Page 26 - No Apologies

that of the outward, physical body. Tragically, many women in the church find inspiration
in the same spirit that inspired Jezebel. This was true in the days of Peter and Paul. If it
were not, they would have had no need to give the instructions they gave. In essence, they
said, “Don’t let your adornment be like Jezebel’s. Let your beauty be that of your spiritual
life.”
In the previous chapter we noted how rampant the spirit of Jezebel is by observing its
relationship to Christmas and Easter, the worship rites of Baal and Asherah. Consider now
how rampant this spirit is as its influence is seen in the attire and appearance of women in
society and in the church.
Fashion magazines are among the most popular genre of periodicals sold today.
Millions of women scour the pages of fashion magazines to get “inspired.” They want to find
some new way to make themselves appear attractive, seductive, successful, or powerful. In
America entire industries have arisen that are devoted to beauty care products, clothing
fashions and accessories, hair care, jewelry, fingernail and toenail painting, achieving the
perfect tan, body fragrances, etc.. In the present generation there has also arisen a
tremendous commerce in body piercing, tattoos, and cosmetic surgical procedures such as
breast augmentation, liposuction, Botox injections, face lifts, tummy tucks, and the list goes
on and on. Every year in America, tens of billions of dollars are spent as women seek to
make themselves outwardly beautiful, desirable, or impressive.
What spirit is behind this massive societal tsunami? It is not the Holy Spirit. Stand
outside most churches on a Sunday as the congregation leaves the building and observe the
sensual dress of the young girls and the adult women. Their plunging necklines, short
dresses, tight pants, high heels, hosiery, hairdos, cosmetics, painted fingernails and
toenails, perfume, ankle bracelets, earrings and other jewelry are all on display. Yet no one
notices Jezebel’s presence. No one protests the emphasis placed upon that which is physical,
sensual, and provocative.
A discerning appraisal of the practice of the majority of Christian women reveals that
the beauty they seek to project is external, rather than internal. Purity, innocence,
gentleness, humility, honor, and holiness are not the image most girls and women are
seeking to convey. They want to appear desirable, or powerful, or sophisticated. Their dress,
bodily array, and conduct are designed to elicit a response of admiration; to stir up sexual
desire in others; to promote an air of worldly success and glamour.
Sisters in Christ, I ask you to consider what motivates you in your choice of dress and
appearance? Have you searched the Scriptures, and prayed to the Father, to understand
what His will is for you? Or did you make your choices independently of God? Is your
appearance in conformity with this world, or do you walk as an alien and stranger in this
land?
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I have a lovely daughter who recently celebrated her 24 birthday. When Kristin was
fourteen she experienced a spiritual awakening in this area of her life. She began to consider
what Yahweh’s will was for her in the realm of dress and appearance. Formerly, Kristin had
always been what some would describe as a tomboy. Her favorite fashions were camouflage
shirts and pants, cowboy boots, and other fashions that are associated with masculinity.
When Kristin was fourteen, she became convicted as she studied the Scriptures that
she needed to begin wearing a covering over her long blonde hair. Soon after this she also
began wearing long skirts and dresses. Kristin has continued this practice to this day. She
is very modest in her appearance, and she is careful not to provoke lustful thoughts in men
by dressing sensually.