Shema has graciously offered to continue her series on Biblical Womanhood. This is the first installment of five. Note the ubiquitous use of Scripture. Good for you, Shema…
“It isn’t my fault if he lusts because of what I’m wearing. If he knows he has a problem with lust, then he shouldn’t look. He needs to take care of his own heart instead of worrying about what I do. I can wear whatever I want.”
This paraphrase expresses the opinion of a large, vocal percentage of Christian women that I’ve encountered over the past couple of years on a Christian forum that I frequent. The topic of appropriate attire for Christian women resurfaces from time to time, and a heated debate always ensues. Inevitably, the gist of the opinion cited above serves as the closing remark of numerous women, offended that others would admonish them for their choice in clothing and/or would attempt to stymie their freedom in Christ. While these women do make a valid point with respect to the responsibility of men, which I will touch upon in a later blog entry, the reasoning of their thinking overall does not line up with Scripture.
Before we delve further into the topic of appropriate female attire, we should first establish a Biblical background for this subject.
Let us start with the wisdom contained in Proverbs. From the beginning in Proverbs 1:1-7, the book puts forth the purpose of its contents:
“The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth— Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”Since we—hopefully—do not wish to be fools, let us learn more from God’s Word:
“I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.” (Proverbs 8:12)Wisdom and prudence inextricably link themselves together. By acquiring knowledge, which we find in and through God, one may exercise discretion.
Proverbs 3:13-18 highly esteems the acquisition and application of these qualities:
“Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed. The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew.”Shortly following those verses, the Proverb in verses 21-22 continues to press upon us the importance of acquiring and applying wisdom and discretion:
“My son, do not lose sight of these— keep sound wisdom and discretion, and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck.”We know that God grants these gifts to those who ask for them, for God wishes His children to possess, employ, and draw comfort from them.
“My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints. Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path; for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you, delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech, who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness, who rejoice in doing evil and delight in the perverseness of evil, men whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in their ways.” (Proverbs 2:1-15)James 1:5 also asserts that we derive wisdom from God:
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”Further, Philippians 1:8-10 reinforces the idea that God’s children should develop and apply knowledge and discernment in their lives:
“For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”We will add to this foundation in subsequent entries before we undertake the issue of appropriate female attire.
Proverbs 31:30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Thanks for returning, Shema. Wisdom is seeing the world as God does, and acting on it. Looking forward to what you have to say on this contentious subject.
Thank you for letting me, quixote. It’s a pleasure. Stellar definition of wisdom, by the way.
…Note his ubiquitous use of the word ubiquitous…
😀
“Stellar definition of wisdom, by the way.”
Be sure to thank Pastor Roger for me, then…
So I stopped by for a random visit, started reading this, and really kind of sat back and thought for a second. You know, one of the times where you get knocked out of your routine, given a punch you didn’t expect. So much of (a)theist blogging seems to revolve around this power struggle between two sides, a never-ending clash of opposites that — while occasionally beneficial to one’s philosophy and critical thinking skills — rarely comes to anything of lasting fruition in terms of encouragement or edification. One thing I like about certain “Christian” writers is the ability to really feed the mind, soul and spirit. Whereas the former is often full of conflict and “vain arguments over the meanings of words,” the latter can often yield truly healing properties. At times I wonder where atheists get their edification from. I know they get it, because we’re all human, I just wonder how.
Anyways, you have my full attention…
cl, thank you for your eloquent and thoughtful encouragement. I hope that subsequent entries will continue to hold your attention.