Guide: Christian Walk

GOD’S PRINCIPLES ON DRESS:
HEALTH
- Nice fitting (not too loose) to not obstruct circulation – Tight Fitting clothes obstruct circulation of the blood. Skirts or dresses must not compress the waistline.
- Enough to cover skin to protect from cold – there must be no chance to chill
- Not too much clothes so that you will sweat – in warm countries, some people wear longsleeves or thick materials and it makes them sweat and this is not healthful. But in cold countries, one must make sure that the body is kept warm. It may require layers of clothes, warm enough to keep body temperature balance
- Enough to cover skin so as to not collect dust on the street – appropriate for tropical countries like Philippines is the length which is between knee and ankle. If a woman wears a skirt level on the knee, when she sits, the knee will be exposed and even portions of the thigh above the knee. Skirts that are too long tend to touch the ground when you sit and when you climb stairs, it will obstruct your steps.

MODESTY
- not drawing attention/simple – Anything that can cause others to stare at you. If you live in a country where the costumes are different from other cultures, modesty can be preserved by wearing what is common without compromising the principles of God. Example: our brethren in india wear Indian style of clothing but not those styles that are immodest. Or brethren in china wear Chinese style as long as it preserves modesty. We should not wear anything that will make us stick out. We need to blend in the crowd in simple, humble and modest style of clothes.
- skimpy clothes – showing too much skin
- tight fitting/shows the form of the body (can be shirt, skirt and skinny jeans)
- see through materials where you can see the skin
- gaudy design – unnecessary trimmings and weird designs
- bright colors which attracts the eyes or some bright colors hurt the eyes
- nonsense prints, designs and messages – words and phrases that doesn’t please God, clothes that copy Disney or movie stars
- no clothes – men walking around without shirt is immodesty and nudity
- appropriateness and becoming – to wear modest clothes appropriate for the time, purpose and place (example, reserve your Sabbath clothes for worship services and not to wear it for gardening, going to market, etc)

If we cause others to sin due to our immodesty:
Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and [that] he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. 

SOME IMMODEST CLOTHINGS:

SOME MODEST CLOTHES:

Question: Can women wear pants?
Answer: If the world introduces a style of clothing that preserves modesty whether it is of skirt, dress or pants, it is not sin to wear. Example, there are loose pants that are designed for women and they are not tight fitting therefore they do not cause others to sin. Thus, women can wear them for an appropriate errand or chores. We cannot confine to the idea that women should only wear dresses. There are modest clothes appropriate for gardening, some for riding motorcycles or horseback riding. Special clothes must also be reserved for Sabbath and should not be used for other chores and errands. Let everyone decide the clothes they have to wear as long as it is within the boundary of God’s principle of modesty for God has not picked one exact style of clothing for His people to wear.

 

JEWELRIES
Question: Are we glorifying God when we use cosmetics or colorful make-ups and wear jewelries?

Let us dig deeper and understand the truth behind putting on cosmetics or colorful make-up. When did these colorful make-up begin and what is the history behind jewelries.

After Jacob received the dream of the ladder, God told him to present his family before the Lord at the altar.

Genesis 35:1, And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother.

God wants to consecrate the family of Jacob but before they can be consecrated they have to give up certain things.

Listen to this,
Genesis 35:2-4        Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that [were] with him, Put away the strange gods that [are] among you, and be clean, and change your garments:  And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went.  And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which [were] in their hand, and [all their] earrings which [were] in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which [was] by Shechem.

The family of Jacob had copied the customs of the heathen land due to their too much tarrying there. There were pagan objects that had to be laid aside before they can present themselves in the presence of a holy God. So in verse 4 we can see these pagan objects as “strange gods and earrings in their ears.”

And in Judges 8:24, Ishmaelites wear earrings as well. They were unbelievers and not apart of the tribes of Israel and therefore not of God.

Judges 8:24 And Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you, that ye would give me every man the earrings of his prey. (For they had golden earrings, because they [were] Ishmaelites.)

So that’s a clear proof that pagans like Ishmaelites wore earrings and a believer like Jacob commanded his household to remove these pagan objects in order to face the true Living God of Israel, the Creator of the universe.

How did God react to their ornaments?
Ex 33:5-6 For the LORD had said unto Moses, Say unto the children of Israel, Ye are a stiffnecked people: I will come up into the midst of thee in a moment, and consume thee: therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto thee. And the children of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments by the mount Horeb.

Now, what is it to us?
1 Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

And what will God do in order to take away these things from these prideful women who wear such jewelries?
Isaiah 4:4 When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning. 

Revelation 17:3-4 “…and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.  And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication.”

So, this harlot woman or church is decked with ornaments while the comely and delicate woman or church of God is free from ornaments of any kind but that her true ornament is that which is “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.” 1 Peter 3:4

Furthermore, the bride of Christ wore no ornaments like that of the harlot woman or church. Revelation 12:1 tells us this woman is clothed with the sun. No ornaments at all compared to the harlot woman who was decked with gold and silver. 

Jewelries make you forget God
Hosea  2:13 And I will visit upon her the days of Baalim, wherein she burned incense to them, and she decked herself with her earrings and her jewels, and she went after her lovers, and forgat me, saith the LORD.

Isaiah 3:9, “The show of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide [it] not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves.”

WEDDING  RINGS
What about wedding ring? And what about my class ring which represents I am a senior or have finished my degree or my engagement ring which represents I am engaged and about to get married, etc? This is not what God is talking about in Isaiah 3:21.

First, a Christian’s life is not about what pleases self but what pleases God. We can justify all we want and say all things we want to excuse ourselves from wearing a piece of ring but this will not work in the sight of a Living God who has left a plain testimony for His people to follow. We have to find what pleases God regardless if it is not pleasing to self.

Okay, the ring that is a symbol of something; marriage, seniority, engagement, etc. Where in the Bible do we find any support for wearing a physical sign of marriage? Is there?

Nowhere in the Bible can we find any support regarding the wearing of a physical sign of marriage. However, we find some significant symbolism that the ring carries.
The ring, which has  a shape of a circle symbolizes eternity since it has no beginning or end
It is also a symbol of ownership or slavery. Since ring wraps around, it is a sign of ownership or slavery or subjection to a higher power.
It is a symbol of authority, wealth and position especially to ancient Roman world.

The wedding ring history can be traced back to the days of the Romans. In fact, the Roman Catholic Church says something…

The use of temples, and these dedicated to particular saints, and ornamented on occasions with branches of trees; incense, lamps, and candles; votive offerings on recovery from illness; holy water; asylums; holydays and seasons, use of calendars, processions, blessings on the fields; sacerdotal vestments, the tonsure, the ring in marriage, turning to the East, images at a later date, perhaps the ecclesiastical chant, and the Kyrie Eleison, are all of pagan origin, and sanctified by their adoption into the Church. An Essay On the Development of Christian Doctrine, p. 373. By John Henry Newman

So why a true Christian would continue to wear the wedding ring when the mother of Babylon says it is of pagan origin? This right here is already a red flag and we should not follow the customs of the world.

Another thing to note, catholic nuns wear a plan gold wedding ring. Why? Because they are so called married to Jesus. Therefore we can say that the marriage ring is closely associated with catholic church and her pagan practices.

Moreover, why is the wedding ring placed in the left ring finger?
Answer: (online) According to the world, there is a vein that runs from the left ring finger or the 4th finger and that vein connects directly to the heart and so if you put the ring in that particular ring it would mean that you truly love your spouse because the ring connects to the veins that goes directly to the heart.

The faithfulness of husband and wife is not determined by the wearing of the wedding ring or any outward band. The ring is just a physical object which has nothing to do with the sincerity of the marriage life. A lot of those who cheated their wives or husbands have wedding rings on their finger. It did not stop them from cheating because the wedding ring has no power to stop the person from doing evil. The power comes from God and not from a ring. And the sincerity is proven by deeds and not by words or by some physical object.

Why did the prodigal son receive a ring if we are not supposed to wear a ring?
First of all, that was a parable. It was used as a symbol of royalty. He was reinstated back to his original position as a legal child of the father as like a king who has restored his son back into the kingdom.

Why did Joseph receive a ring from Pharaoh?
First, let us see how many different types of rings the Bible mentions.

In Genesis 41:42, it says “And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;”

The Hebrew word for this ring is
2885  tabba`ath  {pronounce: tab-bah'-ath}

properly, a seal (as sunk into the wax), i.e. signet (for sealing); hence (generally) a ring of any kind:--ring.

This is also the same ring mentioned in Isaiah 3:21 that God abhorred.

Another ring which is an earring but is actually a nose ring is found in Exodus 35:22 And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, [and] brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that offered [offered] an offering of gold unto the LORD.  This same earring is found in Judges 8:24 and Genesis 24:22.

The Hebrew word for this earring is:
5141  nexem  {pronounce: neh'-zem}

from an unused root of uncertain meaning;  a nose-ring:--earring, jewel.

Now, going back to the ring that Pharaoh gave to Joseph, take note that pharaoh took off the ring from his hand (not from his finger) and put it upon Joseph’s hand (not in his finger). According to history, the ring before was too big to fit the finger because those rings were used as signet or sign of power or authority for kings and rulers. Rulers and kings use it as a seal like that in Esther 3:12 where king Ahasuerus sealed the letter with his ring.

COSMETICS
Moving on to the next subject, let us trace back in the old Bible times regarding the use of colorful cosmetics or shall we call them today as make-up. Let us see if we can find a noble woman who advocates the use of make up.

The earliest record regarding the usage of makeup is found in 2 Kings 9:30, And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard [of it]; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window.

Let us see a couple of things in order to understand what is going on in this chapter.
Who is Jezebel
Jezebel is not a woman of God. She was deep in idolatry. Jehu, supposed to be a man of God, married this wicked queen. 1 Kings 16:30. And his marriage with this idolatrous woman brought in a chain of disaster both in his life and with the people of God as well. Jezebel worshipped Baal and her priests had led others to worship Baal and not the God of heaven.

Another thing about Jezebel, apart from being an idolater. She also killed the prophets of God.
1 Kings 18:4, “For it was [so], when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)”
1 Kings 18:13, “Was it not told my lord what I did when Jezebel slew the prophets of the LORD, how I hid an hundred men of the LORD's prophets by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water?”

She is also involved in witchraft and whoredome
2 Kings 9:22, “And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, [Is it] peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts [are so] many?”

What does painted her face mean?

Strongs Corcordance
6320  puwk  pook
- from an unused root meaning to paint; dye (specifically, stibium for the eyes):--fair colours, glistering, paint(-ed) (-ing).

So the word painted her face means to apply fair colours to the face or the modern day term of today is make-up. This Hebrew word pook is also used in another Bible verse which is found in Isaiah which will help us understand that the make-up concept is 100% accurate of what jezebel did to her face.

Isaiah 54:11, “O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.”

The same Hebrew word pook for painted is the same Hebrew word used by what Isaiah said as fair colors

So,
Painted = fair colours

Therefore, what Jezebel did was the same as saying Jezebel painted her face with fair colours. In short, Jezebel applied colorful cosmetics or make-up in her face.

Now, we have found out that Jezebel, an idolatrous woman involved in witchcraft, who killed the prophets of God was the first recorded woman in the Bible that used colorful cosmetics or in our modern day terms is called make-up. This type of woman is not worthy of example for the people of God. But majority of the world is practicing this same sorcery that Jezebel was doing back then.

If we take a look at spiritualism, one of its objects is to hypnotize souls. So the question is next, why do people have to apply colorful cosmetics or make up? One answer is, to attract their fellow being.

Makeup is a tool of satan to attract the wrong attention to women. And women, instead of having the downcast eyes, now they are having their heads up high and silently and implacably saying look at me, look at my face. Nobody will wear makeup to hide their face but in order for their faces to be noticed by others because makeup is an adornment like jewelries and some types of clothing. This may hurt but this is the truth otherwise, people will stop wearing makeup and stop looking for the wrong attention from their fellow being.

And the trend about the use of make-up did not stop at Jezebel’s age but down to the Egyptians and the rest of the pagan nations. In fact, pagans use it to change or enhance a person’s physical appearance. With makeup you can hide physical features you do not like or enhance features that you want. With make-up you can turn something into another thing. Take a look at this picture below. This is somebody who tried to look like a skull. And another man who tried to look like something scary. Make up can transform a face into something else. And trying to be who you are not is hypocrisy.

Also, pagans who worship certain gods believe that part of their worship is transforming themselves to look like that particular god and so they use make up to cover their faces and transform it into something else. Just like wearing a certain costume and acting like whatever your costume is all about.

Proof that pagans were involved in the use of cosmetics is recorded by the world’s encyclopedia
“By the 1st century ad the Egyptian, Roman, Greek and Middle Eastern cultures had developed cosmetics such as powders to whiten the skin; kohl to darken the eyelids, eyelashes, and eyebrows; rouge for the cheeks…” (Encyclopaedia Britannica, Vol. 5, p. 196).

But the modern day use of cosmetics is one, to cover scar, or to protect the skin from the sun and most of all to beautify or enhance the looks of the user. And sad to say to make oneself look more beautiful than what God made them to be is called vanity. Older women want to look younger, and younger women want to look more beautiful. And the movie industry which today is centered at Hollywood had played a great role on this area. People watch too much movies and adored actresses to the point that they want to look like them. Vanity is everywhere. Let us hear what God says about these vanities.

Cosmetics industry makes billions of dollars and those who buy cosmetic products support this industry in furthering their agenda to push vanity to the people and satan hopes that God’s people will also fall into this trap.

We have learned that Jezebel is the first ever recorded woman to have applied colorful cosmetics and she was not a woman of God but as her fruits shew she was of satan. She was involved in witchraft and those who follow her example are rebelling against God.

For REBELLION IS AS THE SIN OF WITCHCRAFT and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.  (1Sa 15:23 KJV)

Some people will justify or reason out why they NEED to use make-up.
I use make-up to cover my scars
Brethren, we do not need to cover our scars. Our face speaks of who we are. If we are trying to cover something up in order to look better, what does it mean with our moral character? It means we can also pretend and be somebody we are not. Let us not run away from reality. Yes, scars do not look pleasant but who cares? It is the inward heart that is most precious to the Lord and not the face and that it should look pleasing to other people.

Our past will serve as lessons and so let the scars be, the Lord knows your inner heart, man looks at the inside but be assured God looks at your heart.

1 Samuel 6:17, “…for [the LORD seeth] not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”

Besides, all our physical deformities are results of sin and when this world is over with, everything will be restored to its perfection. |Blind will see, lame will jump, scars will go. Everything will be restored back to God’s original design before sin came. SO don’t worry about these physical deformities today for they will go away if we are found worthy. All we need to get busy with is to work out our salvation and not to spend our time to look beautiful in the outside.

I only use a very light make-up
The question we need to answer is not how much I can get by to get to heaven but how much I can do in order to be there. Light make-up does not make you appear like you are not wearing make-up. You are still using it. It is in your face, though it may not be too visible.

Let us take a look at the life of Lot who choose to live in Sodom. When Lot heard that Jehovah said He will destroy the city because their sin was very grievous, let us hear what Lot said.

Genesis 19:20: Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.

So, here we see Lot was trying to find an escape route. Since he was already in the city, instead of following the Lord’s command to escape to the mountains, Genesis 19:17, he wanted to escape to another “smaller” city. He said there is a city nearby which is a “little” one. He wanted to live to another small city and think he shall be safe. It is the same as with this cosmetic issue. Somebody who is so drenched into this thing will think to say oh but my make-up is a very light one. Just a little make up is okay. Well, you are acting and thinking like Lot who tried to excuse himself and tried to reason with the Lord that he can live into a “smaller” city. Well are you going to reason with the Lord, “just a little make up please, I should be okay with you.” Well, what about a little pork or half a glass of beer or this and that. Brethren that will not make any difference in the sight of a holy God.

Let us also consider why makeup or cosmetics is not healthy to use. There are health risks associated with using or wearing makeup.

Dangers:
Health risk: - 
Cancer risks due to the chemicals cosmetics industries use to make their products. Artificial colors and heavy metals are carcinogenic. They are poisonous when ingested as well as being absorbed through the skin.

Other health risks. – The chemicals being used as ingredients to these makeup can cause other health risks like skin irritation. These substances will be treated like poison to our system. The pores on our skin absorb the poison and is thrown into the blood and the skin reacts and causes itchiness and such. Let us not sacrifice health for the sake of pleasing self.

What about tattoo:
Leviticus 19:28, “Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I [am] the LORD.”

The Bible clearly states God’s people have nothing to do with printing the body with anything like tattoo whether it is temporary or permanent.

GAMBLING

"Casting lots," the ancient version of gambling, was very common in many old societies. At Jesus's crucifixion, the soldiers cast lots for his clothes. However, in modern times we come across gambling, and not casting lots, in many situations. Although the Bible never specifically says gambling is bad, there are many Bible verses on gambling that instruct Christians to lead a holy, positive life. We gathered some of these Bible verses on gambling together for you to read. Reflect on these and pray to God, should you ever have a problem with gambling in your life!
Jonah 1:7 And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is on us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah.
Acts 4:34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

Character developed:
Addictive – many people have proven to be addicted to gambling

Love of money/covetousness
1 Tm:6:10: For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
1 Timothy 6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

Ex:20:17: Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

Vanity/ cannot be satisfied
Proverbs 13:11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathers by labor shall increase.
Ecclesiastes 5:10 He that loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loves abundance with increase: this is also vanity.
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as you have: for he has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you.

Psalm 24:1 The earth [is] the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. 

Hasten to be rich
Proverbs 28:22 He that hastens to be rich has an evil eye, and considers not that poverty shall come on him.

Destroys work ethics
Col:3:23-24 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
2Th:3:7, 10  For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;   For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
2Th:3:12: Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

Family neglect
1Tm:5:8  But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
2Co:12:14: Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
2Th:3:12: Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

Talents or ten pounds (Matthew 25:14-30)
Must trade our talents, not gamble them nor sell them.

POLITICS
Luke 20:25 And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's. 

We cannot vote or get elected nor partake in any political movement. If we vote someone to office, whatever corruption they will do while in office, we will also be held accountable or be called partakers of their sins. Our citizenship is in heaven and we should not partake in any political interests in this world. To vote is not compulsory. It is not a law of the land to vote. It is a right to vote. You can exercise the right or not. We still have the freedom to not exercise our right to vote. Nobody can force us.

Ezekiel 16:47 Yet hast thou not walked after their ways, nor done after their abominations: but, as [if that were] a very little [thing], thou wast corrupted more than they in all thy ways. 

WORLDLY CELEBRATIONS
Halloween
All saints day
New Years (Gregorian, Chinese, etc)
Valentines
Anniversaries
Christmas
Festivals/Carnivals
Pageants
Reunions
Competitive Sports Events
Fiesta
Birthday
Parties of any kind
Isaiah 22:13 And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die.

SPORTS
Competitive (develops the wrong type of character, to be above the other, the spirit of “I must win and they must loose”)
Risks of Physical injuries (too much physical involved and some have suffered injuries)
Cultivates Pride (Self is exalted, self must be the best while others must be inferior)
cultivates spirit of rivalry and revenge (when someone looses a game, it motivates him to play again to win the next time in order to take revenge against opponent)
most games and sports involve gambling (people place bet for their team of choice)
immodesty – women sports mostly involve women wearing almost nothing, some men sports also requires men to be topless or to wear mini shorts exposing too much skin therefore defying principles of dress reform

Christian recreation does not involve competition, rivalry and revenge. It is composed of innocent activities that restores health vigor without compromising any principles of God.

What about swimming?
Principles of dress reform must still be practiced in this case. Women must not wear anything tight to the body and their clothes must cover their knees or that not much skin is exposed to the opposite sex. Men must not also be topless but wear appropriate clothes including shorts that are not above their knees and must not be fitting to the body in order to preserve modesty.

It is also important to avoid places where much nakedness is seen around. There are places that require women to wear immodest swimwear.