How Is A Christian Lady Supposed to Dress?

[emekrus]

“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness).” 1 Timothy 2: 9-10

At a particular time, as I studied my scripture, this very scripture above, struck a chord in my spirit (witness of the Spirit). But I’m so confused as to why so many Christian ladies neglect its application in their dress code.

Worse of all, so many Christian leaders seem to be silent concerning this particular scripture. You know, we still see so many Christian sisters, dress so worldly in aberration to the above scripture. We still see sisters wear immodest attires around, even to the Church.

We still see Christian women adorn themselves with gold, pearl (Jewelries). Braid (Plait) their hair. Even wear costly arrays, yet no one seems to see anything wrong with it, except a few leaders that I know.

It amazed me the most, that even when I talked to lady minister concerning this scripture, her only defense was that, it was the Apostle Paul’s peculiar perspective. Then she also added, that if I preached that kind of doctrine in my Church, that people will not come.

Yes, sure enough, I believe if I preach this doctrine in its unadulterated form, many sisters (even bothers) will stop coming-although I’m not interested in only quantity, but also in quality-But the question that I’ve kept battling with-and I’m yet to get satisfying answer to is…

These Christian leaders that are allowing the sisters in their Churches to dress as they like, without any form of instruction, especially from the above scripture, is it that God told them, he has changed his mind concerning that injunction from Paul?

Or do they also hold the same opinion with the female preacher I consulted, that it was only Paul’s opinion then, and that it does not apply now?

Well, I’m not here to display any form of holier-than-thou attitude. After all, I want to make heaven, and God has told me that the only way for me to be saved, is to give myself fully to the doctrines of the scripture and also teach them to others to be saved as well (1Timothy 4: 16).

So please, I’m not here for any form of argument. I want you to spiritually and scripturally ponder over this scripture above by the Holy Spirit in you, and give me your opinion.

Please, let’s lay aside other people’s commentaries, unless you deem it fit, by the Spirit. Pls, let’s speak as one who will give account of our words on the Day of Judgment.

Honestly and spiritually, what do you make of this scripture above?

I’m open-Hearted to Learn.

 

[Miri]

Gets popcorn out! Sorry couldn't resist

 

[Miri]

Ps I'm not mocking you personally, it's just there has been numerous
discussions on this already. You might want to search some of the
previous threads....or see what maybe happens here.

Welcome to CC by the way.

 

[breno785au]

You know, when I think about it, I would like to see christian women not all dolled up for church (or at any other time for that matter). At the churches i've been too, the women have dressed decently but some really pile on the make up and do their hair right up. Now i'm not saying it's a sin to do so, personally. But I say this for their own sakes that they would be comfortable with themselves to be able to be seen in public as God had made them.
When you see a woman, (or a man) who allows their holiness to be their beauty LIKE MY WIFE for example It's so much better.
Maybe it's just me and I generally prefer women to not wear make up? As in I don't find make up attractive.

Anyway, I hope you get my point.

 

[PoetMary]

I always find it interesting that men are so concerned about how women dress.

This is not to undercut the scriptures.

However, I can see how, from a pastor's point of view that a congregation might have bigger issues to deal with. I mean, if there are people suffering in a congregation, it might be more useful to encourage people to focus on meeting the needs of fellow members than on whether or not women braid their hair.

Plus, most of the posts about this revolve around "modesty" as a kind of sexualized issue and not regarding ostentation. Part of the problem with "immodest" dress as Paul describes it (lots of jewelry, costly garments, etc.) is that it creates a clear have vs. have not dynamic in a church. In other words, a meeting of Christians becomes a place where I can show off my beauty and possessions instead of a place where I can fellowship with others. Too much focus on outward appearance creates a sense of competition.

I know in the United States, there is a lot of cultural support for women competing with other women regarding beauty and possessions. It creates an environment of comparison that will either inspire envy or pride. Resisting THIS in a church environment could be very useful. If people are caught up in competing with fellow believers, then they are not going to be focused on the inner person. They're not going to be looking at the needs of others that they would potentially meet.

Paul's focus was really about trying to create a more egalitarian environment that was free from these externalized trappings. Plus, it's also a reminder to us that maybe we don't need another designer dress. Maybe we need to use our resources to help those in need around us.

 

[p_rehbein]

QUOTED:

These Christian leaders that are allowing the sisters in their Churches to dress as they like, without any form of instruction, especially from the above scripture, is it that God told them, he has changed his mind concerning that injunction from Paul?

Or do they also hold the same opinion with the female preacher I consulted, that it was only Paul’s opinion then, and that it does not apply now?

END QUOTATION:



Waiting patiently for all the "Grace only" people to show up and say:

"How a Christian Lady dresses has nothing to do with her salvation."

Waiting................

 

[ember]

gee I dunno?

In a burka maybe?

Yes I'm sure that would help....after all, muslim men never rape women so we know that burkas work

so up to here with how women should dress

I've been oogled even with a dress or skirt below my knees and a button up blouse on that you could not see through by 'Christian' men

So tired of the hypocrisy and these threads which are started by men 99% of the time

 

[JackRT]

Modesty in dress is very culturally conditioned. In some parts of the world a bare breasted woman in a sarong carrying a water jug on her head would not draw a second glance.

 

[Mitspa]

If your barn needs painting? Paint it....if it needs two coats of paint, give it two coats

1Ti 2:0 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.

 

[ember]

You know, when I think about it, I would like to see christian women not all dolled up for church (or at any other time for that matter). At the churches i've been too, the women have dressed decently but some really pile on the make up and do their hair right up. Now i'm not saying it's a sin to do so, personally. But I say this for their own sakes that they would be comfortable with themselves to be able to be seen in public as God had made them.
When you see a woman, (or a man) who allows their holiness to be their beauty LIKE MY WIFE for example It's so much better.
Maybe it's just me and I generally prefer women to not wear make up? As in I don't find make up attractive.

Anyway, I hope you get my point.

well good thing you and your wife met then, ay?

why is it that you think ALL women should copycat your wife?

Do you suppose all men should copycat what one Christian woman finds attractive?

do you hear yourself?

yes I'm ticked and I don't mind saying so because I find threads like these just open up a big can of worms and men start trying to make women be responsible for anything wrong they do...well alot of men anyway

and I hope you get my point too. right?

 

[breno785au]

well good thing you and your wife met then, ay?

why is it that you think ALL women should copycat your wife?

Do you suppose all men should copycat what one Christian woman finds attractive?

do you hear yourself?

yes I'm ticked and I don't mind saying so because I find threads like these just open up a big can of worms and men start trying to make women be responsible for anything wrong they do...well alot of men anyway

and I hope you get my point too. right?

Yeah, I get your point, I think understand why you would be ticked, discrimination perhaps? It's not about being attractive, i'm not looking for other women, I think women in general look better without wearing make up.

Did you notice i mentioned I don't think it's a sin or they are doing anything wrong?

But it's my opinion just as much as you have your own opinion.

Oh, I have a leigtimate question, are you pissed off with Paul for addressing how women should dress in gatherings, whose words are far stronger than my opinion and that he didn't address how men should dress?
I'm not being a smart arse asking that either.

 

[p_rehbein]

If your barn needs painting? Paint it....if it needs two coats of paint, give it two coats

1Ti 2:0 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.

Ephesians 2:8) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 .) Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Galatians 3:25) But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
26 .) For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
27 .) For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 .) There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 .) And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

 

[Mitspa]

Ephesians 2:8) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 .) Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Galatians 3:25) But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
26 .) For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
27 .) For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 .) There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 .) And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Not works of law...works of faith and love good works

 

[p_rehbein]

Not works of law...works of faith and love good works

So, Grace only applies to women if they keep the instructions of Paul, who said "isn't it even written in your Laws..?" Is Grace imparted to men and women on a different level?

Men need not heed the commandments of Christ, but women must heed the teachings of Paul concerning "traditions?"

 

[PoetMary]

Oh, I have a leigtimate question, are you pissed off with Paul for addressing how women should dress in gatherings, whose words are far stronger than my opinion and that he didn't address how men should dress? I'm not being a smart arse asking that either.

I have no problems with Paul or Pauline scriptures. I do have a problem with people beating others with their doctrine sticks.

Here's the problem I do have with these threads:

Why are the men so concerned about constantly telling women how they should act? Especially men that have no real authority over any of the women here? A pastor has authority over his congregation...given by God. A husband has authority over his wife and household...given by God.

Feel free to do a search on "modest dress" on these boards and find all the men who are constantly complaining about women and how women do things.

It's interesting to me.

I know in the United States there are serious issues at work regarding manhood and men within the Church. I find it interesting that men don't post on these issues. You never see boards where men complain about the lack of fathering occurring in modern society (and churches) and positing ideas about how they as Christian men can address these issues. (You know, stuff like men telling other men that they should step up and become mentors to children in families that lack fathers...that kind of thing).

Any boards regarding men being the right kind of husband are primarily started by women and quickly die on the vine. Men can't be bothered to instruct other men about how they should be more like Christ to their wives. In the family forum if a man posts about how his wife left him and he needs advice nearly every single response he gets will be from a woman. All these men who are so concerned with whether or not a woman should wear yoga pants can't be bothered to step up and help a brother in need.

So, you see all this on a pretty regular basis and here's the conclusion that could be drawn:

The problems with men are so significant and nuanced that they would rather shake their fingers at women and tell random women how they ought to be living than to step into leadership as a man and engage with these important issues that deal with men. Yeah, because those issues require self-examination.

It requires zero self-examination for a man to go on and on about how "women should do this and that" and "look at how women are screwing up churches," etc., ad nauseum.

As a postscript: There are lots and lots of great men on this site. Most of them are sick of this topic too...because they realize it's a bit of a red herring and a waste of time. Most of the men I interact with on this site do love God and are doing their very best to serve Him as He has called them. I do sometimes wish they would intervene with other men re: these discussions, but I understand why they don't. It's just tiresome.

 

[ember]

Yeah, I get your point, I think understand why you would be ticked, discrimination perhaps? It's not about being attractive, i'm not looking for other women, I think women in general look better without wearing make up.

Did you notice i mentioned I don't think it's a sin or they are doing anything wrong?

But it's my opinion just as much as you have your own opinion.

Oh, I have a leigtimate question, are you pissed off with Paul for addressing how women should dress in gatherings, whose words are far stronger than my opinion and that he didn't address how men should dress?
I'm not being a smart arse asking that either.

I stopped deciding to answer you when you wrote 'pissed off'...so I will leave you with this instead

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29

Your words do not bestow grace

BTW, my post was directed to YOU lumping all women together because of YOUR personal preferences...NOT Paul

 

[GracethroughfaithinChrist]

John 8:1-11
1Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. 2And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. 3And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, 4They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. 5Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? 6This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. 7So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. 8And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

Matthew 9:10-13
10And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. 11And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? 12But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. 13But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

1 Timothy 5 1-2
1Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; 2The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

To the OP,
Women are not our enemies even if they do not dress modestly, or if they wear make-up, or get their hair done. They are our sisters,wives, and mothers and without them we would be miserable here.
Don't be beguiled or mislead into foolish thinking.
Women like to be called beautiful because they are beautiful. Women like to hear us say we love them because they love us. Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus for making our best friends, wives,moms, daughters,and sisters with kind hearts and pretty faces.

Ephesians 5:25-33
25Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 30For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

 

[breno785au]

I stopped deciding to answer you when you wrote 'pissed off'...so I will leave you with this instead

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29

Your words do not bestow grace

BTW, my post was directed to YOU lumping all women together because of YOUR personal preferences...NOT Paul

You just answered my question Which is no, you are not.
Its my opinion just as much as you have your own. I think women look better without make up, im not making any demands or pointing any fingers. Dont take your offences out on me eh?

 

[ember]

You just answered my question Which is no, you are not.
Its my opinion just as much as you have your own. I think women look better without make up, im not making any demands or pointing any fingers. Dont take your offences out on me eh?

I dress modestly...my point is, that if a man is gonna lust, he is gonna lust

the really ugly evil thing, is men looking a woman up and own who IS dressed modestly and trying to imagine what she looks like under her modest clothes

sorry...you are not a woman and have not had that done...I have had that done and I want to punch the man in the nose while he is doing it

And I am talking about in church...and even a pastor a couple of times

I have been pretty decent looking...getting older so I guess the attention will fall off...but let me tell you...men are gonna do what men are gonna do until the Holy Spirit gets a hold of them and their wicked hearts

For sure women have wicked hearts too...but there is no purpose to this thread other then to discuss women

Men discussing women and women reacting defensively

I answered your question? Really? and how about your choice of words.....listen...don't go all holier then thou on me cause it ain't gonne cut the cheese

 

[p_rehbein]

I...but there is no purpose to this thread other then to discuss women

Men discussing women and women reacting defensively

Personally, I think women should react "offensively" and demand that Grace be extended to them just as men extend Grace to themselves...........but, that is just me I suspect.........

As I do not see a rush of Grace only men coming to the defense of women on this thread