KICKING OVER A SACRED COW. I have to talk about something that most women get highly offended about: clothing. I hear this all the time, “God does not care what you wear!” Keep lying to yourself and your daughters. If God does not care what you wear, then why don’t you just go naked? (I stole this from Ps Cary, but it’s a great argument.)

You don’t go naked because you know it’s wrong. So then, why is it not equally as wrong to show parts of your body that are not meant for public viewing? Go back to the Garden when Adam and Eve sinned. They tried to cover themselves, but it was not adequate coverage. God in His infinite wisdom had to provide an animal sacrifice (blood atonement) just to cover their nakedness:“Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.” Genesis‬ ‭3:7‬ ‭“Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.” Genesis‬ ‭3:21‬

‭God cares about what we wear and how we wear it. There was a blood atonement to cover man’s nakedness. Let that sink in for a minute. The apostle Paul in his letter to the young pastor Timothy, says that women should dress in a way that is “modest” and with “shamefacedness”. Let’s start with the first word. This word “modest” has to do in a way that’s not ostentatious and over the top. Think dressing like the queen of England to go to McDonalds and get a cheeseburger. The root word comes from a word that means “worldly”. Therefore, in a sense, it’s to not draw attention to yourself, as worldly women do. This is in direct alignment with OT Scripture concerning Israel’s woman. They were not to look, dress, or act like the pagan nations around them.

Now, I have to be very careful in how I teach this because some denominations have taken this to such a degree dictating what women can or cannot wear. I am not telling you a woman cannot wear jewelry or jeans; I wear both. “Modest” has more to do with how it’s worn then what is worn, if that makes sense. As a woman, I know when I am dressing to specifically draw attention to myself. I have learned through listening to the Holy Spirit and my husband, what is appropriate attire and what is not appropriate attire.

Ladies, we are not to dress in order to draw attention to ourselves. It’s going to look differently for each one. Chew on that for a bit. The second word that Paul uses is “shamefacedness”. This carries the idea of having downcast eyes; bashfulness toward men and having an awe and reverence toward God. A lot of newer translations leave out this word, but it is in the original. Some translations use the English word “decent”. Shamefacedness means exactly what you would think it means- in a way that is not drawing a man’s attention, specifically in a lustful or sexual manner. Women are not to expose their nakedness, hence to cover your comely parts. Don’t show cleavage or your mid section. I like to say, “cover your cracks”, top and bottom.

Ladies, your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. It belongs first to God and secondly to your husband. If your not married yet, save your skin for your spouse. Parents, you have an admonition from the Lord to keep your daughter covered. What has happened in the church that you are allowing your daughters to run around in skin tight clothes, revealing belly buttons and butt cheeks?

Fathers, where is your awe of God and protection for your daughters? You’re training your daughter to dress like a prostitute and ultimately to sin. Women are to dress in such a way to not cause a man to lust, otherwise SHE is in sin. Yes, a man must avert his eyes and yes, he is responsible for his own lust. Some men would lust if you wore a burka. However, why would you not want to protect your brother’s eyes? You are your brother’s keeper and you need to start viewing this as a sin.

Ultimately, we are to dress in a way and manner that shows respect and awe for a God who is Holy. Women (and men) should dress and look at themselves in a mirror and ask, “Is what I am wearing representing a Holy God?” When your teenage daughter goes shopping, what are you allowing her to buy? You are the parent. You are allowing your daughter to dress a certain way. And you are responsible to God for how you allow her to dress. God is holy and His people are to come out of the world and be holy- in all manner of life.

Women, you should take your dress seriously. God DOES care what you wear and you are representing a Holy and righteous God. Don’t get offended because I tell you the truth. Think on these things and adjust as needed. “And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.” Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” “I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty.”” II Corinthians‬ ‭6:16-18‬#runyourrace

To Learn More About Pastor Crystal please visit the Leadership Page