THIRSTING.FOR.LIFE.title PHOENIX.AZ 60-0304
oh, I thought no matter what we may have to go through with, if it's trials, if it's heartaches, if it's persecution, if it's to be laughed out and made fun of, what kind of a people ought we to be? We are sons and daughters of the King. Though we be in an unwelcome world, though we be to a place where we're hated, maybe called scandalous names like "holly-roller, pentecostal-tongue." What difference does it make? We ought to have our chin up, our shoulders out, believing God's Word, because across the land younder, our Father is the King. And I think it's ridiculous shame when I see King's daughters wearing the kind of clothes that they wear in these days.
Dear young sisters, as i write to you today, I trust to help you understand why it is important for you to be dressed properly and not be influenced by what is currently considered the norm in dress. As you share and witness God's power in your life, may your manner of dress challenge your friends to see you as one who is free from the attractions of this world, no longer a slave to fashion. Clothing can declare one's identity and image. Dress tells much about an individual, as it is a language that can show one's nationality, occupation, social standing, tastes, and beliefs
It is important for you to remember that everything you say or do reflects on where you come from, what your ideals are in life and whom you serve. As a young believer you will be recognized not only by your conduct or speech, but also your appearance; therefore the way you dress is considered part of your testimony as a believer.
Normally as a teenage girl you will take a real interest in clothes, for you desire to look pretty. Owing to your need for peer acceptance and not wanting to appear old fashioned, you may constantly change your clothes to keep up to date or even to strive for a certain look. Slowly and unawares the world's current trends may dictate to you as to what you should wear. You may not even realize it, but there are hidden snares in the steady display of new garments on the market, which i will discuss later.
In this day, it certainly is a challenge for the Christian young lady to dress as the King of Heaven's daughter. As a princess you cannot act like the world, speak like the world, nor dress like the world.
Equally important to remember, is that your behaviour is bound to affect others. Someone copies almost anything that you do. You may think that your dress is your own business and a slight deviation from a modest look is permissible. However, just consider for a moment how your dress conduct might affect another person. You can either encourage or discourage someone. To you, it may only be a minor deviation, yet another girl may interpret your action as meaning that she should not be so hard on herself and not be so careful in her choice of dress either. Since you get away with it, she may also. For example if you wear only a small split in your skirt, she may consider that wearing a dress with a larger split will not matter that much. So she begins to wonder, "Now, if they can do it and get by, well, they're just as much thought of as I am. So why can't I do it?"
WHERE.I.THINK.PENTECOST.FAILED.title SAN.FERNANDO.CA 55-1111
Oh, don't never let that enter your mind. See? That shows there's been...Something's lacking down here. The Holy Spirit would teach you different, friend.
Now you see that you cannot dismiss your appearance as unimportant and feel that it is of no consequence to anyone else.
Dressing is important to God. It is often forgotten that there are moral and spiritual reasons for wearing appropriately modest dress. What is socially acceptable today can hardly be regarded as modest or a reliable standard for the christian girl. Modest means humble, becoming, decent, moderate, proper, unpretentious, and unassuming. In other words, it is not provocative or revealing.
I also would also like to impress on you the fact that you have a "sacred trust" that you must not "defile". Your responsibility is to maintain your chastity (virginity) just as the women or church is to be true to her husband. This quality of womanhood can be affected if you dress inadequately as it may imply a lack of innocence. By dressing properly you show good sense, correct taste and sound morals, which are there to help you protect and preserve your womanhood.
Not only should the body be modestly covered but also no form of underwear should be exposed, which will show lack of refinement and will give a wrong signal. Decent boys do not respect girls who wear revealing clothes. When they have impure thoughts about you, you will also be a partner in their sin, and not even be aware of it.
As the prophet points out in this quote:
IS.ANYTHING.TOO.HARD.FOR.THE.LORD.title TULSA.OK 60-0328
We see the sodomite spirit. Women on the streets, in the churches, dressing immorally, wearing all kinds of filthy, immoral dressed clothes to tempt the man on the streets, evil spirits on them and don't know it...Fine women sending their souls to hell and will have to answer at the day of judgement for committing adultery, though she be as pure as the lily, physically, but she's throwed herself before men..."Whosoever looketh upon a women to lust after her, has committed adultery with her already in his heart," and the women not knowing that her dressing like that and a man looking at her, she'll have to answer for committing adultery, for she permitted herself to be dressed like that and set before men to tempt him...
Therefore, you personally should be clear on what type of clothing reflects the definition of modesty. You love God & therefore certain attire is unacceptable for you and would not appeal to you. For example, your garments would not have the "on the skin" or "wiener" look revealing the body form, but a "loose-fitting" appearance (without your looking like an old Mother Hubbard). You do not want to make yourself an idol and thereby fit in with the world. How joyous it is to be different and be considered set apart from the world, a daughter of God, clearly recognizable by simply modest dress.
Your appearance will reflect your obedience and appreciation to Him. It will reflect your chaste behaviour and you would at all times aim to harmonize your dressing with your conduct. Your identification is with Him and you would not want to be mistaken for a girl of loose morals.
In the preview of the Bride, seen by Brother Branham, the vulgar acts done by the so-called church as they passed by, were consistent with their scantily immoral attire. The bride's national dress and conduct however revealed a kindred spirit of purity only the Word pattern could produce.
Outward attractiveness not accompanied by humility and reverence for the presence of men and the Word is considered of little value. Likewise, the worldly styles are not beautiful in God's eyes. You do not want to cover yourself with just any type of clothing.
Here are some helpful hints:
- Be aware of cut, style, drape, and the type of material when choosing a garment.
- Avoid materials that are sheer or cleave to your body.
- Steer clear of low-cut blouses, lines, prints, and discolorations on fabric that focus unduly on particular areas of your body.
- The design should suggest modestly and womanliness.
- Since men's garments for women are an abomination (hated thing) to God (Deuteronomy 22:5), try to avoid any suggestion of manliness such as mannish jackets, coats and caps, even zippers in the front of the skirt.
Now let us consider for a moment the different spirits behind the types of clothing in fashion.
The unrighteous minds that design certain clothes are inspired by those whose leadership is accepted - namely the international idols, politicians and musicians - with total disregard for decency.
As many girls experiment with tight-fitting clothes, fashionable shoes and hairstyles, subtly Satan is undressing them by presenting them with a "bold look" and a "bare look" and diverse forms of "skin shows".
There are plenty of designs that concentrate on certain body parts with define sex appeal and show the "non-blushing" condition of this age.
In like manner also, those women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety. I Timothy 2:9-11
Here modest dressing includes being sensible and bashful. There are some casual clothes for young girls that may seem unassuming, yet a nonchalant spirit is expressed, which can speak of the relaxed morals of this age. Many T-Shirts and tops have logos on them, having a double meaning, which preferably you would not desire to include in your wardrobe.
Now you do not intentionally go out to purchase wrong things. You certainly do not want to be associated with any of the trends, which convey these spirits. Yet these hidden traps, which are not apparent, are there to catch you, the true believer.
While still maintaining your own taste and individual style, take a careful check to determine whether your clothing is modest for all your varying activities. The change you may need to make is to adapt to proper footwear and garments that will reflect modesty and a more Conservative mode.
Certainly there are items you may have to discard in order to get victory from imitating the world. Remember, you want your clothes to be neat and tidy, suitable for the occasion yet beautiful in simplicity.
When coming to the house of the Lord, it is needful to respect the order by being presentable and reserved at all times. Certainly you would make a special effort in your manner of dress to show your reverence. Take care also not to touch your hair or rearrange your dress in church, as this will also be a distraction.
Finally my sisters, I have mentioned these things as simple guidelines to help you in your choices. They are not meant to be a burdensome set of laws. When it comes to dressing, I trust that the Inside Teacher, the sweet Holy Spirit will make you more aware of the misleading intent in fashions.
God has created in you a spirit of royalty and Godly character is your most prized possession. Worthy character includes dressing appropriately and it is part of the "A, B, C's" (the basic teachings) to the Message of the Hour. When you are in the company of men and even amongst those that your life could influence, allow your dress to characterize His presence in your life.
To achieve a godly appearance the important thing to remember is the over-all impression you make. Do work for a striking contrast to the worldly-wise girl's dress. Let your feminine dress and manner radiate your devotion and love for Almighty God.
You do not want to copy the arrogant model's walk. As others observe you, may you unquestionably be identified as a daughter of the True and Living King of Heaven.
80-2 EPHESIAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK. CPT.3 "Seven golden candlesticks." In Exodus 25:31, it says, "And thou shalt make a candlestick of PURE gold; of BEATEN work shall the candlestick be made; his shaft, and his branches, his bowels, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same." The true church of Jesus Christ, the bride, is likened to PURE gold. Her righteousness is HIS righteousness. Her attributes are HIS own glorious attributes. Her identity is found in Him. What He is, she is to reflect. What He has, she is to manifest. There is no fault in her. She is all glorious within and without.
Sis. Ernestine