “How much can I get away with?” It’s not a matter of inches but intent .  What is in your heart?  Do you truly desire to please your Savior?

You can modestly and decently do just about any activity in a dress if it is long and full enough!  I have done everything from paint to ride a 4-wheeler and everything in between in a dress. If modesty is really a concern, wear some leggings underneath.  The purpose of dressing for our Savior is not to see how much we can get away with. 

Other things to consider are, how low is your blouse? Can you bend over in it?  Are any of your outer garments too clingy? Can you see the outline of your undergarments?  Does your skirt or shirt hug any particular area of your body?   Are you dressing to attract attention?  Maybe you should examine your motivation.

IV. How’s your heart?

Isaiah 4:1 And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.

    Sounds like they wanted their cake and to eat it to!

    Let’s take a moment to peak inside your heart.  Does reading the Scripture and seeing the truth that it contains upset you?  Maybe you should consider why that is.  God gives us instructions out of love for us and for our well-being.  God wants his daughters to be pure of heart and body, to set an example for a lost and dying world.  There are only two reasons why a Christian woman wouldn’t dress right.  The first being that she is ignorant of what God expects, but if you’ve read this far, you are no longer ignorant!  The second is that she has a heart problem. 

    Do you realize that if you know what is right to do and you don’t do it, it’s sin? 

James 4:17  Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

You are no longer have any excuses.  Generally though, the problem is not a lack of knowledge but rather an unwillingness to obey God’s Word.  See, doing the right thing can be a sacrifice. God’s Word calls us to be a living sacrifice for Him (Romans 12:1).  I don’t think Jesus was very comfortable being nailed to a cross in shame that we might be saved. The very least we can do is live for Him.

V.  Renew your mind!

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

All to often today Christians are more conformed than transformed.  They have adopted the world’s mentality of “if it feels good, do it.”  May I ask you, since when  does the world set the standard for God’s children?  The word conform is very telling. It means to be made to resemble, put on the form of.  If you go to the mall, the grocery store or a sporting event, what are the masses (the world) wearing?  Pants (or shorts).  It’s a sea of pants wearing, immodestly clad heathen and Christians want to blend right in with them. Is blending biblical? Of course not.  The Bible says we are to be a peculiar people (Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 2:9)

I hope this study has given you something to think about.  If nothing else, I want my girls to believe God’s Word - all of it - and I want them to know why they do.  In closing, may I ask….

This is from my good friend Karen, she is SO wise and so funny, too! I love her and she has been a good friend to me!!!  Thank you Karen!

~Kelly~

A PERSONAL AND CHURCHWIDE JOURNEY TO REVIVAL

PREPARING FOR YOUR LIFE-CHANGING JOURNEY

In spite of today's staggering moral decline, there are growing signs GOD is mightily touching His people. A rising number of believers and churches are seeing miraculous moves of GOD's Spirit. In fact, some churches are experiencing things so incredible only GOD can explain what is happening!

Yet, you may well ask, "If GOD is so mightily at work, why am I not experiencing His mighty presence and power? Why are other churches seeing such phenomenal moves of the Spirit and yet we are not?" The good news is you can experience GOD's mighty presence and power. GOD definitely wants to move in your life and your church!
However, there is a key requirement for experiencing GOD's power in your life and church. It is found in Isaiah 59:1-2: "Behold the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save: neither His ear heavy that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your GOD, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear."

My friend, do you see the crucial point? Though GOD is willing to touch His people unconfessed sin has blocked His mighty answers to prayer. In order to move in power, GOD requires deep cleansing and repentance among His people. Psalm 66:18 makes this crystal clear: "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the LORD will not hear me."

If our nation is to avert much-deserved judgement, believers must admit immediately return to the knowledge that GOD is infinitely holy. He simply will not move if unconfessed sin remains in the lives of His children! For this very reason, GOD seems distant to many believers. Because of unconfessed sin, crucial prayers go unanswered and countless believers live in defeat and pain. If you hope to experience GOD's mighty power and blessing, thorough daily confession is not an option, it is absolutely essential!

The sad reality is that many believers have confession times that are far too infrequent and shallow. Because we tend to quickly rush through confession times, many sins have "built up" between us and GOD. Usually we are not even aware how seriously the Holy Spirit is quenched in our lives. But do not despair! Through level of confession and cleansing that will utterly change your life. After all, GOD's Word will not return void!

Thank GOD for the rising number of believers who desire to purify their hearts. All across America, pastors are beginning to lead their congregations to embrace this biblical process of cleansing and repentence. Typically it is done in a specific period ranging from one week to forty days. Some churches ask discipleship training groups to pray and work through the Scripture guide. Still others ask all active church members to pray through the resources on their own. Many churches conclude the cleansing emphasis with churchwide revival meetings or solemn assemblies. {Though that is not required.} This resource is also designed to be a preparation tool for annual revival meetings. Regardless of the format used, when GOD's people experience full biblical repentance, the results are phenomenal! Whether the cleansing is churchwide, small group or individual, you will experience an awesome release of GOD's presence {James 4:8}.

In Isaiah 1:18, our loving Father is giving a glorious invitation to every person reading this Blog. "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD, though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

In 1 John 1:9, GOD gives a further promise, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Friend, there is no reason you cannot learn to experience GOD's total forgiveness and cleansing on a daily basis. A victorious relationship with GOD is not out of your reach!

No matter how much you've struggled, you can experience a miraculous cleansing and filling of GOD's Spirit! However, this will not happen with some brief, casual prayer time. The Psalmist says you must be willing to let GOD search your heart. "Search me, O GOD, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" {Psalm 139:23-24}.

Serious cleansing requires regularly getting alone with GOD for a thorough examination of your life. In the coming posts, you will discover a practical way any believer can experience deep daily cleansing. If you sincerely seek GOD through simple biblical process, He will totally revolutionize your life! Yet before you begin your journey, it is crucial to grasp the foundation of your victory over sin. That foundation is none other than JESUS CHRIST living in you!

Waiting on God...

Everyone longs to give themselves completely to someone, to have a deep relationship with another, to be loved thoroughly and exclusively.

But to His child, the Lord says: "No, not until you are satisfied, fulfilled, and content with being loved by Me; with giving yourself totally and unreservedly to Me to have an intensely personal relationship with Me alone, discovering that only in Me is your satisfaction to be found.

Only then will you be capable of the most perfect relationship that I have planned for you. "I want you to stop planning, stop wishing, and allow Me to give you the most thrilling plan existing… one that you cannot imagine (Proverbs 3:5-6).

I want you to have the best. Please allow Me to bring it to you. "You just keep watching Me. Keep experiencing the satisfaction that I am. Keep listening and learning the things that I tell you. Just waiting-that's all.

"Don't be anxious. Don't worry. Don't look around at all the things others have gotten or that I have given them. Don't look at all the things you think you want. Just keep looking up to Me.

"And then, when I know you are ready, I'll surprise you with a love far wonderful than any you would dream of. You see, I'm working at this moment to have you both ready at the same time. Until you are satisfied exclusively with Me, and the life I've given you, you won't be able to experience the love that exemplifies your relationship with Me.

"Dear one, I want you to have this most wonderful love, I want you to see in the flesh a picture of your relationship with Me, and to enjoy materially and concretely the everlasting union of beauty, perfection, and love that I offer you with myself. "Know that I love you utterly. Be satisfied in Me."

Win A Bum Genius Starter Kit...

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~Kelly~