Page 25 - No Apologies

or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the
imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of
God. For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used
to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands...

I Timothy 2:9-10
Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and
discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, but rather by
means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness.

As I observe girls and women, young and old, in the church today, I see that the
majority are giving much attention to external beauty and appearance, and very little
thought to that beauty that God commends. The apostles are expressing the mind of Christ.
In the eyes of Christ a woman’s beauty arises from within, from “the hidden person of the
heart.” The woman who aspires to godliness will be beautifully arrayed as she clothes
herself with a gentle and quiet spirit, with reverence and honor toward her husband, and
with good works.
Many girls and women today are like the Pharisees whom Christ condemned. They are
giving great attention to external appearances, but inwardly they are full of sin and
corruption.

Matthew 23:27-28
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs
which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and
all uncleanness.

Luke 11:39-41
“Now you Pharisees make the outside of the cup and dish clean, but your inward part
is full of greed and wickedness. Foolish ones! Did not He who made the outside
make the inside also?”

Yahweh searches the inner parts. He knows the thoughts of men and women. He
judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). What are the thoughts and
intentions that drive Christian women’s fashion and appearance choices today? Are they not
the same thoughts and intentions that motivate women in the world?
Let me phrase this question another way. What spirit is “inspiring” women in their
decisions relating to dress and appearance? The word “inspire” literally means “to put spirit
into.” In the world, the spirit driving the women’s fashion and beauty industries is the same
spirit observed in Jezebel thousands of years ago.

II Kings 9:30
Then Jehu went to Jezreel. When Jezebel heard about it, she painted her eyes,
arranged her hair and looked out of a window.

Jezebel was not a godly woman. Inwardly, her life had no beauty. The beauty of
Jezebel was strictly external. She adorned her flesh, coiffed her hair, and painted her eyes.
She put on expensive clothing, gold and jewels. Jezebel knew only one kind of adornment,