I Timothy 2:9-10
8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; 9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness - with good works.
In verse 9 Paul says that "women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control". We may be tempted to dismiss that as old-fashioned, but there is wisdom in what he says. Paul continues in saying that women should adorn themselves "not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire" (verse 9) but "with good works" (verse 10). The point is to focus not on outward appearances but on the inner heart. Too often we get obsessed with how we look and trying to impress other people, and in the process can lose track of what is really important. Would you rather be a Mother Teresa or a super-model? The latter gets more temporary fame, but has less eternal impact. Our sexual obsessions are also externally focused. The reason it reduces people to an object is because we miss the heart of the person as we fixate on their visible characteristics.
Lord, help me to see past outer appearances and focus on what matters.
8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; 9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness - with good works.
In verse 9 Paul says that "women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control". We may be tempted to dismiss that as old-fashioned, but there is wisdom in what he says. Paul continues in saying that women should adorn themselves "not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire" (verse 9) but "with good works" (verse 10). The point is to focus not on outward appearances but on the inner heart. Too often we get obsessed with how we look and trying to impress other people, and in the process can lose track of what is really important. Would you rather be a Mother Teresa or a super-model? The latter gets more temporary fame, but has less eternal impact. Our sexual obsessions are also externally focused. The reason it reduces people to an object is because we miss the heart of the person as we fixate on their visible characteristics.
Lord, help me to see past outer appearances and focus on what matters.