Based on Luke 8:27-35
MEMORY TEXT: “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” (1 Peter 3:4).
It’s interesting to note that the first penalty for sin was that Adam and Eve became naked (Genesis 3:7), and that the first act of redemption was that God made a modest covering for them.
One day Jesus and His disciples crossed the Sea of Galilee to the land of the Gadarenes. When they landed, a naked, devil-possessed man rushed at them. Jesus immediately healed the man; and when the people came to see what had happened, they found the man sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind (Luke 8:27-35). Notice that both this story and Adam and Eve’s had to do with nakedness. And in both cases, when they came to where God was, they became clothed again.
It seems that, in these last days, there has been an increasing trend toward indecency and immodesty, not just in women’s clothing but in men’s also. This tendency is evident in the clothing manufactured for even young children. What might be considered “cute” on a toddler can be immodest on a teen. Followers of Christ will want to choose their wardrobe as though under the eyes of God, which, in fact, we are.
How we dress identifies who we are. There are uniforms for the branches of the armed forces in any country, and there are uniforms in business and industry. These uniforms identify the people with the work they do. Because how we dress can indicate our occupation, the Christian will not want to dress to imitate those who are known for having low standards of morality. Although movie stars or rock groups have the right to dress the way they choose, we who have made a commitment to Christ will not identify ourselves with those people by letting them set the styles for the way we dress (1 Corinthians 10:31).
In summary, Christians will not try to decorate our bodies, which sooner or later will grow old, but we will pray that we might be adorned with a beautiful character, which will never grow old.
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