FAITH

Today in Sunday School I taught the Matthew 15/Mark 7 account of the Canaanite/Syrophonean woman who had a demon-possessed daughter (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matt%2015:21-28&version=NIV). There are varied applications. Scripture never just teaches one lesson though its words, but for the sake of time – teachers often have to choose just one slant. The Lord impressed upon me the woman’s faith.

I ask myself often. What doe faith really look like? What does faith feel like? We know from Hebrews 11:6 that “without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him (NIV).” This woman, though a Canaanite, with no claim on the Jewish Messiah was told she had “great faith (Matt 15:28).”

As I prayed about how to apply this passage to my students the following points came out:

God is pleased when we come boldly before Him with our requests, unrelenting in the silence. There are many times that I feel like a nag. I come before the Lord in prayer, and I’m afraid He’s gonna say something like, “Oh great, here comes Jessica again with the SAME request… I wish she’s just get something new to talk with me about.” But that feeling on my part is not truth. We are commanded to bring our requests and anxieties before the Lord (Phil 4; I Peter 5:7). We see in Jesus’ ministry that He is pleased when people bring their requests. He doesn’t turn them away or say that they’re foolish for asking. That is, until we get to this miracle. This is the one passage where Jesus seems to have a disregard for someone’s request, but when studied deeper, we see that Jesus was teaching his disciples (and the early church made up of Hellenistic Jews and the Roman church of split ethnicity) important lessons about their ethnocentricity, gender bias, and FAITH. Jesus knew how the woman would respond, and He tested her in such a way that her faith (and quick wit) would shine for all eternity!

Which are we more afraid of: looking like a fool, or being someone of little faith? I commonly think of myself as one of little faith – so maybe I should concentrate on not looking like a fool. NOT. Faith is our belief system working itself out through actions. The Mark account of the story tells us that Jesus was in a house, kinda hiding out from the throngs of people who had been constantly swarming Him. Somehow, this Canaanite woman finds out where He is and comes begging that He heal her daughter. This woman, made a pretty big fool of herself. She bursts into someone else’s home, crashing a party of primarily men in a society of strict social codes – women didn’t talk to men. But these were not just any men, these were men of another race, and not just men of another race – this was a VERY popular teacher, with his select group of disciples, on a vacation of sorts. She was aware of all this as we can tell by the title she addresses Him by, “Lord, Son of David.” So, she arrives on the scene. Perhaps she was banging on windows or doors or walls until someone finally let her into the house. Whatever she’s doing – she’s making a scene, and the disciples are annoyed, and Jesus ignores her. At this point, I give up. I look like an idiot. I’ve asked for help, and I’ve been ignored. She continues until Jesus responds, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel… It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs (Matt 15:24, 26 NIV).” After being ignored, that sounds like flat out rejection. Yet, she still persists, though now humbly and wisely, “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table (Matt15:27 NIV).” I can just see Jesus smile as He replies, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted (Matt 15:18 NIV),” performing the only exorcism at a distance of His earthly ministry (every other time Jesus was present with the possessed person).

I ask myself (and you), when was the last time I looked like a fool for my faith? Does your faith spur you to actions that look foolish the eyes of the world and perhaps many other believers? I would argue – looking foolish is part of being faithful (Hebrews 11).

Faith isn’t always a feeling of peace or calmness, sometimes it FEELS like terror, pain, or longing that is gripping to the one thing that can save. When I hear the word “faith” the emotion that I presume to go with it is peace or calmness. Que Sera Sera. And sometimes that is what faith should feel like, but not today, not in this passage. Here we have a woman who is completely distraught crying out for mercy over the condition of her daughter – THAT IS FAITH. Not because of her emotional attitude, but because of WHO she is crying out to. She recognizes that Jesus has the answers she needs, so she takes her pain, her grief, her despair to Him, knowing that He could answer. He applauds, “Dear women, YOU have great faith!”

Our faith has to rest completely in Christ. Only He has the answers we seek. As I drove home from small groups tonight, I was still chewing on the application from the lesson this morning. How are we to bring our requests to the Lord, without becoming consumed with desire for the REQUEST? The answer lies in what we cling to. Am it clinging to my request, hoping He’ll intervene if I cry loud enough (picture a child sitting, holding a broken toy, screaming for it to be fixed – but the kid won’t let go). Or am I holding on to CHRIST – resting in Him for answers (picture holding onto His ankles, with the toy laying loose at his feet).

Only Christ has the answers. How often do I get tired of seeking, or just don’t believe He’ll answer, and decide that I’ll take care of my problem myself. I’ve prayed about this for (amount of time), and no answer* – maybe that’s my cue to handle the problem on my own after all “God helps those who help themselves**” right? Not so. God doesn’t give us a time limit in scripture for how long we are to bring out requests. We are simply commanded to bring them. If you are anxious, or concerned about something – you bring it to Him, period. You may bring it a billion times, fine, bring it on. Because in the end, we should find ourselves clinging to His feet in worship. “And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace (Helen Lemmel, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus).”

*NOTE: When God says, “NO” that is still an answer. It can be appealed, but should also be headed as an answer. I’m talking about the times when God is silent.

**NOTE: This is a quote from Benjamin Franklin. I’ve been told by a church goer that it is in the Bible. It is not, in fact, scripture teaches quite the opposite. God helps those who CANNOT help themselves.

Pleased with ME?

A wonderful strange thought was given to me tonight. God is pleased with me. It is really hard to stomach that thought. God is PLEASED with me? When He looks on me it brings Him pleasure. Why? Because, I am covered with His Son's precious blood. Not a speck of my sin or short-comings to be bound, only Christ's righteousness given to me, clothing me.

Now, this realization is hugely important. I have been seeking to Love God more in both quantity and purity. But, I've felt so down-trodden in much of my spiritual life recently. I need to pray more, witness more, fast more, study and read the Word more, tithe more joyfully, witness more, pray less selfishly, have a pure heart and desires, serve those around me, witness more, minister in my church, bear the burdens of my friends and roommate... While I'm doing all thay I still need to go to class and chapel, do my homework as unto the Lord, serving in my job as though ministering to Him directly, go grocery shopping, clean, physically rest according to Genesis 2, eat healthily, exercise, keep healthy relationships, manage my finances, take proper care of my possessions (i.e. actually get the oil changed in my car), etc. and so on. *sigh* I'm exhausted, and this list doesn't even include spiritual traits I should be nurturing: patience, love, gentleness, mercy, long suffering, goodness, kindness, self-control...

I am told that I should do all these out of love for the Lord, but I don't feel the love - I'm exhausted. And if I don't feel the love, then am I just playing a charade trying to win His favor? How do I know if my heart was pure anyway? How do I know if I've succeeded in pleasing Him?

Driving home from wok tonight, I choose not to play music because I wanted to just chat with the Lord. The thought came to me, "See, THIS pleases the Lord." What? This? But I'm doing SO little with my life?!

Through my devotions another thought was given to me, "Jessica, you cannot feel love for someone who is constantly displeased with you!" I realized, my view of God is getting in the way of my LOVE for God. He is not constantly disappointed in me. He is not critiquing everything I do in some diabolical, perfectionist way. NO! He loves me purely and wholly. When He looks at me, I am covered. There is NO condemnation. He is PLEASED with me!!

Talk about freedom! It is easy to serve and lavish love upon One who is pleased with me, who is excited by my efforts. This is not a burden, but a blessing and a privilege!

What are we ACTUALLY doing in our ministry to women?

Originally written - Sunday, November 1, 2009 on Facebook.

I was speaking with someone today about my gifting and calling in life. She commented that I mentioned a year ago that I don’t feel like I’m especially gifted in Women’s Ministries, this was a concern for her because I am considering helping a church plant with their ministry to women.

Let me clarify. There is a profound difference between 'Women’s Ministries' and 'Ministry to Women.' Now, this sounds like I'm splitting semantic hairs (if you don't like the names I'm using, come up with your own, but recognize the difference between them). We must understand that the difference between the two is not necessarily in the outcome (what actually gets done) but in the philosophy on which the ministry is built.

I have found Women’s Ministries are generally social or problem based ministries (like youthgroups can slip into being based on games/entertainment and socializing). As a Women’s Ministry major in college, I noticed that 75% of my women’s ministry classes dealt with the issues women have (depression, self harm, birth control, etc) or on social networking/family life (how to bake a pie, have a party, decorate your house, etc). I have felt that Women’s Ministry programs can create a inaccurate and ungodly view of women in the subconscious minds both men and women. A man (fellow Hebrew class mate) actually spoke the following words to me after seeing a poster for "Girl's Night" on campus, “What is wrong with girls? All the ‘girl’s nights’ are about depression, self harm, etc. Do you girls really have all these issues?” This view can come about because of the LEADERSHIP’s approach to ministry in regards to women. As a female, my main ministry in the church will be with women, teenagers, and perhaps children. But I will never run a “women’s ministry” program.

I realized as I was talking with my friend, that I had misspoken a year earlier (out of my own lack of understanding the complexity of the issue). I had said I was not gifted at Women’s Ministries – this I will still hold. But Women’s Ministries is far different than Ministry to Women.

If we are to minister the women in our churches, we must do it from a Bible base. I am not a Women’s Ministry director, I am a Bible teacher. Those in leadership of churches must realize the difference. We have to bring the WORD of God to be the central point of ALL our ministry, for men, women, children, singles, married, etc. We must not, cannot, let the issues of the world and the relational nature of those to whom we are ministering distract us from that focus. Do we want our women to be issue free and socially fulfilled? Or do we want them to love the LORD with all their hearts, souls, and minds, and love their neighbors as themselves?

Now, I am NOT saying some of the trappings that often accompany women’s ministries are bad (tea parties, social gatherings, moms’ groups, counseling). Those are often an enjoyable part of feminine life. What is bad, is the underlying philosophy that says THOSE are what women need. Churches are built on the Word, and as the church ministers to its women – those ministries must be Bibliocentric! Use the outer trapping, use women’s social bents, and domestic creativity (God created us that way) to minister more effectively, BUT base everything, and keep the focus on teaching and expounding the Word of God! Never, EVER, loose that.

Certainty

Certainty is something we grasp for, we long to know. But certainty is an aberration born from our need for security, safety, and love. Circumstances are allowed into our lives which remind us that we are not in control. Circumstances over which, we are powerless. We cannot make them right, we cannot make the mountain move. Yet, we want certainty that the mountain will move, and wrongs will be made right. We want to know that we will be ok. We want to know that life is not just pain after pain. We want to hear a voice saying – “you’ll never be alone,” because deep down we feel so powerless, so alone, so unable and helpless. Yet, as strong individuals – we rebel against such feelings and grasp for whatever certainty we can hold onto.

Well my dear ones, there is certainty we can hold on to. The following things won’t give specific answers to your problems, but you’ll find that you don’t need those answers. That which we grasp onto for certainty is that which cannot be moved or shaken, yet can be entreated and warmed.
Points of certainty:

There is no condemnation

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Jeshua the Messiah (Romans 8:1).” I mention this first as a reminder that God does not view us the way we view ourselves. When I am grasping for certainty, most often there is some obvious (at least to me) sin in my life: anxiety, mis-trust, anger, covetousness. This verse is not an excuse for sin, but rather a comfort. As believers who hate sin and despise every evidence of it in ourselves, it is easy to get caught up in a view of self that is defined by the sin we see most clearly at the moment. Yet the Psalmist reminds us: “As far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us (Psalm 103:10).” When God views us, He doesn’t see our sin. He doesn’t look at us with the condemnation we would hold for ourselves. He sees nothing but his beautiful, fresh out of the tub children, and smiles as He reaches out to hold us.

Nothing can separate us from God

“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one. (John 10:28-30)” There is not one pair of divine hands holding us, but two. We are doubly protected and cared for, so precious that Jeshua does not only hold us Himself, but the Father wraps His arms around us in comfort and joy. Our Father continues in Roman’s 8, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? … For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor power, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of Jeshua the Messiah our Lord (35-39).” Since we cannot be separated from Him, He will always be with us. “I will never leave you nor forsake you (Heb 13:5b),” “I am with you always, to the end of the age (Matt 28:20).” But what does this mean practically? God being “with us” is an abstract concept – we don’t actually see or feel his presence.

El Roi

An Egyptian slave girl named Him, “You are the God who sees me – ‘el roi” (Gen 16:13). Later Abraham names a mountain “The LORD will see – ‘adoni jireh” (Gen 22:14), which is commonly translated “The LORD provides.” The Hebrew root in both words is the same, “ra’ah,” meaning “he saw.” David in Psalm 139:7-12 says, “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,’ even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.” I quote all that to make one simple point: God sees you. How often do I feel invisible, as though the Lord does not see my life, my pain, my service – and yet that is not true! He is El Roi, Adoni Jireh. Not only has He seen in the past – He will continue to do so in the future no matter where I am, no matter where I go – He is watching. Not a sparrow can die, not a blade of grass can fall without His notice, and we truly are much more valuable than they (Matt 6).

We are loved

A God who always sees us would be terrifying if He was not a God of love (or if we have not chosen to repent). And He is such a God of love, “being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us (Eph 2:4)” But concretely, what does that mean – a “God of love.” Scripture gives us a beautiful definition of Agape love: “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away...So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love (I Cor 13:4-8, 13).” This passage does not merely describe the love we should have one-to-another, but it describes just a glimmer of the love God has for us.

Purpose

In His love for us, He saved us – and foreordained a purpose for us. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before hand, that we should walk in them (Eph 2:10).” This verse then states that we are not purposeless beings sent to wander the earth aimlessly in search of. . . something. We are placed here with a purpose, and gifted in such a way as to accomplish that purpose. God will provide for our needs in accordance with what He has for us to do. None of us is put on this earth for no reason we can take comfort in our purposefulness which God has taken centuries to work out in each of us, as He kept us safe and molded us – but not only us. He brought our parents together, our grandparents – saving them and preserving them through the situations of life so that someday YOU and I would be here. And someday, if the Lord wills, He will give us children, for whom He has a purpose also. Our lives will be a reflection of his foreordained care and love for that new person who is going to do great things for HIM!

Provides for needs

This is the one I struggle with the most. Perhaps because I’m so used to it – and He as provided for me throughout my life in ways I take for granted and don’t even notice. I have an amazing loving family with AWESOME parents (who are becoming very close friends as I age), great siblings, a stable, loving environment when I’ve been nurtured, comforted, corrected, and taught love, wisdom and compassion. I’ve always had food – and plenty of wonderfully prepared nutritionally thought out food. I have had a stellar education – which fit who I am perfectly: homeschooled through high school so that I could learn my way, in college I had great professors who changed my view of the world, opened new doors, and invested in me personally, in grad school I had friends and mentors who pulled me through. I have a church family, who cares and sees me as God made me, and accepts that. Yet, when faced with an uncertain future – I fear the worst – that God will forget me, leave me behind, shelve me for someone/thing else. This makes no logical or spiritual sense – He is the provider as seen through the whole of Scripture – and as I have unwittingly experienced my ENTIRE life while taking it all for granted. Will His character suddenly change? Will He suddenly abandon my, and my hopes and dreams, out of carelessness or spite? NO. He is the same, yesterday, today and forever. He won’t change is character, His plan, or His will (which is FOR us, not against). “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble (Matthew 6:25-34).”

Suffering

Suffering is also a certainty. This is the one of which we are all terribly afraid. Suffering equals pain. Pain is not a natural part of the created world – it entered with sin. It is easy to live life afraid of, and avoiding suffering. Yet, it will come in dramatic ways (the loss of a spouse, child, parent, job, country) or seemingly small insignificant ways (loneness, boredom, bad grades). Some are brought on by our own actions; others forced upon us. We all react to suffering differently, and what may be huge to one person isn’t even suffering to another, and what one person views as a tiny thing, can rock the world of his friend. I do not understand why God would choose suffering as a primary agent of change and growth in our lives – but He does. So, all the more, in the middle of suffering, the above certainties are still true – still valid, and must be held onto. God does not allow suffering out of his own pleasure or vindictive power. He allows it out of His goodness and love. Because, through His divine will – suffering is how mankind gains depth and maturity. As you suffer – you will start to recognize this and notice it in yourself and others. As you do – the pain will lessen, slightly.

Elisabeth Elliot in her book “A Path Through Suffering” gives the following reasons for suffering, may they comfort your soul:
First, we suffer FOR OUR OWN SAKE:
That we may learn who God is (Ps 46:1; Dn 4:24-37; Job)
That we my learn to trust (2 Cor 1:8-9)
That we may learn to oben (Ps 119:67, 71)
Discipline is proof of the Father’s love and the validity of our sonship (Heb 12:5-11)
It is the condition of discipleship (Acts 14:22; Lk 14:26-27, 33)
It is required of soldiers (2 Tim 2:4)
We are being “pruned” the we may bear fruit (Jn 15:2)
That we may be shaped to the image of Christ (Rom 8:29)
To qualify us to be fellow-hears with Christ (Rom 8:17)
To qualify us for the kingdom of God (2 Thes 1:4-5)
To qualify us to reign with Christ (2 Tim 2:12)
That our faith may be strengthened (Jas 1:3; 2 Thes 1:4-5; Acts 14:22)
That faith may be tested and refined (Is 43:2; Dn 11:35; Mal 3:2; 1 Cor 3:13; 1Pt 1:7)
That we may reach spiritual maturity (Jas 1:4)
Power comes to its full strength in weakness (2 Cor 12:9)
To produce in us endurance, character, hope (Rom 5:3-4)
To produce in us joy and generosity (2 Cor 8:2)

Second, we suffer FOR THE SAKE OF GOD’S PEOPLE:
That they may obtain salvation (2 Tim 2:10)
To give them courage (Phil 1:14)
That because of death working in us, life may work in them (2 Cor 4:12; Gal 4:13; 1 Jn 3:16)
That grace may extend to more (2 Cor 4:15)
That our generosity may bless others (2 Cor 8:2)

Third, we suffer FOR THE WORLD’S SAKE:
That it may be shown what love and obedience mean (Job; Jn 14:31; Mt 27:40-43)
That the life of [Jeshua] may be visible in ordinary human flesh (2 Cor 4:10)

Forth, we suffer FOR THE SAKE OF THE MESSIAH:
That we may be identified with Him in His crucifixion (Gal 2:20)
Suffering is the corollary of faith (Ps 44:22; Acts 9:16, 14:22; 2 Tm 3:12; Jn 15:18-21; 1 Thes 1:6, 3:4)
That we may share in His glory (Rom 8:17-18; Heb 2:9-10; 2 Cor 4:17)

Modesty - What's in it for me?

Modesty: What’s in it for me?

How would you respond if you were told that you should exercise because it would make your neighbors happier? What if you were taught that the importance of your daily devotions was to protect your sister’s spirituality? Often this same logic is used when teaching girls and women to dress modestly. When modesty is discussed, the church motivates as follows: “A woman should dress modestly, so that she does not make her brother in Christ stumble.” Though the Bible clearly teaches that we should not make a brother stumble, that is insufficient motivation. That our brothers in Christ can stumble when looking at an immodestly dressed women, should be a guide to the definition of what modesty is not the motivating factor. There are much greater reasons for a woman to dress modestly than to protect and please men. Modesty should not be a badge of masculine weakness but rather a showing of a woman’s desire to honor and please God.

How a women dresses is a reflection of who she is on the inside. She takes great care and thought deciding what to wear and how to present herself to the world. The mere act of dressing is in essence a plea to be known, or unknown. The clothes, which a women wears, are a form of communication with the world. “This is who I am. Appreciate me! Understand me!” Notice how a woman dresses, not the specifics of a particular day, but her general appearance (her lifestyle), and you will know much more about her.

Women were created by God in His image (Gen. 1:27). As image bearers, a woman most strongly reflects a different aspect of God than a man does. Women are drawn to beauty – they long to be beautiful. Women are relational - they long for deep heart connections. Women are communicative - they long to be known. But most of all, women long to be loved. They long to be valued - to have their infinite value proved to them. From these basic heart cries, comes the outflow of immodesty. It’s not what goes into a man that makes him unclean, but that which comes from the heart (Matt 15:17-18).

Immodesty is a symptom not the disease. When a woman (even young girls are women in training) dresses immodestly, that action comes from the outflow of what is in her heart. Yet, the religious world tries to treat the symptom rather than dealing with the heart of the problem. To ease the ripple effects of immodesty, most religious movements throw rules at the problem. If the problem of immodesty is to be conquered, then a woman’s heart must be sought and the issues of her heart resolved. External motivations are a legalistic temporary fix.
Let’s move logically backwards from the symptom to the heart. There are many different branches that could be taken, but her heart is the key to it all. What does this woman want so badly, that she is willing to dress the way she does? The world says, “If you want to be beautiful - this is how you must dress. If you want to be loved - this is what you must show to get the man’s attention.” This message comes through every means possible: television, movies, friends, family, celebrities, advertisements, magazines, etc. This indoctrination begins at the earliest of ages, and hits a young girl in her heart. The church is using only one selling point for modesty - and it doesn’t touch a woman’s heart. But our culture is training away proper modesty and putting in its stead brazen sensuality. See, immodesty has to be trained into a person (the exception being the youngest children, who are innocently without shame - as a flashback to creation).
* * *
In the Garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve sinned, they realized that they were naked and covered themselves. The Hebrew word for naked invokes an image of everything laid bare and open to sight. This was both a spiritual and physical nakedness. But since man’s physical being is more obvious - that must be dealt with as well as the spiritual. When sin came, Adam and Eve were still image bearers. Only now, the physical form of the image must be clothed.
They tried to cover themselves (Gen. 3:7). Literally, they just created loincloths; this Hebrew word, coverings, is used elsewhere for belts and girdles. Adam and Eve’s attempt at modesty was not sufficient. Note that it was after their attempt that they still say, “I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself (Gen. 3:10b).” Their sense of physical nakedness drove them to hide from God. From their point of view, their inadequate clothing became a barrier to their relationship with God.

God took down that barrier. God clothed man (Gen. 3:21). He promised a covering for the spiritual nakedness (“serpent/seed”) in the coming Messiah. He foreshadowed their redemption (shed blood). Then He dealt with the physical problem. Mankind cannot deal with the spiritual, unless the physical is taken care of. Prayer is very difficult, when the stomach is growling. Therefore, clothing, just like the rest of the world was not an invention of mankind, but of God which was made to remove the physical barrier to relationship with Him. Sadly, this last touch put on creation by God, is represented in Sunday school illustrations, flannelgraphs, and famous art as caveman-esque hides shapelessly draped over Adam and Eve without care or craftsmanship (the hair isn’t even removed). The God revealed throughout the whole of scripture would have given Adam and Eve beautiful, functional, long lasting, and symbolic clothes which reminded Adam and Eve continually of sin and holiness. This is the God Who wants women to dress modestly, not because of the surrounding world, but because of her relationship with Him.

Notice how in the Genesis 3 account, though the real problem was on the spiritual level,
Adam and Eve were so caught up in the physical symptom (their nakedness) that they couldn’t begin to deal with the spiritual issues. Whatever the heart problem that allowed them suddenly to feel shame at their nakedness; they only could focus on the physical nakedness. The religious world does that same thing with the modesty issue today. They fail to look past the physical symptom to the real cause, and issue in the heart of the woman. Just as Adam and Eve tried to cover themselves to deal with their new-found bareness, so today the issue becomes about the covering, not the person.

Humanity senses nakedness more clearly when that which is holy, or that which is perceived to be holy, is near. Women walking by the chapel at our county fair adjust their shirts so that less cleavage and midriff are showing. When a pastor or priest approaches, people are less comfortable in their immodest dress. In Israel the churches, synagogues, and mosques require shoulders, knees, stomachs, and cleavage to be covered- and provide scarves when necessary, or simply refuse entrance to both offending men and women. There is an innate response in man to holiness that includes covering oneself.

The believing woman has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and has the Holy Spirit in her. Dressing modestly should be an outflow of daily remembrance that she is justified, made righteous, holy, and that the holiness of the Messiah, Christ Jesus is what God sees when He sees her. She is not separated from God, but walks with Him daily. This should motivate her modesty.

When Jesus spoke about men’s visuality, He addressed the men, not the women (Matt.
5:27-30). Scripture does address modesty (Gen. 3; I Tim. 2:9-10; II Pet. 3:3-6), but it does not require modesty for the same reasons which today’s church requires it. Perhaps, scripture’s front door to the issue is ignored, because many think the more obvious back door is more important.

Rather, let us use the symptom of immodesty to plead with their hearts. Use teachings on modesty as a platform to show women God. They are seeking love and appreciation; they are looking and not finding. Use this topic to point them to the One Who loves them intimately and wholly. The One Who gave everything, not just for their body, but for their soul. The One Who can understand their deepest pains, and joys, and fears. The One Who desires a love relationship with them. Their modesty should be a reflection of His divine presence, and relationship with Him which consumes their lives. Modesty should not be a badge of masculine weakness but rather a symbol of the God who changes hearts and lives, and Who created women in His image: beautiful, relational, emotional. He is a God Who is real, and present. He is not a God with rules we must obey at the cost of feeling beautiful and loved. He is the source of true love unimaginable.
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Every woman wants to be precious and beautiful. But, physical beauty is perishable. We age and “beauty” fades away never to be retrieved. A woman cannot be beautiful forever, therefore, it seems, an aspect of her value will be lost. Peter and Paul both give away the secret to a precious imperishable beauty that will never fade. “But let [the adorning] be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price (I Peter 3:4).” Adornment is not looked down on, but rather as something good which pleases.

Paul, in I Timothy 2, deals more directly with modesty. The chapter starts with an injunction for prayer so that believers “may lead a quiet and peaceable life (I Tim 2:2).” It moves to dealing specifically with males and Paul commands that men pray everywhere “without wrath and doubting (I Tim 2:8).” Paul does not reiterate to the women the necessity of prayer. He rather addresses their adorning. “In like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefastness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works (I Tim 2:9-10).” Paul starts by dealing with the attitude of the women. They are to do all that he commands “in like manner (I Tim 2:9a)” to how the men were praying: “without wrath and doubting (I Tim 2:8a).”

After establishing the manner of attitude, Paul moves on to discuss firstly what they ought to be wearing. Notice the positive command “I will ... that women adorn themselves (I Tim 2:9b).” This word for “adorn” is the Greek word meaning to “embellish with honor, gain ,” to “make beautiful or attractive (Bauer 446).” It speaks of causing “something to be beautiful by decorating .” There is no injunction here against a woman making herself beautiful. A woman is actually instructed to make herself beautiful - by using “modest (KJV)” clothing.

Modest clothing in this text means that which is “moderate, well ordered ,” nicely arranged clothing. This adorning is to be done with “shamefastness (KJV),” which means (in the Greek) “modesty/respect .” It is a “quality of modesty - with the implication resulting in respect .” To be modest is to be respectable in dress . Alongside modesty, this adorning is to be accompanied by “sobriety (KJV).” This term does not speak to a state of soberness instead of drunkenness, but rather to “rationality, mental soundness” and “good judgment, moderation, self control .” Women are to think about how they dress, and to use their God given intellect to accompany their moderate clothing. Paul is commanding women to make themselves beautiful using well-ordered, put together clothing which is respectable and chosen out of good judgment.

These terms are contrasted with how women naturally go about making themselves beautiful. Natural women use “braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array (I Tim 2:9).” Paul doesn’t want a believing woman’s beauty to be dependent upon these man-made devices. He wants her to make herself beautiful “with good works” which “becometh women professing godliness (I Tim 2:10).” The word “becometh (KJV)” means to be “fitting, proper, right .” Paul wants the beauty of these women to be from their good works. This contrasts the elaborate hair, make-up, jewelry, and clothing, commonly employed even by believing women as their primary means of beauty.

Notice what Paul says about good works in Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Women are created and then saved for specific good works which God has already laid out of them to do. Therefore, it follows logically, that a woman’s outward physical appearance, her inward natural personality (as it is further sanctified), and cultural background are chosen for her by God, because of what He wants her, and her only, to do. God has specifically handmade each woman special for the tasks He has chosen her to do. What she looks like physically is not divorced from what she is created to do.

God made each woman in such a way that if He planned marriage for her, that a certain man would be attracted to her, and their children (whom He knows before they are born) would be ready for what He has them to do. The LORD made each woman so that, as she interacts with her environment according to the physical form and abilities He gave her, He could be most glorified. These good works, with which Godly women are to make themselves beautiful, are a predestined guarantee, a promise. There will never be a time in her life when a woman cannot make herself beautiful. Here He gives a hope of everlasting and increasing beauty.

Modesty is given to woman as a way to glorify God. It does not detract from beauty, but rather allows a woman’s true God given beauty to shine more brightly. In teaching women to dress modestly, one must see who women are, and what God desires for these who are so precious in His sight.
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NOTE TO WOMEN: Dear sisters, let us watch ourselves carefully. When we slide toward habits of immodest dress or attitude – let us ask ourselves: What is it that my heart craves so much, that I am adopting the world’s answer to my problem? What truth about God do I need to cling to? What relationship do I need to build?