The World vs. Women

 The World vs. Women

 

There are many sad elements to the account of mankind’s fall in the Garden of Eden. The repercussions of these can be seen in the dysfunctions of the whole world and human nature today (n.b, God did not make man ‘human’ as such, meaning subject to decay. We became so after the fall in Eden.) One particularly sad element is the fact that Eve felt the need to take up Satan’s offer to become “as gods” (Genesis 3:5). Lucifer, when in Heaven, developed a delusion that he could somehow compete with God (Isaiah 14:14). Now in the form of a slick serpent, he convinced Eve to descend into the same delusion. To have such a covetous intention, Eve must not have realised how blessed she already was. Eve and Adam had the image of God, and therefore already possessed godly quality (Genesis 1:27)... What more could you want?

Now we see where this widespread female mind-set originates–our original mother, Eve. This mentality in many women of not being happy with themselves as they are or with what they have. Just look at the patterns of behaviour in women of the world. Always competing with one another, allowing envy and jealousy to arise if they see someone who is deemed as being ‘better’ than them. Nowhere is this more so evident than in the field of ‘beauty’. Even in the current time of economic decline, the cosmetic industry is thriving as women try to be more like others, especially the celebrity idols paraded before them in the media daily. Many black and Asian people are using skin bleaches. There are women who paint different faces on daily. Anorexia and bulimia is on the rise as females turn on their natural bodies. Why are ladies always trying to be something beyond what they’ve been made?

Thank God the women in the Church do not have to fall prey to these ideas. Thank God we know each and every one of us is precious and unique in God’s eyes and there is no need to ever feel inadequate. Thank God we know it is foolish to compare oneself with others (2 Corinth 10:12). Thank God, He blesses us individually with gifts (1 Corinth 12:4) and we do not need to feel in competition with anyone around us. Thank God He gives His Spirit freely and universally (Acts 11:17), and this is the same beauty to be displayed by every one of us (1 Peter 3:3-4). Thank God He (-most important) loves us unconditionally and gives us family, friends (Prov 17:17) and brethren who do the same; so we never need fall prey to insecurity. Thank God He teaches us that ‘godliness with contentment is great gain’ (1 Timothy 6:6) so we need never fall prey to covetousness.

Thank God the women of His fold realise their inherent preciousness and are too concerned in the real issues of His kingdom than who has a bigger house or smaller waist than them! Proverbs 18:22 says “whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing,’ so if having a woman in your life is such a ‘good thing,’ it must mean women are something special! Psalm 144:12 says “that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace.” Stones are steadfast and sturdy; women who are the stones in the house of God are not like the lost, insecure women of the world, who attempt to change under the pressures of every new passing fashion. Thank God we know we don’t have to live for the fleeting insignificance of our physical aspect (Proverbs 31:0 ‘...beauty is vain.’).

As a saint, you may observe and recognise the struggle of the women around you daily, battling with insecurity, broken esteem, weighed down by the pressures of this sin stained world...wearied by dysfunctional relationships...Why not tell them there is a God who loves them so wholly that He died for them? All the problems and dysfunctions we face are simply summed up in by sin. Its destruction started at Eden and it ends only when one comes to Jesus. Let them know He has made a way to set them free from the burdens they feel they are under and teach them they are a precious soul (whereas this world teaches them they are merely objects, to be desired and lusted after...just look at all the messages popular magazines bombard them with!). Also let them know Jesus offers a love and mercy so deep that everything else they are going through pales in insignificance against it.

In all the women of the world’s pursuit to be desirable and beautiful and attractive, there is a great irony: The irony is that there are fewer things more truly beautiful and really attractive than a godly woman who concerns herself with godly love and caring (Proverbs 31:10) and carries herself simply with grace and dignity. Also, instead of not being happy with herself and comparing herself with others, to the contrary, this kind of woman knows that what she’s already got is good (Provs 31:18)!

	Come Claim Christ’s Liberty!! 2 Corinthians 3:17

 

 

 

 

5 Reasons for Modesty

The word ‘modest’ is defined as being free from vanity and extravagance and showing regard for decency. It is normal for anyone to want to be respectable and decent. However, today the word ‘modest’ seems to have become a byword for out-dated values. Women of liberal social views say that those who follow rules for modesty as part of their faith are being stifled. Yet never before in general media have women been so cut down and de-valued. Women of faith who choose to dress conscious of modesty are practising liberty. They refuse to give in to the expectations that they perform as little more than objects of a strongly sexualized society. Purposely showing they don’t live to bow to the world's demands. 

Here are 5 more reasons why women of faith dress modestly:

1.       We live and interact in this world, but we don’t wish to follow all of its trends, as some of them are harmful. More and more, as sexual advertising increases, pornography and all the de-humanizing treatment of women that goes along with that, we want to show resistance to this downward spiral. Clothing in the stores is becoming more and more sex-focused. We are purposely showing our disagreement with the increasing eroticizing of everything.

2.       We want as much as possible for people to be attracted to us because of our character and not shallow physical reasons. We wish to avoid the draw of people who are only interested in a woman because they see and want them only physically.

3.       Whether in personal life, physically or socially, somehow there is a respectability about people who keep some things private and discreet. Whether it's personal business, secrets told in confidence and yes, even body parts! It is an interesting connection that few can deny. Having the discipline to to maintain discretion garners respect.

4.       We don’t want to be showy or extravagant; it is not the character of God.

5.       We want to show that every aspect of our being is wrapped up in God, even down to the way we express ourselves sartorially. We represent and shine for Him, not to be desired and admired for only self-seeking reasons.

Some great advice for a guide on modesty I’ve heard from a pastor’s wife goes something like this ‘if what you are wearing is drawing attention to your body, it is glorifying you and is sensual. But if it is allowing the attention to be drawn to your face, where the glory of God shines from, it is modest. 
You bring glory to Him.’

(scriptures: 

We are not of the world –John 15:19

We don’t follow all of the world’s fashions -Romans 12:2, 1 Peter 1:14

Our attractiveness comes from our behaviour – Proverbs 31:30, 1 Peter 2:9-10

It’s not good to wear things only to show off –Isaiah 3:16

It’s not good to wear things only to attract the wrong attentions– Ezekiel 2:40-42)