| Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or costly garments.|
1 Timothy 2:8
For the past several weeks our church has been discussing Worship. We are searching the word of God to answer the question, “How Does God Require us to Worship Him?” We desire to be obedient to God and His word. So we are asking questions. I am thankful God answers questions in His word. He does not leave us on our own wondering what He requires! He gives guidance and direction for His church to follow. ( 2 Timothy 3:16-17)
We all know when one question is asked millions follow. At least I have a ton of them! Because I am a woman, I have to ask, “What is my responsibility before God in worship?
You may ask,” What God requires for Worship includes both men and women, correct?” Yes! It does. However, there is one passage in Scripture that is written specifically to women in corporate worship. Because it does address women specifically the question must be asked, “What Should a Woman Wear to Worship?
What is the Purpose and Goal of Corporate Worship?
Before we discuss what women should wear in corporate worship, it may be helpful to know its purpose and goal. Our aim in corporate worship is to glorify God and enjoy Him, according to the directions He gives in His word. Both Psalm 100:2 and Hebrews 10:25, speak of the body of Christ as “assembling together” and “coming before Him, in joyful singing, serving, and praising Him with gladness.
The book of 1 Timothy also speaks of the assembling together as believers. Paul writes to Timothy giving instruction as to how the body should conduct themselves in corporate worship. He reminds us “the church” is the church of the living God, the pillar and the support of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15)
When we begin to see the importance that God places on Corporate worship it should send us to our knees and to His word seeking to know what He requires.
Are You A Woman Making a Claim to Godliness?
Do you desire to know God, the truths of His Word, and please Him in corporate Worship? If you answered yes to these three questions, stop now, pray and ask God to search your heart. We can think we desire these things, but our heart can be far from Him. We know our hearts are desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9) The world, the deceitfulness of sin, and the lies of Satan can lull us to sleep. We may think we are worshipping in Spirit and in truth but be far from it.
Desire is not just a noun it is a verb! Desire works to know what God says through prayer, reading and the study of His word. Today, I find myself back to His Word desiring to understand deeper truths about:
- Women in Corporate worship,
- Modesty, and its Biblical definition.
A true woman of God is being sanctified. The Word of God tells us, He who began the good work of sanctification will carry it on to completion. (Philippians 1:6) When Christ returns for His bride sanctification will be completed. Until then you and I are a work in progress! Ladies, we need to be checking our progress!
What Does A Godly Woman Wear to Corporate Worship?
This is one question that has been asked and debated for decades. I could bring together a group of men and women, ask this question and get as many answers as there are people. You know why the question is asked and debated? Because God says very little about the “clothing,” a woman should wear. I believe God aims at the attitude of our hearts. If our attitude toward God is one of humility, respect, love, and honor the clothing we choose will reflect that.
Still Need More?
Both 1 Timothy 2:9-10 and 1 Peter 3:3-4 give the woman of God some guidelines on clothing. When we read the passages side by side, they seem to contradict each other. But you can rest assured they do not. God’s word never contradicts itself. You and I just have the work of unpacking them.
According to 1 Peter 3:3, braiding of the hair, and the wearing of gold is not forbidden. In 1 Timothy 2:9 it seems that Paul is saying we should not braid our hair nor wear gold or pearls. One is the context of the home (1 Peter 3:3) the other is in the context of corporate worship. (1 Timothy 2:9-10) However, both passages aim at our hearts. They fit together nicely, and the link that connects them is the hidden person of the heart.
Adorn the Hidden Person
Adorn the person within. A woman of God should seek to cloth herself in righteousness, not the latest fashions. The Gentiles, the worldly thinkers, the unbelievers, seek these things. (Matthew 6:32) Jesus says to seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33) What is Jesus talking about? Food, drink, and clothing.
Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life. (Proverbs 4:23) All the actions of life, our thoughts, the way we dress, our conduct flows from the heart.
Proper Clothing For the godly Woman
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. (Proverbs 9:10) When the woman of God cultivates a heart that fears the Lord she will seek to learn what clothing is proper to wear for the glory of God. Her dress will be modest and discreet which is proper for a woman making a claim to godliness. Modest clothing, born from a modest heart, does not draw attention to the woman but away from her to Christ.
When the woman of God dresses her heart properly, from it will flow modesty and humility, resulting in honor of God, herself, and her brothers and sisters in Christ.
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