Hello to all my fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord, and a warm greeting to my MCGI family. Today was an exciting day as Brother Eli Soriano continued his teachings about the Doctrines of our Lord Jesus Christ. The focus of today's lesson was on the clothing that God has instructed us to wear, both on the inside and outside, as stated in the Bible. I'd like to share my thoughts on this topic.
The inner and outer Man
What is the Apparel for the outer Man
What is the Apparel for the inner Man
Our dear brother began today's lesson of the Doctrines by reading a passage from the Scriptures.
2 Corinthians 4:16 KJV
For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
This scripture highlighted that there are two aspects of a person, the inner self and the physical body, as explained by Paul. We learned that the outer self represents our physical body, our flesh, while the inner self pertains to the spiritual side of our being.
2 Corinthians 4:18 KJV
While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
We came to understand that there are individuals who may appear to be men on the outside, but their inner character or essence does not align with this outward appearance.
Matthew 7:15 KJV
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Being a man on the inside means that your true character is defined by:
Genesis 1:26 KJV
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
The Bible teaches us that humans are created in the image and likeness of God, which is a good and non-evil nature. So, if a person takes pleasure in doing evil and wicked deeds, they are not reflecting the true image of God.
Romans 7:22 KJV
For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
As Paul explains it here, the inner self or the inner man finds joy in following God's law. So, anyone who despises God's law does not have the essence of a human within them; instead, they are acting more like a beast.
Psalm 40:8 KJV
I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
If you have the inward man you will feel delighted to do the will of God. A person who has the inward man is grateful to God and to those who helped them because they are not proud or have a beast in them, they acknowledge that they were helped by others.
There is a need for us to examine ourselves to find out whether our inward man is a man or a ravening wolf on the inside as:
Matthew 7:15 KJV
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
Jeremiah 6:16 KJV
Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.
We came to understand that some people avoid embracing the light because their actions are filled with wickedness. This "light" signifies Jesus Christ and His teachings, and those who shun it are often those who have evil deeds.
John 3:19 KJV
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
John 8:12 KJV
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
If we consider the Lord Jesus Christ as the light, it becomes clear that those who despise Him and His teachings lack the inner qualities of a true human being. Instead, they may have a ferocious and destructive nature within them, like a ravening wolf.
Since God cares about both our outward appearance and our inner character, it's important for us to understand how both should be, so that we can live in a way that pleases God and follows His righteousness.
1 Peter 3:3 KJV
Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
In this scripture, Apostle Paul was providing guidance to women about what kind of clothing is approved and what should be avoided by God. His teaching emphasized the importance of dressing modestly.
The Scriptures teach us that God has certain guidelines regarding women's attire, which include not coloring or dying their hair, avoiding excessive jewelry, refraining from using chemical ointments, and dressing modestly without exposing too much of the body. Interestingly, it's been scientifically shown that some of these chemicals used by women can increase the risk of breast cancer, underscoring the wisdom in following these biblical prohibitions for our own well-being.
Hosea 2:13 KJV
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.
The scripture makes it clear that some of these practices are discouraged because they can be distracting and divert our focus away from God. That's why they are looked down upon, to help us maintain our spiritual connection without unnecessary distractions.
Isaiah 3:16-24 KJV
Moreover the LORD saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet: [17] Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will discover their secret parts. [18] In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments about their feet, and their cauls, and their round tires like the moon, [19] The chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers, [20] The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings, [21] The rings, and nose jewels, [22] The changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping pins, [23] The glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the vails. [24] And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; and burning instead of beauty.
Jeremiah 4:30 KJV
And when thou art spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair; thy lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life.
1 Timothy 2:9 KJV
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;
The main idea is for both men and women to dress in a way that shows modesty in their outward appearance. There's an old saying that goes, "Too much decoration can spoil the beauty," emphasizing that excessive adornment or flashy attire can sometimes detract from one's true beauty or character.
While we know that God values the heart, it's important to remember that people often judge based on outward appearances. If a woman's attire is provocative, it can unfortunately tempt some men to commit sinful actions. Tragically, some women have experienced harm due to wearing such clothing and being targeted by wicked individuals. This is why adhering to modest clothing guidelines is ultimately for our own safety and well-being.
Matthew 5:20,28 KJV
For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. [28] But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
2 Peter 2:14 KJV
Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
1 Peter 3:4 KJV
But let it be 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.
God desires and expect us to possess a humble and gentle spirit within us. This means embracing humility and finding joy in following the Lord's teachings and His law.
Psalm 119:11 KJV
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
We will adorn our heart with the word of God. The apparel for our heart is the word of God.
I appreciate your time in reading my reflection. Let's make an effort to please God through our inner and outer conduct. I hope you can join us next week on Monday as we carry on with the teachings about the doctrines of our Lord Jesus Christ. Until then, may the peace of God be with us all.
