It’s a startling fact that a two percent higher divorce rate exists amongst people who attend church than amongst those who say they are not Christians. What a travesty that the Church, (which is supposed to be the bride of Christ, and is to be the light of the world, and is to be the separate, pure and holy representation of Jesus Christ and His people), has become a laughing stock and mockery of the world. In most Bible Colleges and churches, the students and members who attend look, act, and behave no differently than the rest of society.

We have begun an examination of The Decline of the American Culture and in this article we are going to be analyzing dress. We will focus predominantly on what girls and women wear and why, trying to ascertain their reasons and motives for dressing the way they do. But first, let’s summarize Part 1, Earrings and Men and What They Represent. If you have not read it, please do so before reading this as it sets the foundation for this pastoral letter.

In summary, we looked at the history of men wearing earrings in America and discovered there was no history. Men in America have never worn earrings before now! We saw through research that the values, beliefs and behaviors of Americans have been purposely changed through systematic reprogramming in the public schools and other avenues. Leaders have intentionally educated Americans into accepting lifestyles, religions, behaviors, and beliefs of other nations. God forewarned that this would bring judgment. They have done this in order to usher in a New World Order with as little resistance as possible. In the schools, children are no longer being taught values that are consistent with our Christian heritage. Instead they are taught values which conform worldwide and are promoted through the United Nations and throughout the world. Homosexuality, premarital sex, abortion, euthanasia, family planning, women’s liberation (rebellion?), have all been instigated and supported to bring change in America and usher in world citizenship instead of American citizenship. In this, our constitution is in the process of being replaced, but most Americans are too blind and selfish to realize what is happening.

Throughout history, it has only been men from pagan societies and religions, pirates, and slaves who have worn earrings. Thus, an antichrist spirit is ushering in lifestyles that are in direct conflict with the Author of Life who set boundaries and norms for order and peace. The Scripture is very clear in its description of how a Christian’s personality is to develop in accordance with the Fruit of the Holy Spirit. The teachings of Jesus and the Apostles tell us plainly what our attitudes and behaviors should be if we proclaim that we are a Christian.

Scripture exhorts us that we are not to purposely offend others. As we stated in the previous article, earrings in men have recently been introduced due to a deliberate attempt to change people’s thinking and beliefs, preparing them to continue to accept sinful behavior. Earrings in men, whether done consciously or innocently is an action of rebellion and I believe God is displeased with it. It is sin, as it is an outward manifestation of a culture in direct conflict with Jesus Christ. When challenged, the inherit and innate emotions and attitudes of men who wear earrings is that of pride and self-righteousness. Where the Bible exhorts us to be charitable, kind, longsuffering, meek and lowly, we find boys and men who wear earrings with totally opposite characteristics.

I Corinthians 10:23-33 warns us that “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth. Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof. If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that showed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof: Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: For why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience? For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God. Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.”

Hypocrites are going to scream, “this is bondage—this is legalism.” We are not talking about legalism here, but of genuine freedom from self. Jesus said, “he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.” (Matthew 10:38) The cross is a symbol of death to self. It is a willingness to take a stand for Jesus’ values and non conformity to culture and sin, even at the personal cost of death if necessary. Christians are to willingly choose to be different, changed, and transformed followers (disciples) of a new set of values and beliefs. We are making a personal decision.Choosing death to self and becoming a new person with the grace from our Lord Jesus Christ. Matthew 10:39 reads, “He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” Matthew 5:11 tells us, “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.” We are supposed to be willing and even happy to be attacked and maligned for being separate, holy, righteous and pure. We are to rejoice when we are criticized for standing up in a Christ-like spirit against sin in the culture, political or religious system, church, family or friends just as Jesus did. However, we are not to be talked about because we have become part of the sin of our society. We are to be clearly different, not mistakenly identical. Our attitude should be a willingness to suffer for righteousness and not to fight for our independence, vanity, rebellion and pride. Jesus ate with sinners whether they be publicans, pharisees, fornicators or adulterers, but He did not become like them. He did not become a prostitute to witness to the prostitute. He did not wear the sinful clothes and jewelry of the culture in order to reach them, but He loved them by preaching and teaching the gospel (truth) even at the cost of His rejection, persecution and death. Ephesians 4:21-24 teaches, “If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” II Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

Fellow believers, we are supposed to be salt according to Matthew 5:13, “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.” We as Christians are to bring change into the society. We are not to become part of the sin, paganism and idolatry of society or we become worthless for the gospel in bringing change. I love all sinners but I am against their sins and I will speak to them about it as Jesus did. Jesus did not ignore people’s sins. He ate and spoke with them about the kingdom of God versus the rebellion of men. Whether He was a guest in the home or eating while walking in the fields, Jesus talked about and confronted sin. Matthew 10:28,34,35 states, “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but as word. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.” Jesus expects us to always show love and turn the other cheek to our enemies (Matthew 5:39) but He does not expect us to compromise truth to avoid trouble and rejection. He expects us to be salt; to eat with the sinner but not at all cost. Our purpose for temporary fellowship with them is to always exhibit and testify to the truth of the gospel and not merely to gain acceptance and friendship. This is part of the cross we bear if we truly are Christians and not merely fans of Jesus. For example, in professional baseball many people have heard of Ken Griffey Jr. Those who have heard of him would say, “Yes, I know Griffey.” However, the reality is that most do not have a relationship with Griffey. They think they know him because they have heard or read of him, but really they are only fans of his. Matthew 7:21 states, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of the father which is in heaven.”

The Scriptures tells us to live at peace with all men as far as possible without compromising. If I am a guest at someone’s house or if I invite somebody to my house for dinner and I know they do not eat pork, then I will not serve pork. Why should I purposely serve something that I know brings offense? Am I trying to bring division and separation when there is no need to? Certainly pork is no spiritual sin yet I will not eat pork if it offends my guest. If I am going to a wedding or a funeral and I know something I am going to wear, eat or drink would offend some of the guests then why would I do it? The spirit of Jesus Christ is the total opposite of a proud, stubborn, cantankerous person who brings division and alienation to prove their independence. This is regardless of what we wear, eat or drink is acceptable to God because God looks at the heart (our character, attitude and motives.)

In addition, have you noticed that once you have politely, with as much entreating and wisdom as possible, asked a man or boy not to wear their earrings in a Christian ceremony, (so as not to offend others) they are usually very arrogant and resentful? Many times, from that time on, they avoid you. They may even refuse to participate by saying, “I just won’t come then.” This is an attitude of pride and rebellion. It is not that you have rejected them, but their pride has been pricked which should be crucified daily. It is because of this pride that they now reject future fellowship with you even though you still desire a relationship with them. It is not the righteous refusing fellowship, but the proud. Sin brings separation. The righteous would understand and forgive and not purposely offend or refuse to participate in a function. Rather, they would do all they could to be without sin and strive to bring peace.

What about girls and women who wear dresses so tight one can see their underwear, or so short one has to constantly turn away to avoid being embarrassed? What about girls and women wearing bikinis or other provocative attire? The Bible tells us to flee temptation and to run from evil. Why then do we tempt others with our dress? Could it be because of pride and lust? I John 2:15-17 states, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”

Why is it that when prostitutes truly get saved their attire and appearance totally change? They will tell you it is because they are no longer wanting to attract and entice a man. I have met many men who upon accepting Jesus immediately took their earrings out of their ears because they said it was obvious to them they had worn them to be different. They wore them because of pride and rebellion which is no longer a problem.

People, let’s get real! The reason why girls and women wear dresses, swimsuits and other attire that reveals a lot of flesh is because of their vanity. One can take proper pride in ones appearance without sinning in the process. Tight dresses, skirts far above the knees, revealing swimsuits or bikinis and other provocative attire is sin. It is a sign of being led by the flesh .Why is it that we are so fast to defend our pride, vanity and lust? Some people reading this are continuing to label it as legalism. Why do they try to be as the world without any noticeable differences in deed or action, heart motives, attitudes or characteristics? Why do they run as close to the world or become part of the world instead of running far away from the world? Do they really have a relationship with Jesus Christ and follow Him as a disciple or are they just a fan of His? The fact of the matter is that many girls and women are so caught up with themselves instead of Jesus that they go to church to participate in the dating game as they try to draw attention to themselves. As Solomon would say “Vanity of vanities... all is vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 1:2)

Proverbs 6:23-29 states, “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life: To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman. Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids. For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life. Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? So he that goeth in to his neighbor’s wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.”

The rebel, the proud, the arrogant, and the hypocrite will demand, “show me in the Bible where it says we cannot wear bikinis or men should not wear earrings.” The answer is found in the same place as one would find that Jesus went to the toilet; or washed His clothes and body. It is intuitively obvious to all who love the truth and search it with a pure heart instead of an unethical lawyer trying to free his guilty client. We do not excuse our vanity by saying, “oh that is his problem if he is looking or lusting.” It is our problem according to Jesus and Scripture because we are to do everything in our power not to cause one to stumble.

Again, the character, attitude or personality of Jesus, which is called the Fruit of the Holy Spirit, does not demand its own way, but thinks of what is best for Jesus and others. We, as followers of Jesus, are to develop the same personality through the Holy Spirit. Our attitude should be: “not our will but thine be done”. Again, this is totally against the American cultures motto of “I’ll do it my way!”

Scripture tells us to be lovers of truth and when confronted with it we are to accept it and repent of prior lifestyles and choices. Today however, many churches are allowing their congregations to conform to pagan dress and apparel. They do not confront the sin or the attitude of people in these damnable life choices lest they offend. Instead, they allow this type of pride, lust and rebellion to manifest until it bears its full fruits of disrespect to parents, strife, cross dressing, homosexuality, petting, premarital sex and pregnancy, fornication, adultery, abortion, etc. All of these fruits which are found in the lust of the flesh will bring about eternal dam- nation if left unchanged.

Yes, earrings worn by men is sin. Very short dresses and skirts worn by women is sin. And yes, Jesus changed His clothes. It is all common sense to the innocent but parables to the proud!

© 1999 World Ministries International