DCLM Higher Everyday 17 June 2024 — Decorous Dressing
Topic: Decorous Dressing
Text: 1 Timothy 2:9-10
9In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
10But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
Key Verse: “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array” (I Timothy 2:9).
Message
A decorous dressing is one that properly covers one’s nakedness. It not only covers one’s nakedness but makes one to appear smartly glorious and beautiful to the glory of God (Exodus 28:40-42). Dr. Luchestein remarks that, “The so-called crimes of passion are increasing alarmingly, and will continue to do so until the principal cause is eliminated. This seems to me to be the present style of dress, which to say the least, is immodest. Immodest dress has a direct bearing on crime incitation, no matter how innocent the wearer may be.”
In our text, the words modest, shamefacedness and sobriety jointly emphasize decorum. According to Collins Online Dictionary, “a woman can be described as modest when she avoids doing or wearing anything that might cause other people to have sexual lfeelings towards her.” Shamefacedness is another word for being very modest or while sobriety is being sober or serious, or refraining from excess. Dressing like harlots (Proverbs 7:10) to seduce others attracts divine punishment (Zephaniah 1:8). So dear one, dress smart and decent without appearing ostentatious.
Quote: Refraining from excess
Challenge: Glorify God in your dressing.
Prayer for today: Help me, Lord, to be decorous in dressing.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
