Catchy title right? Seems like I’ve heard that somewhere before….
;)
Last week we talked about the the work, attention to detail, and beauty that went into building the temple. We also talked about the fact that, according to 1 Corinthians 3:16, we are now the temple of God. If you would like to read the entire post, you can find it here.
I asked a question at the end of my post, “If I am the temple of God now, should I not take care to create a beautiful temple for Him?”.
This thought has been quite a struggle for me. There are many reasons….some have more to do with my own hang ups, but before we go there, let’s go to the Word of God and see what He has to say about this issue.
8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; 9 in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. 1 Timothy 2:8-10
My commentary suggests that lifting “holy hands” is the outward manifestation of a holy life. That is why the “in like manner” is present in verse 9. In the same way, women let your apparel reflect a holy life. The women Paul is addressing in this passage were dressing in two ways which were causing problems. Number one, some of these ladies were not dressing with “moderation.” According to my commentary, “moderation” here means they were not exhibiting self-control over their sexual passions. In short, they were dressing to catch the eye of the men. Number two, some of the women were dressing in such as way as to show off their wealth. Does this sound familiar to anyone but me? I almost feel like we are reading a commentary about our society, in which many women adorn themselves to catch the eye of a man, and/or to show off how much money(or credit) they have.
3 Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— 4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. 1Peter 3:3-4
Here, we see Peter addressing the issue of “outward adornment” but with a new issue. The issue seems to be a preoccupation with physical appearance and a lack of attention to inward beauty. Again, sound familiar?
So, let me see if I can capsulate my thoughts…. (ha! I tried)
I have struggled with this business of “outward adornment” for many years. Those of you who know me in real life know there is nothing I like better than a pair of khaki shorts and a t-shirt. I’m not sure why I settled into that exact routine. Perhaps because it was easy with so many little people running around. I can remember thinking, “If everything I own, matches everything else I own, at least I won’t go out looking like a dink…” Maybe it was easy and somewhat safe.
Fashion has never been my strong suit. Even as an adult I have attempted to look fashionable, and was actually laughed at, by other adult women for my attempts. So, yeah…I’m not in any big hurry to take a fashion risk.
But, a couple of weeks ago every time I passed the mirror in my bedroom I got frustrated. I didn’t like what I was seeing. I prayed about it, and it seemed like the Lord challenged me to take some time off from the khakis and change up my look. For me, that meant skirts. I mean, really, what could be more different from shorts and a tee than a skirt and a nice top? So for 2 weeks straight I wore nothing but skirts, and my nicest pair of capri pants. I learned a few things. Number one, I must have been looking pretty rough before hand, because even the cashiers at Publix noticed the difference. Number two, the skirts I own are way more comfortable than my shorts had been. Number three, I feel better about myself, and my appearance when I put a little more effort into it. Number four, I realized that the shorts I had been wearing for let’s see….4 years really aren’t all that flattering.
After a few weeks, a funny thing started to happen. I began to think, why am I giving this special attention to my appearance, when the only people who are seeing me is my kiddos and Mr. OverKill. Not to say I don’t like dressing up for Mr. Ok, but…it kind of seemed like a waste of time. That’s when the Lord started showing me these verses about the care that was put into building the temple….for glory and beauty… and I realized that I shouldn’t be adorning myself for me, or Mr. OK, or the cashier at Publix, but I should be adorning myself for the Lord and for His glory.
1 Samuel 16:7 – "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
Even with regards to our outward appearance, God is looking at our heart. Who are you trying to please (or displease) with your appearance? Are you adorning yourself to bring attention to you, or your figure, or your pocketbook? Are you so preoccupied with your appearance that all else fades, even Spiritual beauty? (And by you, I really mean us, you and me :)
Guess what? It happens, so fast, you won’t recognize the “beast” staring back you. Point and case, Sunday I was so excited because I finally found a shirt to go with a new skirt Mr. OK had bought for me. Not only that, but my Mom had given me a new pendant necklace that just polished off the entire outfit. Yeah! We got to church and Bubba got sick. Guess what my second or third thought was??? Why did I waste this outfit and all that effort fixing my hair to be at church for 5 minutes. Then, I was instantly convicted. I had quickly morphed from beauty into beast.
Sigh…. the Holy Spirit quickly reminded me that I am not adorning myself for my beauty and glory, but for His.