dress

Crossing the Line

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When we were in the show business world of musicians, recording artists, theater, and modeling, we always greeted each other with a hug and two kisses—one on the left side and one on the right side. This was body to body and cheek to cheek, sometimes lips to lips with both arms around the person. This greeting would last from seconds to minutes, with no regard for marital status. That was show business—worldly, carnal, and irreligious, with no moral compass. Just whatever felt good or seemed the “in thing” to do, we did in social relations. There was a definite comradeship that was “tight or close” because our careers were similar. This is only a mild example of how loose men and women of the world conduct themselves with one another. Should these exhibitions of familiarity be the criterion for God’s people?

God Draws a Line

“There is a distinct line drawn by God Himself between the world and the church, between commandment keepers and commandment breakers. They do not blend together. They are as different as midday and midnight.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 602. Surely God has drawn a line, as it were, in the sand of morality—go this far and no further. But how far do we go? May we suggest the lines have been crossed in male and female modesty? The barriers erected by the Word of God have been broken down, hence, the low morals and the state of unholiness among God’s professed people.

“I beseech you, therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1, 2. “Barriers have been removed, safeguards broken down.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 578. What barriers have been removed? The barriers of female modesty which stand as a protection for solid Christian standards and morals.

“Immorality abounds everywhere. Licentiousness is the special sin of this age.” Counsels on Health, 673. The servant of the Lord goes on to say it would be as impossible for some minds to dwell upon holy themes as it would be to turn the course of the Niagara and send its waters pouring up the falls. Could things really be this corrupt in the church?

Unholy Exhibition of Familiarity

Have you ever been in church on Sabbath when you were told it is time to greet your neighbor? Besides being irreverent, this occasion encourages unholy exhibitions of familiarity that are condemned by the Word of God. Young and old, married or unmarried kiss and hug each other with happy music playing in the background to encourage a feeling of love and warmth. At times, perfect strangers feel at liberty to engage in these loose social exercises with the young and married in a way that is most appalling.

After Sabbath service some time ago, a brother we knew well decided to take the liberty to give Gwen a big Sabbath hello. With arms wide open and a pucker on his lips he launched forward toward her. She extended a firm and stiff right arm and hand. Not being able to cross that barrier, he said quickly, “Oh, its okay. My wife is right here, she does not mind.” Gwen quickly retorted, “But I mind!” She then added that she reserved her hugs and kisses for only one man—her husband! The fellow brother never tried that again!

Another time, years later, this happened with a young man who had previously worked with us in our business. He had since grown up and was a minister and pastor of several churches. He never ventured to do such years ago, but now he was a minister of the gospel and felt it was fine. He reached to hug and kiss Gwen, since he had not seen her in such a long time. She was happy to see him also, but extended her hand. Offended, he grabbed and hugged her anyway. This man is like a son to us, so we felt at liberty to tell him the truth about his actions. After cautioning him about such familiar behavior, he said he was the “kissing preacher.” This is how he kept on good terms with the women of the church—he gave them all a kiss and a hug every Sabbath. This was a handsome young man. Can you imagine what thoughts or feelings were prompted by this kind of behavior? He then admitted that his wife was very cold and unaffectionate toward him and that he made up for it with the ladies in the church. Before we left, we promised to send him texts and quotes so he would know Satan was laying a snare for him with such behavior. He really had a change of heart and spirit, and we prayed before we parted that God would give him grace to change.

The liberties taken in this age of corruption should be no criterion for Christ’s followers. These fashionable exhibitions of familiarity should not exist among Christians fitting for immortality.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 145.

Modesty and Reserve Depart

Because we have followed the world in almost every facet of our lives at a so-called respectable distance, our sense of morality is warped. For instance, at an evangelistic training program, a prohibition is stated for the wearing of jeans by men or women. That sounds good, but have you ever read what the prophetess said about pants—or more correctly the American Costume? This was modest compared to the pants worn now. “Those who feel called out to join the movement in favor of women’s rights and the so-called reform dress (American Costume) might as well sever all connection with the Third Angel’s Message.” Thy Nakedness, 123.

We are also told that the wearing of clothes that resembles that of the opposite sex would cripple our influence and destroy the influence of our message. But one statement is really poignant with meaning. “With the wearing of styles resembling men’s clothing goes a spirit of levity and boldness just in keeping with the dress.” Ibid., 133. The reason the subject of pants is brought up here is because it has an effect upon the way women and girls carry themselves. Pants are worn part of the week or in some cases, all of the week, which causes one to feel more relaxed, free and bold. As the servant of the Lord stated, “Modesty and reserve seem to depart.” Do you think women will, all of a sudden, become meek, unassuming and reserved on Sabbath because they have on their church attire? Have you noticed how many women in our day wear dresses? On Christian campuses or in Christian communities, dresses are as rare as in a common shopping mall. Through sports, worldly music and entertainment, the enemy has brought in a style of dress that is lowering the morals of the church and society in general. The standard of female and male modesty is degraded. The sexual atrocities perpetrated in the church, if done in the world, would be punished to the fullest extent of the law. These sins in the church are winked at, but God does not wink at them. The line drawn in the sand of morality is crossed again and again. Have you considered that the wearing of tight fitting sweaters, pants or skirts, low cuts, slits or sheer clothing invite unwarranted advances from both sexes?

Modesty In the Medical Field

Have we considered that careers where men or women massage, bathe, or examine the opposite sex is opening the door to those weak in moral character a tide of temptations they may not be able to resist? One Adventist massage therapist, who went to school and started her own business in a certain area, along with three other ladies who were also massage therapists, had no qualms about massaging men! After some time, she saw the handwriting on the wall and decided to stop massaging men. The other three therapists had broken families, some with children, and each had run off with their patients.

We are counseled “in our medical institutions there ought always to be women of mature age and good experience who have been trained to give treatments to the lady patients. Women should be educated and qualified just as thoroughly as possible to become practitioners in the delicate diseases which afflict women, that their secret parts should not be exposed to the notice of men…it is a most horrible practice, this revealing the secret parts of women to men or men being treated by women.” Counsels on Health, 364.

We know of at least three personal acquaintances whose families were broken or nearly broken because of the inordinate desire of the physicians to cross the line of female modesty. Many times the guilty parties are not disfellowshipped or censored, but they are transferred to a different area, are re-baptized, or the incident is covered over in secret. They usually keep their positions and supposed respect. This practice runs rampant among Christians.

To physicians, teachers, ministers, or any leader among God’s people, these words of counsel were written, “that which will bring the heaviest retribution is the practice of iniquity under the cloak of godliness.…there is more hope for the open sinner than for this class.” Ibid., 625.

“Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those alive from the dead and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.” Romans 6:12, 13.

We have been saddened as we have watched older married men caress and cuddle young innocent girls in an inappropriate way, time and time again. We have lamented the sad state of affairs, as some Christian men must close their eyes to the immodest parade of seductive fashions exhibited in our churches on the Sabbath day. As Sabbath school teachers, “women elders”, deaconess’ and members don their cleavage-revealing tops, high-slit skirts, form-fitting and sheer attire—is this an invitation to cross the line or what? “Many men are wicked and will lust after you in spite of anything you can do to prevent it…Should you therefore help them sin? Should you put further temptation in their way? Will God excuse you if you do?” Thy Nakedness, 150.

Dress to Please God

To know how to have Christian decorum and to dress modestly is not something most Christians understand immediately. In fact, most will have to be educated as to what is true modesty according to the Bible standard. In the book Education it says no education is complete without teaching one how to dress modestly and healthfully. So why are we not teaching our members, young and old, to dress to please God and not self? Why not teach our Bible workers, ministers and wives, elders (male and female) how to dress and act with true Christian propriety? Why not teach our students in our schools how to dress properly so they will know when they have gone over the line of modesty? We can assure you, God has given specific direction in every area of our life and we will not be excused because the information is available, but “My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge, because thou hast rejected knowledge I will also reject thee.” Hosea 4:6.

“As Christ’s ambassador, I entreat you who profess present truth to promptly repent any approach to impurity and forsake the society of those who breathe an impure suggestion. Loathe these defiling sins with the most intense hatred. Flee from those who would, even in conversation, let the mind run in such a channel: for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” Matthew 12:34. Counsels on Health, 625, 626.

In our brothers and sisters in Christ let us not be:

  • Careless in dress—wear whatever we have
  • Selfish in dress—wear whatever we want
  • Proud in dress—wear what attracts attention to self
  • Ignorant in dress—it is not important

If we would study the Bible and the counsels given to the people of God, we would be wise unto salvation. We would not come even close to crossing that line, or barrier, that God has set up between the sexes to preserve purity and morality. “It is not good for a man to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife and let every woman have her own husband.” 1 Corinthians 7:1, 2; Testimonies, vol. 2, 578.

Breaking the Barrier of Modesty

We ask you to consider eight points that break down the barrier of modesty and encourage one to cross the line in the sand of morality, and some counsel to the sisters and brothers from the Lord. Sometimes in dealing with this subject, it seems as though there are as many opinions as there are individuals, almost like the sand on the seashore. But the only opinion that really matters is God’s opinion.

These things break down the barrier and encourage one to cross the line in the sands of morality.

1 History to be repeated:

“Near the close of this earth’s history, Satan will work with all his powers in the same manner and with the same temptations wherewith he tempted ancient Israel just before their entering the land of promise. He will lay snares for those who claim to keep the commandments of God, and who are almost on the borders of the heavenly Canaan. He will use his power to the utmost in order to entrap souls and to take God’s professed people upon their weakest point. Those who have not brought the lower passions into subjection to the higher power of their being, those who have allowed their mind to flow in a channel of carnal indulgence of the baser passions, Satan is determined to destroy with his temptations—to pollute their souls with licentiousness.” Adventist Home, 327.

2 Meat Eating

“Meat eating excites and strengthens the lower passions and has a tendency to deaden the moral powers. The less feverish the diet, the more easily can the passions be controlled.” Counsels on Health, 622.

3 Eating, Drinking and Dressing to Excess

“Christ has left us here a most important lesson…He presents the result of unrestrained indulgence of appetite. The moral powers are enfeebled so that sin does not appear sinful. Crime is lightly regarded, and passion controls the mind, until good principles and impulses are rooted out and God is blasphemed. All this is the result of eating and drinking to excess. This is the condition of things which Christ claims will exist at His Second Coming. Eating, drinking and dressing are carried to such excess that they become crimes.” Counsels on Health, 24.

4 Self Abuse

“Many adopt the secret vile practice of self abuse in their youth; consequently they and their offspring have corrupt, debased passions. This is carried over into adult life by parents who are controlled by corrupt passions and transmit this horrible legacy to children, who then are also corrupt and devoid of principle. Thousands drag out unprincipled lives… ” Ibid. 618–621.

5 Indolence and Idleness

“Indolence and idleness leads to the indulgence of corrupt and licentious habits. Idleness is a curse. Weariness which attends labor will lessen their inclinations to indulge vicious habits.” Testimonies, vol. 2, 348.

6 Novel Reading and Fiction

“Could a large share of the books published be consumed, a plague would be stayed that is doing a fearful work upon mind and heart. Love stories, frivolous and exciting tales and even that class of books called religious novels….the nature of one’s religious experience is revealed by the character of the books one chooses to read in one’s leisure moments.” Messages to Young People, 272–274.

7 Revealing Family Secrets

“Oh how many lives are made bitter by the breaking down of walls which enclose the privacy of every family and which are calculated to preserve its purity and serenity! A third person is taken into confidence of the wife and private family matters are laid open before the special friend. This is the device of Satan to estrange the hearts of the husband and the wife. Oh that this would cease! What a world of trouble would be saved.” Adventist Home, 337.

8 Modesty in Dress and Demeanor

“What crosses do God’s people bear? They mingle with the world, partake of their spirit, dress, talk, and act like them.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 28. “Chaste simplicity of dress, when united with modesty of demeanor, will go far toward surrounding a young woman with the atmosphere of sacred reserve which will be to her a shield from a thousand perils.” Education, 248.

Behavior at Social Gatherings and Amusements

“There has been a class of social gatherings in _________, parties of pleasure that have been a disgrace to our institution and to the church. They encourage pride of dress, pride of appearance, and self-gratification, hilarity and trifling. Satan is entertained as an honored guest and he takes possession of those who patronize this gathering. It prepares the participants of unholy thoughts and actions.” Adventist Home, 514.

“The exciting amusements of our time keep the minds of men and women…in a fever of excitement, which is telling upon their stock of vitality…and have a tendency to dwarf the intellect and corrupt the morals.” Adventist Home, 521.

May the Lord continue to teach us what is right and pleasing in His sight that we shall not venture to cross the lines in the sand of morality.

Knowing the Time, Part II

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In Part 1 of this article [February 2006], ten points were given which help us know that, without question, we are living in the last days of this world. We are not at the beginning of the time of the end; we are at the end of the time of the end.

As important as it is to know the time in the world—and that is important—it is even more important to know the time in the church. Do you know the time in the church? Well, if you do not, I hope you will start a study on this subject.

Time in the Church

Verse 1 of 11 Timothy 3 says: “This know, that in the last days perilous times shall come”; grievous, difficult times are going to come. Then several social problems are listed, such as children being disobedient to their parents, people being fierce and brutal, not loving their neighbor, loving money. It gives a whole list of social problems! Coming to the end of these social problems, verse 5 tells us what is going to go on in the Christian church in the last days. This is scary. It describes the people as, “having a form of godliness [having a form of piety, a form of religion] but denying its power.”

What is going to happen in the church in the last days? The people are going to be very religious. In the Midwest, monstrous churches are being erected like none ever before built. There are churches in Wichita, Kansas, that will hold over 4,000 people. They are like huge amphitheaters or auditoriums, so for people to see and hear the speaker from the back, five or six large screens are used with an enlarged projection of the speaker. Oh, let me tell you, friends, we have religion today. We have a form of religion, but the Bible says that people will deny the power of it.

Power of Godliness

Let me describe very briefly what it means to deny the power of religion, to deny the power of the gospel, to deny the power of godliness. When Jesus came to this world, He did not come just to die on a cross and pay the price for our sins. That was part of it, but that was not everything. Before Jesus ever died on the cross, He lived in this world for over 30 years as our example, to show us how to live. He said, “If you will follow Me, I will give you the power to become like Me.”

John 1:12 says, “As many as received Him, to them gave He authority to become the sons of God, even those who believe in His name.” And when He returns, it says in 1 John 3:2, we are going to be like Him. What is the power of godliness? The power of godliness is the power of God to take some wretch like me who has a sinful nature, a weak will, and a wicked mind and transform me, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to make me—I say this reverently—like Jesus Christ. That is what the gospel is about.

Born of the Holy Spirit

If you have a form of religion and you go to church, pray, sing, read, shout, witness, and do all kinds of good things, but a transformation of character through the Holy Spirit never happens in your life, you will not be saved. Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Except a man be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.” John 3:5. He did not say that he should not; He said that he could not enter the kingdom of heaven. To enter, you must be born of the Holy Spirit, and when that happens, the Holy Spirit will work a miracle inside of you.

Ellen White says that it is through the Spirit that the heart is made pure. (The Desire of Ages, 671.) The Spirit has to work a change in you; otherwise you cannot go to heaven—even if you go to church. The power of God is the power to change your life so you do not think like the devil anymore, but you think like Jesus Christ. You do not feel like the devil; you feel like Jesus Christ. You no longer talk like the devil; you talk like Jesus Christ. You no longer act like the devil; you act like Jesus Christ, especially in your home. “A Christian in the home is a Christian everywhere.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 5, 1085.

Form of Godliness

But in the last days there is going to be a people who will have a form of godliness. They will have all the outward trophies of religion. They will go to church; they will pray; they will sing; they will witness; they will prophesy; they will talk in tongues; they will work miracles. In Matthew 7:21–23, you may read about these people who come to the Lord and say, “Lord, You made a mistake. I know I am saved, because I cast out devils in Your name, and I prophesied in Your name, and I worked many powerful miracles in Your name.” And then Jesus will say to them, “Depart from Me, I never knew you. Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness. You who break the law are not a loyal subject.”

Some people say that it is just too bad that it is this way, but they guess they will just have to endure it. Oh, no, it is not that way. Oh, no, that is not what the Bible says. We did not read the end of the text: “Having the form of godliness but denying the power of it, from these turn away.” 11 Timothy 3:5. This is where it gets tough. Paul says that in the last days there is going to be a people who have a form of godliness but they deny the power. Let me put it plainly: denying the power is the new theology that tells us that we cannot overcome sin. That is denying the power.

Turn Away

When new theology is being preached, is Paul telling us to just stay in there and do the best we can, because we are living in the last days? What does he say? He says to turn away. Do you get the thrust of that? I know people all over—I have friends—who are trying to stay in there. I heard of one person who said that if it gets too bad while the Sabbath School lesson is being taught, just go into the bathroom and read the Bible and The Great Controversy. Is that what Paul is telling us to do? Go into the bathroom and read your Bible while all this racket is going on? Paul said to turn away! Are you going to do it?

I have friends who tend to think that I am a fanatic. They have decided that they are not going to turn away; they are going to stay in there and fight to clean things up. But let me tell you what happens after they stay in this situation a few years. Instead of getting it cleaned up, they become spiritually anesthetized, until they do not even see that there is a problem in the church anymore. I have seen it happen repeatedly. Do not say that you will be strong; you can resist it; you will be all right; you are going to be a light. That is not what the Bible says to do.

You are a human being, and when God tells you to turn away from something, if you want to be saved, you better turn away. If you do not, you will become like that with which you associate. Do not ever forget that.

Why was the Seventh-day Adventist Church raised up in the first place? Why did we not just stay with the Baptists and the Methodists and the other Christian churches? Why? Because they rejected the truth of the Three Angels’ Messages.

I am sorry to have to say this, but there are many Seventh-day Adventist preachers and many Seventh-day Adventist churches today that have rejected the Three Angels’ Messages. If you are in one of them, you better get out. From those people turn away—people who no longer believe in the investigative judgment; people who no longer know who Babylon is; people who no longer know who the beast or antichrist is. The Bible says that there will be people who have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof; from these turn away.

Similar to Jews’ Experience

Number two. What is the time in the church? It is the last days. It is the time of the end. What is going to happen at the time of the end in the church? Read Selected Messages, Book 1, 406. Ellen White said that God told her this over and over again. If God told Ellen White something over and over again, do you suppose that it may have some rather unusual importance?

What did He tell her over and over again? He told her that our experience in the second advent movement, just before the second coming of Christ, would be very similar to the experience of the Jews just before the first coming of Christ. That is not just a prophecy anymore; it is happening right around us.

Immodest Dress

Number three. This is a point I would encourage you to study more on your own. Isaiah 2 begins a prophecy about the last days, which continues in chapters 3 and 4. In chapter 3:16–26, it indicates that there is going to be immodest and prideful dress among the daughters of Zion in the last days.

I do not want any woman to think I am trying to point a finger at her, because I am not. I am not trying to say that women are any worse sinners than men. Men have their own problems, and women have their own problems. Let me explain what the men’s problem is; then I will explain what the women’s problem is.

A man’s problem is that he has a moral responsibility to guard his eyes. Men have a natural tendency to look at women, and the fewer clothes the women have on, the more the men tend to look. Jesus warned against that. In Job 31:1, Job said, “I cut a covenant; I made a covenant with my eyes. Why should I look intently upon a virgin?” He said, “ I will not do it.” Men have to guard their eyes. That is a man’s problem. A man has a moral responsibility to God to say, “Lord, help me to be careful as to what I am looking at, and what I am thinking about when I am looking at it.”

A woman has an opposite problem. Just as men are tempted to look at women, women are tempted to encourage men to look at them. Oh, my dear sister, do you realize that by immodest clothing, by the kind of clothing described in Isaiah 3, you can help to take some men to hell? Read Matthew 5:27–30. It was in regard to this problem that Jesus told men that it would be better to pluck out their eye or cut off their hand to get rid of it, to get away. If you are a woman and some man goes to hell as the result of looking at you, do you not think that the Lord is going to tell you about it in the Day of Judgment?

Number four. In Isaiah 8:12, we read, “Say not a confederacy or a conspiracy to all those who say a confederacy or a conspiracy. Do not fear their fear.” This is something that is happening in Adventism today and has been happening for over 20 years.

Wake Up

Number five. In Matthew 25—the story of the ten virgins—we see that the church in the last days is asleep. Have you ever gone into your closet or wherever you do your private praying and said, “Lord, please have mercy on me and wake me up”? Paul said, in Romans 13:11, that it is the hour to wake out of sleep. It is time to wake up. Ask the Lord to please wake you up, to send the Holy Spirit to help you hear that still, small voice. Do you realize that probation is going to close, and Jesus is going to come, and some Seventh-day Adventists are not going to wake up until it is too late? In Early Writings, 71, Mrs. White describes it exactly. When the plagues begin to fall, then they wake up, but it is too late to wake up then.

Number six. What has happened in Adventism while we have been asleep? In Matthew 13, Jesus told us what would happen while we were asleep. He said that while men slept the enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat. There have been so many tares sown in Adventism that unless the Lord works a miracle the tares will choke out the wheat crop. (See Review and Herald, October 3, 1899.)

That is one of the reasons that there are independent Seventh-day Adventist churches today, because Ellen White says very clearly that it is possible for the tares to choke out the wheat, so there is no crop.

Yielded Leaders

Now we come to one of the most important points of all. Do you believe that we are in the last years of this earth’s history? Following is one of the most startling prophecies ever written by the pen of Ellen White about what is going to happen in Adventism in the last years of earth’s history. It was written during the time of the alpha of apostasy. “In His Word the Lord declared what He would do for Israel if they would obey His voice.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 13, 379. What did God promise to do for them, if they would obey His voice? He said, “You would be the head and not the tail”; “I will bless you, I will bless the fruit of your womb, I will bless your cattle, I will bless your crops, I will bless your children, I will bless your land.” Deuteronomy 28:13; 7:13.

In fact, if they had followed the Lord fully, they would not even have had to chase the Canaanites out of Canaan. The Lord told them that He was willing to send hornets after them; they would not even have to do it. (Exodus 23:28.) Read the blessings that were promised to the children of Israel, if they would have obeyed; it makes your mouth water! We wonder, with promises such as this, how anybody could not pay attention! But here is what happened.

“But the leaders of the people yielded to the temptations of Satan, and God could not give them the blessings He designed them to have, because they did not obey His voice but listened to the voice and policy of Lucifer.” Ibid. Who yielded? The leaders of the people! God could not give Israel the blessings He desired, because they listened to Satan’s temptations. They did not obey God; they listened to the voice and policy of Lucifer.

That is the easy part to read. Now we will read something that is absolutely scalding hot. “This experience [the experience of the leaders leading the people astray, listening to the voice and policy of Lucifer, and not obeying the Lord] will be repeated in the last years of the history of the people of God, who have been established by His grace and power.” Ibid. Who are the people of God who have been established by His grace and power in the last days? They are the Seventh-day Adventists. God could not do for ancient Israel what He wanted to do, because the leaders listened to the temptations of Satan; they did not obey God. They obeyed the voice and policy of Lucifer. Mrs. White says that the same thing is going to happen at the end, in the last days.

Sanctify Lucifer

If we are now in the last days, what do you think is happening right now? The leaders of God’s people have succumbed to the temptations of Satan. They are not obedient; they are not following Bible order. They have listened to the voice and policy of Lucifer, and then somebody says that we have to stay with this! This is God’s church? Wait a minute! Are the synagogue of Satan and God’s church the same thing? She says, “Men whom He has greatly honored will in the closing scenes of this earth’s history pattern after ancient Israel.” Ibid.

Jesus and Lucifer do not work in partnership. Do not ever get that wrong. Again, Jesus and Lucifer do not work in partnership. A few years ago we received a phone call from a clergyman who was quite irate. I am not saying that the people in our church did not make a mistake, because they went to his church’s parking lot while the congregation was meeting and put literature on the windshields of the cars parked there. That was not wise, because it was private property. The clergyman was quite irate because of this literature. (This clergyman was a clergyman in Babylon.) This literature told the evils of Halloween. Halloween is a holiday that has its origin in Druid and Satan worship. Halloween is all right today, he told us, because (concerning his church) we sanctified it.

Can you sanctify what Lucifer does? Friends, Seventh-day Adventists think like this today. They think that we, because we are Seventh-day Adventists, can sanctify something, and it is all right, even if it is the voice and policy of Lucifer.

Ellen White said that these leaders of ancient times listened to the voice and policy of Lucifer, and it is going to happen in the last years—and it is happening. It has been happening for several years already.

How to Relate

How do you relate to this? Some people get angry. There are a lot of angry Seventh-day Adventists today, because of the wickedness and evil going on in Adventism. There are some people who are just absolutely, white-hot angry. They are like the zealots in the time of Christ. They were angry too. They were ready to start a revolt and drive out the Romans. One of those zealots was one of Jesus’ disciples.

But then there are other people who say that we are to just stay in there no matter what the church or its leaders do, because it is the true church, and we will lose our souls if we leave it. In 11 Timothy 3:5, we have already studied that Paul said, in such a situation, we better turn away. We need to investigate the question, and then we need to understand the answer to that question.

Ellen White was shown that just as it was before the first coming of Christ, it would be before the Second Coming of Christ. It is one of the greatest signs that we are right at the end.

What about You?

How are you going to come out of all this? Friends, Jesus is coming soon. Ellen White saw that few Adventists would be saved. (Testimonies, vol. 1, 608, 609.) I am sorry that few people are going to be saved in the world, and I am sorry that few people are going to be saved in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. I have said that I wish the whole city of Wichita, Kansas, would be saved, but it will not be. I can preach, but then the people have to decide. I wish the whole Seventh-day Adventist Church would be saved, but it will not be. You, however, can make a decision as to whether or not you are going to be saved.

I have often thought about Noah and his family in the ark. When the rain was falling, do you suppose any of them said, “There are so few of us in here; I wish I were out there with the others”? The people were drowning out there! Even though there were only a few in the ark, they were glad they were in it. I want to tell you something, friends. The few people who stay with the Three Angels’ Messages will triumph with it. Do you want to be part of that group?

I am sad. I am not happy reporting to you from the Spirit of Prophecy and the Bible about what is happening. I do not like to see people lose their souls. I am not happy about that, but I cannot help it. I tell them, and they will not listen. They say that I am a fanatic. Is anybody listening? Is anybody willing to live by the Word of God? Is anybody willing to say, Yes, I will still believe, and I will still spread the Three Angels’ Messages?

The Three Angels’ Messages will triumph. They are infallible. If you stay with them, you will triumph also. I have decided that this is where I want to stay. I am not going to attend a church where the Three Angels’ Messages are not preached, no matter what name is on the front of the building. It is the Three Angels’ Messages that are going to triumph, not a name.

[Bible texts quoted are literal translation.]

Pastor John Grosboll is Director of Steps to Life and pastors the Prairie Meadows Church in Wichita, Kansas. He may be contacted by e-mail at: historic@stepstolife.org, or by telephone at: 316-788-5559.

The Pen of Inspiration – Adornment

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As I have seen many Sabbathkeeping Adventists becoming worldly in thought, conversation, and dress, my heart has been saddened. The people who claim to believe that they have the last message of mercy to give to the world, are attracted by worldly fashions, and make great exertions to follow them as far as they think their profession of faith allows them to go. Worldly dress among our people is so noticeable that unbelievers frequently remark, “In their dress you cannot distinguish them from the world.” …

Those who meet the world’s standard are not few in numbers. We are grieved to see that they are exerting an influence, leading others to follow their example. When I see those who have named the name of Christ, aping the fashions introduced by worldlings, I have the most painful reflections. Their lack of Christlikeness is apparent to all. In the outward adorning there is revealed to worldlings as well as to Christians an absence of the inward adorning, the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which in the sight of God is of great price. . . .

Heart Condition Indicated

The house of God is profaned by the dress of professedly Christian women of today. A fantastic dress, a display of gold chains and gaudy laces, is a certain indication of a weak head and a proud heart. …

The one who is simple and unpretending in her dress and in her manners shows that she understands that a true lady is characterized by moral worth.

Self-denial in dress is a part of our Christian duty. To dress plainly, abstaining from display of jewelry and ornaments of every kind, is in keeping with our faith. Are we of the number who see the folly of worldlings in indulging in extravagance of dress as well as in love of amusements? If so, we should be of that class who shun everything that gives sanction to this spirit which takes possession of the minds and hearts of those who live for this world only and who have no thought or care for the next.

Where Are We Drifting?

A sister who had spent some weeks at one of our institutions in Battle Creek said that she felt much disappointed in what she saw and heard there. …

Before accepting the truth, she had followed the fashions of the world in her dress, and had worn costly jewelry and other ornaments; but upon deciding to obey the word of God, she felt that its teachings required her to lay aside all extravagant and superfluous adorning. She was taught that Seventh-day Adventists did not wear jewelry, gold, silver, or precious stones, and that they did not conform to worldly fashions in their dress.

When she saw among those who profess the faith such a wide departure from Bible simplicity, she felt bewildered. Had they not the same Bible which she had been studying, and to which she had endeavored to conform her life? Had her past experience been mere fanaticism? Had she misinterpreted the words of the apostle, “The friendship of the world is enmity with God, for whosoever will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God”? [James 4:4.]

Mrs. D., a lady occupying a position in the institution, was visiting at Sister —-’s room one day, when the latter took out of her trunk a gold necklace and chain, and said she wished to dispose of this jewelry and put the proceeds into the Lord’s treasury. Said the other, “Why do you sell it? I would wear it if it were mine.” “Why,” replied Sister —-, “when I received the truth, I was taught that all these things must be laid aside. Surely they are contrary to the teachings of God’s Word.” And she cited her hearer to the words of the apostles, Paul and Peter, upon this point, “In like manner, also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.” “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel. 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.” [1 Timothy 2:9, 10; 1 Peter 3:3, 4.]

In answer, the lady displayed a gold ring on her finger, given her by an unbeliever, and said she thought it no harm to wear such ornaments. “We are not so particular,” said she, “as formerly. Our people have been over-scrupulous in their opinions upon the subject of dress. The ladies of this institution wear gold watches and gold chains, and dress like other people. It is not good policy to be singular in our dress; for we cannot exert so much influence.”

Conformity to Christ or to the World

We inquire, Is this in accordance with the teachings of Christ? Are we to follow the word of God or the customs of the world? Our sister decided that it was safest to adhere to the Bible standard. Will Mrs. D. and others who pursue a similar course be pleased to meet the result of their influence in that day when every man shall receive according to his works?

God’s word is plain. Its teachings cannot be mistaken. Shall we obey it, just as He has given it to us, or shall we seek to find how far we can digress and yet be saved? …

Conformity to the world is a sin which is sapping the spirituality of our people, and seriously interfering with their usefulness. It is idle to proclaim the warning message to the world, while we deny it in the transactions of daily life.

Practice Self-denial

Those who have bracelets, and wear gold and ornaments, had better take these idols from their persons and sell them, even if it should be for much less than they gave for them, and thus practice self-denial. Time is too short to adorn the body with gold or silver or costly apparel. I know a good work can be done in this line. Jesus, the Commander in the heavenly courts, laid aside His crown of royalty and His royal robe and stepped down from His royal throne, and clothed His divinity with the habiliments of humanity, and for our sakes became poor, that we through His poverty might come into possession of eternal riches, and yet the very ones for whom Christ has done everything that was possible to do to save perishing souls from eternal ruin feel so little disposition to deny themselves anything that they have money to buy.

Let us live simply, and work in simplicity. Let us dress in such a modest, becoming way that we will be received wherever we go. Jewelry and expensive dress will not give us influence, but the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit—the result of devotion to the service of Christ—will give us power with God. Kindness and forethought for those about us are qualities precious in the sight of heaven. If you have not given attention to the acquirement of these graces, do so now, for you have no time to lose.

Selected Messages, Book 3, 243–249.

[All emphasis added.]

Jewelry—How Much is Too Much?

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I am intrigued by clever oxymorons. An oxymoron is a statement or pairing of two words that contradict each other, such as “pretty ugly.” A few humorous personal favorites are “military intelligence” and “rap music” (the rap I have heard does not even slightly resemble music). Some oxymorons are more serious, like “little sin,” “innocent gossip,” and “safe premarital sex.”

A few years back while wandering through a Christian bookstore, I came upon a glass display case with a sign above it that read “Christian Jewelry.” I thought to myself, now there’s another clever oxymoron—something like “Christian rock.” The Bible clearly teaches that “Christian jewelry” is a conflict in terms.

The Fruit, Not the Root!

The power of the gospel begins on the inside, transforming the heart while unseen by human eyes. But then it will continue to flow and seep into every area of the life, producing obvious external changes. Just like a plant, the seed first comes to life below the earth. But if the root is healthy, the plant will soon become visible and bear fruit above ground. Jesus said, “By their fruits ye shall know them.” Matthew 7:20.

Notice that He did not say you will know them by their roots that grow underground. He said the fruit, not the root! Therefore, we are commanded to be aware of the external evidence of our faith.

When a person accepts Christ as Lord, the Holy Spirit begins impressing that individual to make dramatic adjustments. There will often be changes in what appears on the table during dinner and on the television after supper. (It would be better if the television disappeared altogether.) From the bookshelf to the closet, Jesus will penetrate the whole life.

Even though the Scriptures plainly address the subject of a Christian’s external appearance and adornment, many churches are strangely silent on this subject. No doubt someone is thinking, “With all the problems in the church, why would you want to focus on something so insignificant and widely accepted?” Well, friends, remember that Jesus said, “For that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.” Luke 16:15.

I believe there are unseen and subtle dangers connected with the wearing of jewelry. So if you are a converted Christian who seeks to know how to better reflect the Lord in these last days, please keep your mind open as we reason together from the Scriptures.

God’s Ambassadors

We, the Church, are the hands and feet, the eyes and mouth, and yes, even the ears of Jesus in the world today. We are the Body of Christ. Our Lord said, “As [my] Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” John 20:21.

We have been sent into the world to demonstrate who Jesus is and what He is like. Through the Holy Spirit we become His representatives—to reflect His image in everything from the way we talk and work to the way we eat and dress. In 11 Corinthians 3:18, the Scripture says that “we all . . . are changed into the same image from glory to glory, [even] as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

A few years ago, scandals surrounded several popular television evangelists in North America. Those opposed to Christianity rejoiced, mocking the immorality and hypocrisy exhibited in the lives of these men and their wives who professed to speak for Jesus. During this tragic time, the secular media often made reference to their flamboyant dress and gaudy jewelry as proof that these professed Christians were not genuine. The television preachers even inspired one famous songwriter to write a popular ballad entitled, “Would Jesus Wear a Rolex?” I am sure angels wept as Christian leaders, due to their immodest appearance, became a deserving target for the lost. It is a sad day indeed when Christians win the medal for opulent external adornment!

Wearing Our Wealth

Let us take a look at the origin of jewelry. God made all the gold, silver, and beautiful precious jewels in the world, and He intended for them to have a practical use. Since even small amounts of these minerals are so rare and valuable, long ago they began to be used as money.

Over time, people began wearing their money in order to impress others with their wealth. When shoppers went to the market to buy an expensive item, they would simply pull off one of their rings or bracelets to pay.

After Rebecca had watered the camels for Abraham’s servant, the Bible says that he paid her in this way: “And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten [shekels] weight of gold.” Genesis 24:22.

When the children of Israel brought an offering to the Lord to build the tabernacle, they used the jewels they had received from the Egyptians. It was their money. “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.” Exodus 35:22.

There is obviously nothing wrong with having money. But the question is, Does God want Christians to wear their money for all to see? “The love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith.” 1 Timothy 6:10.

Remember, just because we see something done in the Bible does not mean that God approved of it or condoned it. The Scriptures simply record a faithful history of God’s people—including all their failures. Jesus did not come to lower the standard for Christians. He came to raise it!

Why Be a Stumbling Block?

One reason I do not drink any alcohol is because one person in seven who drinks later becomes an alcoholic. Even though I might be able to drink moderately, I do not want my bad example to cause another person’s downfall—especially for something so unnecessary as intoxicating beverages.

The same principle holds true for jewelry. We have all seen people who cover themselves with gold and precious jewels—gem-aholics, if you will. Most people who wear lots of jewelry do not sense their personal worth. They hope to feel more valuable by covering themselves with expensive articles. Others believe they are unattractive and hope to increase their perceived beauty by adorning themselves with beautiful gems. They cannot control themselves. They think that if one is good, then ten would be better. (Just for the record, I have never heard a man say, “Isn’t she beautiful? Just look at her jewelry!”) I am sure everyone would agree that there is a point when enough is enough!

Well, what is the point? If it is okay for women to wear earrings, then who is to say it is wrong for men? If one ring or earring is acceptable, then why not three or four? If the laymen can wear it, why not the clergy? If a ring in the ear is all right, then what is wrong with a bone in the nose?

Have you noticed the modern craze of body piercing—four earrings in one ear and rings in the nose with a chain between them? People are now piercing their flesh and wearing rings in their eyebrows, navels, and places we cannot mention in a Christian publication. Why would a Christian want to be a stumbling block for someone else and encourage this trend by wearing any jewelry? It is all unnecessary.

Speaking of people living in the time of the end, the prophet Ezekiel warns, “They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumbling block of their iniquity.” Ezekiel 7:19.

Since it is a sin to covet, then why would you want to entice a brother or sister to covet your money by wearing it for all to see? What could possibly be the motive for a Christian to do this?

If I were to wear any jewelry, I would instantly open the floodgates of inconsistency by my example and cause many to stumble. If I really love my brother, why would I insist on taking that risk for something so unnecessary as jewelry?

Whenever you are unsure about which course to take on a spiritual issue, take the safe position. I know that on the judgment day, God will not condemn me for not wearing enough jewelry. So the safe thing is to not wear any.

Modesty and Humility

The original purpose for clothing was to cover the nakedness of our first parents. Adam and Eve never would have dreamed of hanging gold or silver on their bodies to accent their fig leaves! Clothing was for modesty and to protect them from the changing climate. Someday God will place a golden crown of victory on the brow of the overcomers, yet even the saved will remove their golden crowns in God’s presence. (Revelation 4:10, 11.)

Notice what God told the prophet Isaiah about jewelry and fancy clothing. “Moreover the Lord says: ‘Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, And walk with outstretched necks And wanton’ that is, seductive ‘eyes, Walking and mincing’ that is, swaying ‘[as] they go, . . .’ In that day the Lord will take away the finery: The jingling anklets, the scarves, and the crescents; The pendants, the bracelets, and the veils; The headdresses, the leg ornaments, and the headbands; The perfume boxes, the charms, and the rings; The nose jewels, the festal apparel, and the mantles; The outer garments, the purses, and the mirrors; The fine linen, the turbans, and the robes.” Isaiah 3:16, 18–23, NKJV. A woman in Bible prophecy symbolizes a church. In this prophecy, the women (churches) were to be severely judged because of their pride, which is directly connected with external adornment.

Because we wrestle with sin and temptation, now is not the right time to glorify our exteriors. The supreme goal of the Christian is to attract attention to Christ, not to self. Decorating our mortal bodies with glittering gems and minerals springs from pride and is diametrically opposed to the spirit and principles of Jesus.

The apostle Paul gave this counsel on the subject of adornment. “In like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.” 1 Timothy 2:9, 10, NKJV.

And Jesus Himself commanded: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16. God’s Word tells us to let our inner light (not our external jewels) shine that others might see our works (not our wealth) and glorify God (not ourselves).

Poor “Investments”

Christians are to be faithful stewards of the means God entrusts to their care. Some display gems on their bodies that, if sold, could build an entire church in the mission field. Our money should be spent to spread the gospel in a practical, effective way. (See Matthew 6:19–21.)

No doubt you will find glaring examples among church members (and in churches) where money has been squandered on some needless extravagance. I confess I too have been guilty of this. But one inconsistency never justifies another. God’s money should not be spent for parading diamonds and gold or even cheap costume jewelry. All the jewelry will melt when Jesus comes, and I would prefer not to be wearing any when that happens! Besides, in heaven the gold will be used for pavement and the diamonds for walls.

James 5:3 declares the folly of such “investments”: “Your gold and silver is cankered;” that is, corroded “and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.” The only valuables going to heaven will be transformed people.

Little Idols

When I present the Bible truth regarding jewelry, I rarely hear complaints from those who are newly converted. But the folks who have been in the church for years will often pout and argue, “Doug, it is such a little thing.” Then why is it so hard for you to take it off? A little gold or silver can become a big idol.

Perhaps the most striking demonstration of this fact was the experience of the Israelites with the golden calf. The Bible records: “And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which [are] in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring [them] unto me. And all the people brake off the golden earrings which [were] in their ears, and brought [them] unto Aaron. And he received [them] at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These [be] thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.” Exodus 32:2–4.

When the children of Israel passed the plate, they had enough jewelry to make a small calf. I fear if we were to pass the plate today in the churches of those who profess to follow God’s Word, we would have enough jewelry to make a whole golden buffalo!

After the golden calf experience, God commanded the people to remove their jewelry lest they be consumed. “For the Lord had said unto Moses, Say unto the children of Israel, Ye [are] a stiff-necked 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.” Exodus 33:5, 6.

Notice the similar warning God gives to His people living in the last days: “In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats; To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.” Isaiah 2:20, 21.

Dressing for the Occasion

There was a time when God winked at the wearing of jewelry and other evils such as slavery and polygamy. It was not because He approved of these practices, but because His people had bigger problems to deal with at that point in time.

Acts 17:30, 31 tells us: “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent.” Why? “Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness.”

We are living in the days just before the coming of Jesus—a time in which the church is being judged. “For the time [is come] that judgment must begin at the house of God.” 1 Peter 4:17.

As an illustration of the judgment process, God gave to His people the Day of Atonement. It fell on the tenth day of the seventh month in the Jewish year and was a solemn day on which the Lord would sanctify and judge the children of Israel. In preparation, the people conducted a thorough personal examination. They were filled with an attitude of confession, repentance, and humility. “For it [is] the Day of Atonement, to make atonement for you before the Lord your God. For any person who is not afflicted in soul on that same day shall be cut off from his people.” Leviticus 23:28, 29, NKJV.

Whenever the people of God were preparing to meet with their Maker, they were to clean and change their clothes and to separate themselves from all pagan influences. Here is one example from Genesis 35:1–4: “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. 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.”

We can learn two very important lessons from this story. First, notice that the foreign gods and jewelry were classified and buried together. Pagan worship and jewelry have always enjoyed a close association. And in order for Jacob and his household to commune with God, they had to get rid of all such influences. Thus Jacob ordered not a temporary removal of these articles, but a permanent burial.

Secondly, the word Bethel means “House of God.” We are now living in the time of judgment and are preparing to meet with the Almighty. Now is not the time to adorn our mortal exteriors. If we look like the world when Jesus comes, there is a good chance we will share its fate! “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you.” 11 Corinthians 6:17.

We Are God’s Temple

The most beautiful building of antiquity was the temple of God built by King Solomon. Its exterior was covered with precious, pure white marble stones. The gold was on the inside of the temple. The Bible says that this is a good pattern for living temples, as well. “Your beauty should reside, not in outward adornment—the braiding of the hair, or jewelery, or dress—but in the inmost centre of your being, with its imperishable ornament, a gentle, quiet spirit, which is of high value in the sight of God.” 1 Peter 3:3, 4, NEB. Like Solomon’s temple of old, our gold should be on the inside!

Friend, your body was made by God in His image. To try to improve human appearance by poking holes in the ears or nose from which to dangle lifeless minerals would be like trying to improve on the perfect beauty of Solomon’s temple by releasing a street gang in the marble courtyard and telling them to express themselves with spray paint. “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God.” 11 Corinthians 6:16.

I believe angels turn away their faces and weep when professed Christians pierce, scar, chain, mutilate, and tattoo their bodies as a sacrifice to the gods of fad and fashion. Leviticus 21:5, 6 plainly says: “They shall not make . . . any cuttings in their flesh. They shall be holy unto their God.” And if God says we should not cut our bodies, what makes us think that piercing the ears is somehow permissible?

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and [that] the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which [temple] ye are.” 1 Corinthians 3:16, 17. In essence, you should not poke holes in priceless marble. Our bodies are to be holy—not full of holes.

First Appearances Do Count!

Two symbolic women appear in Revelation chapters 12 and 17. They represent the two great religious powers that are in conflict throughout church history. Although neither of them ever speaks, we know that one is true and one false. How? The primary way the Bible identifies who they are is by what they are wearing.

Revelation 12:1 says, “And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars.” The first woman, who represents God’s church, is wearing natural light. God made the sun, moon, and stars, and His church is clothed with the light that He made.

By contrast, the second woman, who represents an apostate church, is bedecked with jewelry and fine apparel. Her beauty is external and artificial. Revelation 17:4 says, “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.”

Obviously, these things are associated with an appearance of evil, and we are commanded to “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” 1 Thessalonians 5:22.

Christ Is Our Example

At this point, someone may be wondering, “What about a wedding ring?”

Very simply, support for the wedding ring cannot be found anywhere in the Bible. It is strictly a tradition that springs from paganism and has since been embraced and “baptized” by many churches. “And he [Jesus] said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.” Mark 7:9.

I have also been asked many times if wearing a cross would be okay. Well, Jesus never asked us to wear the cross. Taking up our cross and following Jesus is much more challenging than wearing a bumper sticker, tee shirt, or little golden cross as frivolous advertising. Jesus said that bearing the cross means a Christian will “deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Luke 9:23.

The example of Jesus in the Scriptures is consistently one of practical simplicity and modesty. When he was crucified, the Roman soldiers divided his garments among themselves. Notice that they did not cast lots for His jewelry. His most valuable piece of clothing was a modest, seamless tunic. (John 19:23, 24.)

Here is a message that bears repeating. When we love Jesus, we will want to follow His example. “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” 1 John 2:6, NKJV.

Change of Ownership

In the small town where I used to live, there was a house that was well-known for its dilapidated appearance. Broken down trucks, garbage, and miscellaneous junk cluttered the whole yard. The peeling paint, broken windows, and hungry yard dogs were an embarrassment to the entire community. Then one day, after taking an extended trip, I drove back through town and was stunned by the dramatic change that had come over this infamous structure. The old, peeling paint had been stripped off, and a beautiful natural stain now covered the wood. Clean, new windows had replaced the broken ones, and all the junk and old vehicles were gone. The yard was clean and covered with new grass. I did not even have to ask what had caused the change. Instantly I knew that the house had a new owner.

All of us have at one time or another resembled that old, broken-down house. Sin reigned in our hearts, leaving us broken, filthy, and cluttered. But whenever a person allows Jesus to take over the heart, a cleansing process begins immediately. Jesus will remove those things that distract from the Christian’s inner beauty, and people will notice the improvement!

Jesus laid aside His heavenly throne and crown when He came to our world to save us. Then He surrendered His earthly garments when He died on the cross for our sins. Is He asking too much for us to lay aside our lifeless baubles and beads that we might better reflect His simple purity in this lost world?

As we have seen in this study, there are many good reasons for Christians to abstain from wearing jewelry. But if I had to pick two of the best, it would be these—love for God and love for our neighbors.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1, 2.

Inside Report, Amazing Facts, Roseville, California, November 1996.

Doug Batchelor is President and Speaker of Amazing Facts Ministry, Roseville, California. He may be contacted by telephone at: 916-434-3880. This article is reprinted by permission.

Restoring the Temple – Dress: A Part of Health Reform

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Many who profess to be Christians spend so much on dress that they have nothing to spare for the needs of others. Costly ornaments and expensive clothing they think they must have, regardless of the needs of those who can with difficulty provide themselves with even the plainest clothing. . . .

“My sisters, if you would bring your manner of dressing into conformity with the rules given in the Bible, you would have an abundance with which to help your poorer sisters. You would have not only means, but time. Often this is most needed. There are many whom you might help with your suggestions, your tact and skill. Show them how to dress simply and yet tastefully. Many a woman remains away from the house of God because her shabby, ill-fitting garments are in such striking contrast to the dress of others. Many a sensitive spirit cherishes a sense of bitter humiliation and injustice because of this contrast. And because of it many are led to doubt the reality of religion and to harden their hearts against the gospel.” The Ministry of Healing, 207.

“In the professed Christian world enough is expended for jewels and needlessly expensive dress to feed all the hungry and to clothe the naked. Fashion and display absorb the means that might comfort the poor and the suffering.” Ibid., 287.

Healthful Dress

“Our clothing, while modest and simple, should be of good quality, of becoming colors, and suited for service. It should be chosen for durability rather than display. It should provide warmth and proper protection. . . .

“Our dress should be cleanly. Uncleanliness in dress is unhealthful, and thus defiling to the body and to the soul. . . .

“In all respects the dress should be healthful. ‘Above all things,’ God desires us to ‘be in health’—health of body and of soul. [111 John 2.] And we are to be workers together with Him for the health of both soul and body. Both are promoted by healthful dress.” Ibid., 288.

Contrary to Scripture

“How contrary to the principles given in the Scriptures are many of the modes of dress that fashion prescribes! Think of the styles that have prevailed for the last few hundreds of years or even for the last few decades. How many of them, when not in fashion, would be declared immodest; how many would be pronounced inappropriate for a refined, God-fearing, self-respecting woman.

“The making of changes in apparel for the sake of fashion merely is not sanctioned by the word of God. Changing styles and elaborate, costly ornamentation squander the time and means of the rich, and lay waste the energies of mind and soul. They impose a heavy burden on the middle and poorer classes. Many who can hardly earn a livelihood, and who with simple modes might make their own clothing, are compelled to resort to the dressmaker in order to be in fashion. Many a poor girl, for the sake of a stylish gown, has deprived herself of warm underwear, and paid the penalty with her life. Many another, coveting the display and elegance of the rich, has been enticed into paths of dishonesty and shame. Many a home is deprived of comforts, many a man is driven to embezzlement or bankruptcy, to satisfy the extravagant demands of the wife or children.

“Many a woman, forced to prepare for herself or her children the stylish costumes demanded by fashion, is doomed to ceaseless drudgery. Many a mother with throbbing nerves and trembling fingers toils far into the night to add to her children’s clothing ornamentation that contributes nothing to healthfulness, comfort, or real beauty. For the sake of fashion she sacrifices health and that calmness of spirit so essential to the right guidance of her children. The culture of mind and heart is neglected.” Ibid., 290.

“Almost as soon as they come into the world the children are subjected to fashion’s influence. They hear more of dress than of their Saviour. They see their mothers consulting the fashion plates more earnestly than the Bible. The display of dress is treated as of greater importance than the development of character. Parents and children are robbed of that which is best and sweetest and truest in life. For fashion’s sake they are cheated out of a preparation for the life to come.

“It was the adversary of all good who instigated the invention of the ever-changing fashions. He desires nothing so much as to bring grief and dishonor to God by working the misery and ruin of human beings. One of the means by which he most effectually accomplishes this is the devices of fashion that weaken the body as well as enfeeble the mind and belittle the soul.” Ibid., 291.

Evils of Fashion

“[A] serious evil is the wearing of skirts so that their weight must be sustained by the hips. This heavy weight, pressing upon the internal organs, drags them downward and causes weakness of the stomach and a feeling of lassitude [fatigue], inclining the wearer to stoop, which further cramps the lungs, making correct breathing more difficult.” Ibid., 292.

“Another evil which custom fosters is the unequal distribution of the clothing, so that while some parts of the body have more than is required, others are insufficiently clad. The feet and limbs, being remote from the vital organs, should be especially guarded from cold by abundant clothing. It is impossible to have health when the extremities are habitually cold; for if there is too little blood in them there will be too much in other portions of the body. Perfect health requires a perfect circulation; but this cannot be had while three or four times as much clothing is worn upon the body, where the vital organs are situated, as upon the feet and limbs. . . .

“Many women have become confirmed invalids when they might have enjoyed health, and many have died of consumption [tuberculosis] and other diseases when they might have lived their allotted term of life had they dressed in accordance with health principles and exercised freely in the open air.

“In order to secure the most healthful clothing, the needs of every part of the body must be carefully studied. The character of the climate, the surroundings, the condition of health, the age, and the occupation must all be considered. Every article of dress should fit easily, obstructing neither the circulation of the blood nor a free, full, natural respiration. Everything worn should be so loose that when the arms are raised the clothing will be correspondingly lifted.” Ibid., 293.

Grace and Natural Beauty

“[Dress] should have the grace, the beauty, the appropriateness of natural simplicity. Christ has warned us against the pride of life, but not against its grace and natural beauty. He pointed to the flowers of the field, to the lily unfolding in its purity, and said, ‘Even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.’ Matthew 6:29. Thus by the things of nature Christ illustrates the beauty that heaven values, the modest grace, the simplicity, the purity, the appropriateness, that would make our attire pleasing to Him.” Ibid., 289.

Ellen G. White (1827–1915) wrote more than 5,000 periodical articles and 40 books during her lifetime. Today, including compilations from her 50,000 pages of manuscript, more than 100 titles are available in English.

Peter’s Counsel to Parents, Part IV

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These words [11 Peter 1:1–13] should mean a great deal to us; and we should study this chapter diligently, that we may learn to practice the virtues it presents before us. If we do these things, the apostle says, we “shall never fall.” It is of great consequence to us in our spiritual experience that we have the assurance that we are treading securely and walking understandingly in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I wish this afternoon to address particularly the parents and children. These should understand that they have solemn obligations resting upon them—the most solemn that ever rested upon mortals. Let parents take up their work and labor intelligently for the salvation of their families.

Children be Prepared for Eternity

Fathers and mothers, we are verging upon the eternal world, and that which we should now most earnestly seek to understand is what we should do to inherit eternal life. If you will follow on to know the Lord, you will know that His going forth is prepared as the morning. We must prepare for the great crisis that is just before us. Will you not sense your responsibilities in regard to the education and training of your children in spiritual matters?

Here are the children. Your daughters are inclined, if they see a dress different from that which they have, to desire a dress similar to that. Or perhaps they want something else that they see others have, which you do not feel would be in accordance with your faith to grant them. Will you allow them to tease this thing out of you, letting them mold you instead of molding them according to the principles of the gospel? Our children are very precious in the sight of God. Let us teach them the word of God and train them in His ways. It is your privilege to teach your children to live so that they will have the commendation of heaven.

Are we preparing for heaven? We say we are; and we ought to be making ready for the future immortal life. We should be so conducting ourselves that we shall make right impressions upon those who are brought in contact with us. Let us not encourage our children to follow the fashions of the world; and if we will be faithful in giving them a right training, they will not do this. But if you let your children rule you, they will surely get away from the pure principles of the word of God and will walk in the ways of the world. Let them see how much the Lord sacrificed in their behalf when He came to this world. There was everything to oppose His advance, yet He gave us a perfect example in every detail of life—just the example that we follow and teach our children to follow.

Proper Dress for Children

Dress your children in simple and neat clothes, but do not let them have anything that they may suppose they want. They may ask for a dress that is cut low in the neck because it is the fashion to wear them so. Who has supposed such a fashion? It is not a right fashion, and we should not allow ourselves to consider it right. We should dress our children in such a way that they will learn to fashion their lives in simple orderly lines. We are to be preparing for the grand review that is soon to take place, and our children must have a part in this work of preparation. We want the light, the pure light of heaven, to shine into our hearts.

Heaven’s Interest in Children

All heaven is interested in our children, and parents grieve the Spirit of God when they fail to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Parents, be kind to your children, but be firm. Let them see that you mean all that you tell them. The fashions of the world often take a ridiculous form, and you must take a firm position against them. Our manner of dress, as well as our deportment, is to be a ministry, an education.

Parents, you are responsible for the work of bringing up your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. These children need instruction line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little. You may feel annoyed sometimes because your children go contrary to what you have told them. But have you ever thought that many times you go contrary to what the Lord has commanded you to do that you might prepare yourselves for His work and know His will as revealed in His word? If you will follow on to know the Lord you can make a splendid representation of Christ before the world.

Gentleness in Discipline

Never manifest passion when your children do wrong. When the mother gives her child a jerk or a blow, do you think it enables him to see the beauty of the Christian character? No indeed; it only tends to raise evil feelings in the heart, and the child is not corrected at all. We need to consider, as we endeavor to do our duty intelligently, that our children are to be brought into right relation to God, that they may have an entrance through the gates into the City of God and have right to all the advantages that heaven can give.

Forming Children’s Characters

We have but little time now. Let us prepare earnestly for the solemn scenes of the future. The Lord would have us work under the direction of His word. It does not show any true love to let your children do as they please, and to think that in doing so they are doing just right. Husband and wife should be united in the work of seeking to form in their children correct habits of speech and conduct. If they will draw constantly in Christ’s lines, the will of Christ will be rule in their lives, and they will see of the salvation of God in their homes. Let them invite the Spirit of God to act His part in training the children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. With this power to help in every time of need, they will obtain the victory.

Has not God given you every evidence of His love? Did He not allow Jesus to come to this world as our pattern? Men could not endure the perfection of Christ’s character, and they took and crucified Him. There is a crucifixion that must go on in our lives, a constant dying to self and sin. We must walk circumspectly, that our lives may preach the gospel of Christ to those with whom we associate. If we will speak and walk circumspectly, the light of Christ will be revealed in our lives.

I desired at the beginning of my talk to speak these words to you. I leave them with you to think about. Let us be faithful to the duties of the home life. Let your children understand that obedience must reign there. Teach them to distinguish between that which is sensible and that which is foolish in the matter of dress, and furnish them with clothes that are neat and simple. As a people who are preparing for the soon return of Christ we should give to the world an example of modest dress in contrast with the prevailing fashion of the day. Talk these things over, and plan wisely what you will do, then carry out your plans in your families. Determine to be guided by higher principles than the notions and desires of your children.

Seek Confession of Heart

Parents need to come up on a higher platform. They have a sacred work to do in bringing their children into harmony with Christ. Parents, do not neglect this work. You need to move constantly in the counsel and fear of the Lord God of Israel. Talk with your children in regard to the lessons of the word; pray with them. Seek for confession of heart from them. Show them which is the wrong and which is the right way, and their need of yielding their wills to the will of God if they would be overcomers. I see many parents taking a course with their children that will shut them out of the kingdom of God. O that these might now repent, and seek to redeem the time, that God might help them to act their part.

I did not expect to speak more than a few words to you this afternoon. I want you to have the light and blessing that the Lord desires to give you. Reach out for these blessings, seek for a fitness for eternal life, that others may see that you are coming into harmony with heaven. When the soul takes its position on the side of right, all heaven is filled with rejoicing and praise and thanksgiving. Shall we not take hold with Christ to do our best? Pray with your children. Impress their minds with the thought that Christ was given to our world that we might love His beauty of character and seek to follow Him in every particular. If you will follow on to know the Lord, the blessing of God will rest upon you. We need to glorify God more than we do, to praise Him with uplifted soul. If we would study more faithfully the virtues of His character, we would desire to be more like Him. If in the minor points we would carry out the directions of the Lord, He will give us strength to follow Him in the large matters. We need to see the necessity of bringing the principles of the truth into every purpose and action of the life.

There is a large work to be carried on in this locality. Consider how God has wrought to bring these buildings into our possession. We have made every possible effort to establish the work in this place; and there are but few who know of the real difficulties we have had to meet. Now we are in possession and, for this I thank the Lord with heart and soul and voice.

Contrary to the World

There are many here who will need to take their position directly contrary to the world’s customs and fashions. They may not want to do this, but this must make no difference. We are to have a large experience here in a little while, and everything should be brought into line with right principles. Here are men and women of capability. We want you to realize your capabilities, and act your part in carrying out the purposes of God for this place. Here are men who are preparing to enter on high positions of truth; but they are not ready for these positions. They need to be reconverted, and to let the blessing of God come into the life to transform the character. If those who come here to obtain an education will seek to help in every possible way, God will multiply blessings to them, and giving them His knowledge and His grace will make them overcomers through the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.

(Manuscript 45, 1911. Sermon at Loma Linda, California, November 6, 1911.)

To be continued . . .

“Simplicity . . . no single word could describe Ellen G. White as accurately as this one. Born into a family where the deeper values of life took priority over social standing, surrounded by the grueling poverty of the early 1800s and severely handicapped, she found herself elevated from mediocrity to a position of guiding leadership in a great church, her actions aided and directed by a seemingly endless number of inspired revelations.” Rene Noorbergen, Ellen G. White Prophet of Destiny, TEACH Services, Inc., Brushton, New York, 2001, vii.

Food for Life — Sesame Crackers

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June! The official month that summer begins. How beautiful nature is at this time of the year. And how we should remember the Creator, who gave us this array of beauty to delight our senses and constantly remind us of Him.

This month we want to mention dress. “The Bible teaches modesty in dress. ‘In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel.’ 1 Timothy 2:9. This forbids display in dress, gaudy colors, profuse ornamentation. Any device designed to attract attention to the wearer or to excite admiration, is excluded from the modest apparel which God’s word enjoins.

“Our dress is to be inexpensive—not with ‘gold, or pearls, or costly array.’ Verse 9.

“Money is a trust from God. It is not ours to expend for the gratification of pride or ambition. In the hands of God’s children it is food for the hungry, and clothing for the naked. It is a defense to the oppressed, a means of health to the sick, a means of preaching the gospel to the poor. You could bring happiness to many hearts by using wisely the means that is now spent for show. Consider the life of Christ. Study His character, and be partakers with Him in His self-denial.

“In the professed Christian world enough is expended for jewels and needlessly expensive dress to feed all the hungry and to clothe the naked. Fashion and display absorb the means that might comfort the poor and the suffering. They rob the world of the gospel of the Saviour’s love. Missions languish. Multitudes perish for want of Christian teaching. Beside our own doors and in foreign lands the heathen are untaught and unsaved. While God has laden the earth with His bounties and filled its storehouses with the comforts of life, while He has so freely given to us a saving knowledge of His truth, what excuse can we offer for permitting the cries of the widow and the fatherless, the sick and the suffering, the untaught and the unsaved, to ascend to heaven? In the day of God, when brought face to face with Him who gave His life for these needy ones, what excuse will those offer who are spending their time and money upon indulgences that God has forbidden? To such will not Christ say, ‘I was anhungered, and ye gave Me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me no drink . . . naked, and ye clothed Me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited Me not’? Matthew 25:42, 43.

“But our clothing, while modest and simple, should be of good quality, of becoming colors, and suited for service. It should be chosen for durability rather than display. It should provide warmth and proper protection . . .

“Our dress should be cleanly. Uncleanliness in dress is unhealthful, and thus defiling to the body and to the soul. ‘Ye are the temple of God . . . If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy.’ 1 Corinthians 3:16, 17 . . .

“It should have the grace, the beauty, the appropriateness of natural simplicity. Christ has warned us against the pride of life, but not against its grace and natural beauty . . .

“The most beautiful dress He bids us wear upon the soul. No outward adorning can compare in value or loveliness with that ‘meek and quiet spirit’ which in His sight is ‘of great price.’ 1 Peter 3:4.” The Ministry of Healing, 287–289.

Sesame Crackers

Blend together the following:

2 cups oatmeal

1/2 cup cashews

1/2 cup sunflower seeds

Then add:

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup corn flour

1/2 cup rye flour

1/2 cup sesame seeds

1 t. sea salt

2 T. Fruit Source granules

Mix thoroughly and add enough nut milk (oat, rice or soy) to hold together and form a ball. Roll between wax paper and cut crackers out with a cookie cutter. Bake at 350° for 20–30 minutes.

 

Proper Christian Dress

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Not all the topics in the Bible are of equal importance. The cross of Jesus is the central attraction of the Christian religion. It is the topic of paramount importance. If you do not understand the cross, then you do not understand the basis of the Christian religion. The law of God is also very important. It was because the law was broken that Jesus had to go to the cross. That makes the law of extreme consequence. The subject of this article, dress and adornment, is not as important as the cross, or the law or the Sabbath, and the apostles and the prophets did not dwell on it at length. Ellen White also distinctly said that is should not be made a test question. You are probably wondering, then, why I am writing this article. Here are the reasons I choose to write on this topic:

  1. Many people will lose their souls over this issue.
  2. Jesus, the apostles and the prophets did preach and write about it, although they did not make it a major issue.
  3. Many Christians, including many attending Adventist Churches, have never heard this subject preached about. Some have concluded that since they have never heard it preached about, it does not really matter. That is not true.
  4. Some have concluded that historic Adventists do not believe or teach what inspiration says about dress, because it is preached about so seldom.

I have been thinking about this subject for years and saying to myself, “I have to say something about it.” In order to have a clear conscience, I want to share with you what the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy have to say about dress and adornment. Because so many ministers have been afraid to speak on this subject, God’s professed people are in a backslidden condition on the issue of dress. Ministers then, are partly to blame for this sad state. The apostle Paul said to the elders of the church at Ephesus, “I have not failed to declare to you all the counsel of God.” If I am going to declare to you all the counsel of God, I have to write something about dress and adornment.

First of all, let us begin by looking at some verses that contain the basic principles of how Christians should dress. Ephesians 5:25 says: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loves the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.”

What is it referring to when it says it should be without spots or wrinkles? It is talking about our clothes. Clothing in the Bible is a symbol of a person’s character, but this applies to our physical clothes as well. We should do our best to keep our clothes without spots and wrinkles, just as we want our character’s to be. This leads us to principle number one.

 

Cleanliness

 

Just before God came and gave the Ten Commandments to the Israelites, He gave them instructions about their clothes. “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes.’ ” Exodus 19:10. [Emphasis supplied.]

This is the first principle about dress and adornment in the Bible. No matter what our economic level is, we can be clean. If you are a Christian, you are a son or a daughter of the King, and the King whose you are said, “I want you to be clean. I want your clothes to be clean and without spots or wrinkles.”

 

Neatness & Order

 

The second principle is found in John 20, and shows us an example from the life of Christ. “He [John], stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths laying there; yet he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself.” John 20:5–7.

When Jesus arose on Sunday morning, He had a great deal to accomplish. All of His disciples were discouraged and depressed, and He needed to comfort them and show them that He was alive. He also had to go back to His Father in heaven to see that His sacrifice was accepted. Yet, the Creator and the Majesty of heaven took time before He walked out of that tomb to fold His grave clothes. Do you think that if you and I are Christians we should learn anything from that?

Notice what it says in the next verse. “Then the other disciple who came to the tomb went in also and he saw and believed.” John 20:8. When John looked into the tomb and saw the clothes neatly folded he knew Jesus had been there. How did he know? Because he had been with Him for three years and he knew how orderly Jesus was.

Order is a basic Christian principle in regard to dress. If I am striving to follow Christ, I will not throw my things about, and I will not leave them in a disheveled array. I will bring order even into the way I deal with my clothes, just as Jesus did.

As a parent, does that give me insights about how I should teach my children? Our children can learn about order, even when they are small. They may not be able to fold clothes as neatly as an adult, or clean their rooms as perfectly, but they can learn neatness and order in everything they do.

 

Modesty

 

After Adam and Eve sinned, they made themselves clothing by sewing together fig leaves. When God came down to talk with them He was not impressed with their fig-leaf garments. In fact, He would not accept them. “Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.” Genesis 3:21. Why did He need to clothe them? Were they not clothed before? They had on fig-leaf garments, but God said, “You are not clothed. I am going to make you some clothes that will really clothe you.” So, the Lord made clothing of sheepskins for them.

Today, when we use the word “naked,” we mean not having a stitch of clothing on. In the Bible, the word “naked” simply means that you are not adequately clothed. Let me illustrate. God gave Moses special instructions about the priests clothing. He said, “And you shall make for them [the priests] linen trousers to cover their nakedness; they shall reach from the waist to the thighs. They shall be on Aaron and on his sons when they come into the tabernacle of meeting, or when they come near the altar to minister in the Holy Place, that they do not incur iniquity and die. It shall be a statute forever to him and his descendants after him.” Exodus 28:42, 43.

Aaron and his sons were not “naked,” as we would use the word, they had robes on already. But the Lord said, “That is not enough.” He instructed them to wear clothes that completely covered their bodies. If they came before Him without being fully clothed, they would die.

Another illustration of this point is in John 21:7: “Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), [the Greek word used here says he was naked] and plunged into the sea.” Now, Peter had not taken off all of his clothes to go fishing that night, he had just taken off his outer garment. But he did not want to be in the presence of the Lord without his outer garment on. There are a lot of Christians today who come into the presence of the Lord, like Adam and Eve, with only fig-leaf garments on. The Lord says to them, “You are naked.”

Paul counseled women especially about modesty: “In like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with broided hair or gold pearls or costly clothing, but which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.” 1Timothy 2:9, 10.

In simple terms, what does modesty mean? It means that your body (torso) is covered. According to Bible standards, we must have our body covered so people cannot see it. Suppose I put on clothing that you can see through. Am I clothed? No. If I put on clothing that is so tight that you can study my anatomy, even though it has cloth over the top of it, am I clothed? No, I am the same as Adam and Eve with those fig leaves on.

If my clothing in any way allows people to have a peek at my body, it is not modest. If a dress allows you, in any position, to see a person’s body, it is immodest. That means that a dress should be below the knees, or in some body positions the body will be visible, and that is forbidden in Exodus 28.

Do you think I am being too specific? Friend, the Christian religion is very specific, because God wants the very best for us in all the details of life. That is why God’s counsel is so specific on the dress issue. I do not have to tell you that we are living in a very wicked age and time. Our daughters are especially in danger. I pray every time my daughter goes to Wichita. But we have something to do besides pray. Ellen White told us that a woman who was dressed in modest apparel would be protected from a thousand evils. Isn’t our God merciful to give us specific rules to save us from such heartache?

 

Men and Women Should Look Different

 

“A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman’s garment, for all who do so are an abomination to the Lord your God.” Deuteronomy 22:5. That is specific. Why were we given that instruction? Ellen White said that if there is confusion between the sexes, it results in a great increase in crime. We can certainly see that today.

In brief then, this principle says that when people see you they should be able to tell immediately if you are a man or a woman. The way you wear your clothes, the way you wear your hair, and your total appearance should leave them with no doubts.

 

Good Quality but Not Costly

 

Jesus had clothing that was of high quality and was durable. That is why the soldiers at His crucifixion cast lots for His garments. (See John 19:23.) But Jesus did not dress with the adornments of Babylon, and His children will not dress that way either. So many people today have cast aside God’s counsel on this issue, but there will be some who have their garments ready when Jesus comes, according to Revelation 16:15. “Behold, I am coming as a thief.

Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked [have a fig-leaf garment on] and they see his shame.”

Throughout the Bible, garments are a symbol of character. “Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.” Revelation 19:7, 8. If I am modest in character, I will wear modest clothing. If I am meek and humble, I will not dress to make a display. My clothing will be durable and neat, but plain and not gaudy.

The Bible tells us not to wear expensive clothing. If I love my neighbor as myself, I will not spend money for expensive clothing when there are other people who do not have enough. Part of the commendation that Jesus will give to His followers who are saved is recorded in Matthew 25. It says: “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me.” Matthew 25:34–36.

 

Do Not Dress For Display

 

Principle number six is one of the biggest problems in the area of dress. There will be people who lose their souls over the dress issue. How could people lose their soul over what they wear? Let us just see what the Bible says about this issue. This principle is the underlying problem with these people. ” ‘For behold, the day is coming, Burning like an oven, and all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up,’ says the Lord of Hosts, That will leave them neither root nor branch.” Malachi 4:1.

One of the ways that pride manifests itself is in how we dress. Do we dress to show how good we can look? That is pride and the Lord has a solution for people with that problem. “Moreover the Lord says: ‘Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, And walk with outstretched necks And wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, Making a jingling with their feet. Therefore the Lord will strike with a scab The crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the Lord will uncover their secret parts.’ In that day the Lord will take away the finery: The jingling anklets, the scarves, and the crescents; The pendants, the bracelets, the veils; The headdresses, the leg ornaments, and the headbands, The perfume boxes, the charms, and the rings; The nose jewels, the festal apparel, the mantles; The outer garments, the purses, and the mirrors; The fine linen, the turbans, and the robes. And so it shall be: Instead of a sweet smell there will be a stench; Instead of a sash, a rope; Instead of well-set hair, baldness; Instead of a rich robe, a girding of sackcloth; And branding instead of beauty. Your men shall fall by the sword, And your mighty in the war. Her gates shall lament and mourn, And she being desolate, shall sit on the ground.” Isaiah 3:16–26.

Gaudy dress, make-up, and adornment have always been associated with idolaters: “And when Jehu had come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she put paint on her eyes and adorned her head, and looked though a window.” 2 Kings 9:30. “The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication.” Revelation 17:4.

The dress issue, according to Isaiah 3, is going to take many people to hell. We need to ask ourselves when we go shopping, “Am I buying these clothes to glorify the name of the Lord Jesus? Will what I buy correctly represent Him by being durable, well fitting and becoming? Or do I just want to display how handsome (or beautiful) I am?” If we are dressing for display, we should ask the Lord to take the pride out of our hearts and fit us for heaven.

My friend, we are in the closing days of earth’s history. God wants to prepare us to live eternally with Him. He counsels us, “buy of Me . . . white raiment that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear.” Revelation 3:18. Do you want to have the fine linen on when Jesus comes? He wants to put that garment on you so that you will be able to appear in His presence and not be ashamed because you do not have enough clothes on. Will you accept His gift and comply with the conditions?

 

Health – Pain, Agony and Death for Moments of Beauty?

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How many people have damaged their bodies and their health so others would consider them to have beauty in one way or another? Many women have dyed, plucked or shaved the hair of their head, squeezed their feet into uncomfortable high heels or even surgically enhanced parts of their anatomy for moments of beauty.

The temporary fashion of five-inch pumps has returned and many women are not considering the long-term health risks, as long as it makes the wearer beautiful in the eye of the beholder. Wearing high heels can strain the knees, push the hips and spine out of alignment, shorten calf muscles, lead to joint pain and hammertoes, etc. But, in the name of beauty, many choose to endanger health for a moment’s gratification because somebody is looking. Would you still wear them if you knew the harm they may cause to the body temple that God has given to you?

Until the early 20th century, millions of Chinese women bound their feet to prevent them from growing longer than three and one-half inches. Many of these women paid the ultimate price for what was considered beauty and their feet were disfigured to guarantee their own future for an upper class marriage, etc., but the price was high and they suffered terribly with many unable to walk without agonizing pain.

The ancient practice of foot binding began in the Sung dynasty (960-976 B.C.), reportedly to imitate an imperial concubine who was required to dance with her feet bound. By the 12th century, the practice was widespread and more severe—girls’ feet were bound so tightly and early in life that they were unable to dance and had difficulty walking.

Young bones are soft and break easily and by the time a girl had turned three years old, all of her toes except the first were broken, and her feet were bound tightly with cloth strips to keep her feet from growing larger than about 3.9 inches. The practice caused the soles of the feet to bend in extreme concavity.

Many women today are not only disfiguring their feet, but also their whole bodies, inside and out, and are suffering terribly as a result of their desire to be noticed and considered beautiful.

We are fearfully and wonderfully made, unique and precious in God’s eyes. Oh, if only we could be contented and happy the way God has made each one of us, there would not be so much pain just to be noticed.

Dr. John H. Kellogg said, “We should not wear our clothing so tight as to press hard upon any part of the body. It will cause the muscles of that part of the body to become weak.

“If the clothing is worn tight about the waist, the lungs cannot expand properly, the stomach and liver are pressed out of shape and the internal organs are crowded out of their proper places.

“People are often made crippled from wearing tight shoes. Their muscles cannot act properly and their feet grow out of shape.

“In China, it was fashionable for rich ladies to have small feet, they tied them up in cloths so that they could not grow. The foot was squeezed out of shape. A woman who had such feet found it so difficult to walk that she had to be carried about much of the time. Do you not think it is very wrong and foolish to treat the feet so badly?” First Book in Physiology and Hygiene, 110, 111.

We have been warned about the dangers to our bodies when wearing clothing too tightly.

Women need to watch those undergarments. When you remove any of your undergarments and the skin around the area is itching, that is a good sign that they are too tight and that makes you a good candidate for breast cancer, etc. Many women are being stricken with breast cancer and other female problems because of the binding. That binding causes lack of blood circulation and affects the lymphatic system.

Some lymphatic diseases range from mild congestion to malignant lymphoma. The most common disorder is lymphatic insufficiency, or lymph edema, which is a swelling that occurs when damaged lymph vessels can’t drain fluid. The lymphatic system is important because it picks up fluid that is lost from the circulatory system and returns it. It is the first line of defense against disease and infection. Wearing tight clothing blocks this most important system of the body and can cause disease in many women.

“Woman’s dress should be arranged so loosely upon the person, about the waist, that she can breathe without the least obstruction. Her arms should be left perfectly free, that she may raise them above her head with ease. … The compression of the waist by tight lacing prevents the waste matter from being thrown off through its natural channels. The most important of these is the lungs. … If the lungs are cramped, they cannot develop; but their capacity will be diminished, making it impossible to take a sufficient inspiration of air. … The compression of the waist weakens the muscles of the respiratory organs. It hinders the process of digestion. The heart, liver, lungs, spleen, and stomach are crowded into a small compass, not allowing room for the healthful action of these organs.” Healthful Living, 122.

Some men seem to think that this does not apply to them and they can wear tight clothing with no injury. That thinking is all wrong, especially when you read the following: “Our Creator made no mistake in fashioning the human body. He gave appropriate space for the free action of every organ, and formed us in such a way that every muscle could come into play without trespassing upon the function of any other muscle.” Ibid.

Men and women have bodies that are fearfully and wonderfully made and need proper care to continue in good health. The health risks are growing for men and women who wear their clothing too tight. Many times clothing is bought too tight and people squeeze into them regardless of the pain it causes while wearing them. Men and women love to follow the fashion world rather than preserve health.

There have been some medical studies done on tight fitting clothing and its effects on women’s health. It was found that the body can develop a nerve condition called paresthesia, which is similar to carpal tunnel syndrome. This condition causes a burning sensation under the hip bone and can cause numbness and tingling in the legs.

Just as the Chinese women went through much suffering to be accepted, many people are following in their ways, only through other health damaging practices.

Apart from not looking good or healthful, too tight clothing puts the person who wears them at the risk of damaging his/her health. Some of the health problems resulting from wearing clothes that are too tight are:

Tingling Thigh Syndrome: Individuals who wear their jeans too tight can experience nerve problems called meralgia paresthetica in which the thigh tingles with no explanation.

Back Pain: When pants are too tight, and are low riding, it can cause nerve compression in the back (similar to the thigh problem above) and numbness and tingling in the legs and possible stress on the back.

Acid Reflux/Heartburn: Tight pressure against the stomach can increase abdominal pressure, causing acid to go back into the esophagus, resulting in heartburn and acid reflux. A burning sensation in the stomach, chest and throat and a bitter, acidic taste in the mouth may be experienced.

Abdominal Pain/Constipation: The digestive process can be slowed down by being bound tightly around the waist.

“The compression of the waist hinders the process of digestion. The heart, liver, lungs, spleen, and stomach are crowded into a small compass, not allowing room for the healthful action of these organs.” Healthful Living, 168.

“The compression of the waist by tight lacing prevents the waste matter from being thrown off through its natural channels. The most important of these is the lungs. In order for the lungs to do the work designed, they must be left free, without the slightest compression. If the lungs are cramped, they cannot develop; but their capacity will be diminished, making it impossible to take a sufficient inspiration of air. The abdominal muscles were designed to aid the lungs in their action. Where there is no compression of the lungs, the motion in full breathing will be observed to be mostly of the abdomen. … When tight lacing is practiced, the lower part of the chest has not sufficient room for action. The breathing, therefore, is confined to the upper portion of the lungs, where there is not sufficient room to carry on the work. But the lower part of the lungs should have the greatest freedom possible. The compression of the waist will not allow free action of the muscles of the respiratory organs.” Ibid, 171.

Headaches/Blurred Vision: Wearing button down shirts that are too tight in the collar or ties that are tied too tightly can decrease proper circulation to the brain and head.

Observe yourself as you dress. Take note if you are binding yourself so tight that it may cause itching now, but may turn into major health issues later on.

It would be advisable to prevent the pain and suffering and wear clothing that is well-fitting and comfortable, considering the internal organs that need space to work efficiently. Dressing properly provides protection and development of every part of the body.

“Many have become lifelong invalids through their compliance with the demands of fashion. Displacements and deformities, cancers and other terrible diseases, are among the evils resulting from fashionable dress.” Ibid., 123.

Our wise creator God has given much instruction on how to take care of this most wonderful piece of machinery—the human body. It would be well for each of us to heed that advice and live in good health. Is it really worth causing damage to your body just for a passing glance of approbation from another human being?

Bible Study Guides – The Ribbon of Blue

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March 17, 2013 – March 23, 2013

Key Text

“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness.” Isaiah 61:10.

Study Help: Counsels on Health, 91–93; Selected Messages, Book 2, 465–472; Testimonies, vol. 4, 628–648.

Introduction

“The amount of physical suffering created by unnatural and unhealthful dress cannot be estimated. Many have become lifelong invalids through their compliance with the demands of fashion. Displacements and deformities, cancers and other terrible diseases, are among the evils resulting from fashionable dress.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 634, 635.

“It was the adversary of all good who instigated the invention of the ever-changing fashions. He desires nothing so much as to bring grief and dishonor to God by working the misery and ruin of human beings. One of the means by which he most effectually accomplishes this is the devices of fashion that weaken the body, as well as enfeeble the mind and belittle the soul.” Counsels on Health, 91.

“ ‘We are,’ said the inspired apostle, ‘made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men’ (I Corinthians 4:9). All heaven is marking the daily influence which the professed followers of Christ exert upon the world. My sisters, your dress is telling either in favor of Christ and the sacred truth or in favor of the world. Which is it? Remember we must all answer to God for the influence we exert.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 641.

“The dress and its arrangement upon the person is generally found to be the index of the man or the woman.

“We judge of a person’s character by the style of dress worn. A modest, godly woman will dress modestly. A refined taste, a cultivated mind, will be revealed in the choice of a simple, appropriate attire.” Child Guidance, 413.

1 AN INDEX TO THE MIND

  • In ancient Israel, what did God prescribe so that they would be identified as His chosen people? Numbers 15:38–41.

Note: “The children of Israel, after they were brought out of Egypt, were commanded to have a simple ribbon of blue in the border of their garments, to distinguish them from the nations around them, and to signify that they were God’s peculiar people. The people of God are not now required to have a special mark placed upon their garments. But in the New Testament we are often referred to ancient Israel for examples. If God gave such definite directions to His ancient people in regard to their dress, will not the dress of His people in this age come under His notice? Should there not be in their dress a distinction from that of the world? Should not the people of God, who are His peculiar treasure, seek even in their dress to glorify God? And should they not be examples in point of dress, and by their simple style rebuke the pride, vanity, and extravagance of worldly, pleasure–loving professors? God requires this of His people. Pride is rebuked in His Word.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 1, 1114.

  • How do the following scriptures show that appearance demonstrates our allegiance to someone? I Timothy 2:9, 10; Revelation 17:4; Zephaniah 1:8; Matthew 22:11.

Note: “The outside appearance is frequently an index to the mind, and we should be careful what signs we hang out for the world to judge of our faith.” Messages to Young People, 346, 347.

“A plain, direct testimony is now needed, as given in the Word of God, in regard to the plainness of dress. This should be our burden.” Selected Messages, Book 3, 253.

  • What kind of raiment does Christ offer us and why? Revelation 3:18. What do many professed Christians say through their attitude? Isaiah 4:1.

2 DRESSING FOR HEALTH

  • Does our dress have anything to do with our health?

Note: “Another serious evil is the wearing of skirts so that their weight must be sustained by the hips. This heavy weight, pressing upon the internal organs, drags them downward and causes weakness of the stomach and a feeling of lassitude, inclining the wearer to stoop, which further cramps the lungs, making correct breathing more difficult. …

“It is essential to health that the chest have room to expand to its fullest extent in order that the lungs may be enabled to take full inspiration. When the lungs are restricted, the quantity of oxygen received into them is lessened. The blood is not properly vitalized, and the waste, poisonous matter which should be thrown off through the lungs, is retained.” Counsels on Health, 91, 92.

  • What is rarely practiced by women and men? I Timothy 2:9, 10.

Note: “Perfect health depends upon perfect circulation. Special attention should be given to the extremities, that they may be as thoroughly clothed as the chest and region over the heart.” My Life Today, 145.

“Satan invented the fashions which leave the limbs exposed, chilling back the life current from its original course.” Testimonies, vol. 2, 532.

  • What other counsels are necessary to guard the well-being of children and adults?

Note: “Another great cause of mortality among infants and youth, is the custom of leaving their arms and shoulders naked. This fashion cannot be too severely censured. It has cost the lives of thousands. The air, bathing the arms and limbs and circulating about the armpits, chills these sensitive portions of the body so near the vitals, hinders the healthy circulation of the blood, and induces disease, especially of the lungs and brain.” Healthful Living, 148.

3 PLAIN DISTINCTIONS

  • Besides our physical well-being, what else does our clothing directly affect? Matthew 5:27, 28.

Note: “This [seventh] commandment forbids not only acts of impurity, but sensual thoughts and desires, or any practice that tends to excite them.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 308.

“When once the barriers of female modesty are removed, the basest licentiousness does not appear exceeding sinful. Alas, what terrible results of woman’s influence for evil may be witnessed in the world today!” The Adventist Home, 58, 59.

  • If we dress in a way contrary to what God has said, how does He look at our offense? Deuteronomy 22:5.

Note: “There is an increasing tendency to have women in their dress and appearance as near like the other sex as possible and to fashion their dress very much like that of men, but God pronounces it abomination. …

“God designed that there should be a plain distinction between the dress of men and women, and has considered the matter of sufficient importance to give explicit directions in regard to it; for the same dress worn by both sexes would cause confusion and great increase of crime.” Child Guidance, 427.

  • What prophecy warns us of the spiritual consequences of fostering glamour and bodily display? Isaiah 3:16–24.

Note: “The prophecy of Isaiah 3 was presented before me as applying to these last days, and the reproofs are given to the daughters of Zion who have thought only of appearance and display. Read verse 25: ‘Thy men shall fall by the sword, and thy mighty in the war.’ I was shown that this scripture will be strictly fulfilled.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 270.

  • What is the remedy for this condition? Ezekiel 36:26, 27.

Note: “Cleanse the fountain, and the streams will be pure. If the heart is right, your words, your dress, your acts, will all be right.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 158.

4 WARNING AND APPEALS

  • What aspect of apparel which has a significant effect upon our physical well-being is often overlooked? Luke 15:22. What kind of weather demands special care? Psalm 147:16, 17.

Note: “The feet should be protected from cold and dampness by warm stockings, and by easy-fitting, thick-soled shoes.” Life and Health, May 1, 1905.

“Our limbs and feet are suitably protected from cold and damp, to secure the circulation of the blood to them, with all its blessings. We can take exercise in the open air, in the dews of morning or evening, or after the falling storm of snow or rain, without fears of taking cold. Morning exercise, in walking in the free, invigorating air of heaven, or cultivating flowers, small fruits, and vegetables, is necessary to a healthful circulation of the blood. It is the surest safeguard against colds, coughs, congestions of the brain and lungs, inflammation of the liver, the kidneys, and the lungs, and a hundred other diseases.” The Health Reformer, May 1, 1872.

  • What are some of the heathen ways that are very hateful to the Lord? Exodus 32:25; II Kings 9:30; I John 2:15. What lesson should we learn from the angels standing before God? Isaiah 6:2, 3.

Note: “Fashion is deteriorating the intellect and eating out the spirituality of our people. Obedience to fashion is pervading our Seventh-day Adventist churches and is doing more than any other power to separate our people from God. I have been shown that our church rules are very deficient. All exhibitions of pride in dress, which is forbidden in the word of God, should be sufficient reason for church discipline. If there is a continuance, in face of warnings and appeals and entreaties, to still follow the perverse will, it may be regarded as proof that the heart is in no way assimilated to Christ. Self, and only self, is the object of adoration, and one such professed Christian will lead many away from God.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 647, 648.

  • Historically designed for the business of harlotry, high-heeled shoes create an exaggerated curvature of the spine, in turn bringing attention to certain parts of the body. Whose eyes do they attract, tempt, and provoke? II Peter 2:12–14.

5 LIVING PREACHERS

  • What should we do while testing an item of clothing to see whether it is according to God’s Word? Psalm 139:23, 24.

Note: “Our words, our actions, and our dress are daily, living preachers, gathering with Christ or scattering abroad. This is no trivial matter to be passed off with a jest. The subject of dress demands serious reflection and much prayer. Many unbelievers have felt that they were not doing right in permitting themselves to be slaves of fashion; but when they see some who make a high profession of godliness dressing as worldlings dress, enjoying frivolous society, they decide that there can be no wrong in such a course.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 641.

  • What should we do if we are not sure about specific articles? James 1:5; Philippians 3:15, 16.
  • What should we remember about the character of our God? Exodus 20:5; Malachi 3:6.
  • If we would really clothe ourselves in Christ’s righteousness, what would be noticed by others? Acts 4:13.

Note: “Our clothing should be plain and simple, so that when we visit the poor, they will not be embarrassed by the contrast between our appearance and their own.” Gospel Workers, 189.

“I saw that the words, the dress, and actions should tell for God. Then a holy influence will be shed upon all, and all will take knowledge of them that they have been with Jesus. Unbelievers will see that the truth we profess has a holy influence, and that faith in Christ’s coming affects the character of the man or woman. If any wish to have their influence tell in favor of the truth, let them live it out, and thus imitate the humble Pattern.” Messages to Young People, 128.

PERSONAL REVIEW

1 Of whom are my garments speaking? Is my appearance modest, pointing to Jesus or exalting self?

2 Am I dressing healthfully? Am I warm, covered, comfortable?

3 Am I wearing anything which could cause someone to stumble?

4 What about my footwear, hairstyles, face? Am I in line with God’s ways?

5 Am I willing to ask Christ to go into my closet and show me anything that is not reflecting His righteous character?

Be in Health

“In all respects the dress should be healthful. ‘Above all things,’ God desires us to ‘be in health’ (III John 1:2)—health of body and of soul. And we are to be workers together with Him for the health of both soul and body. Both are promoted by healthful dress.” Child Guidance, 398.

Perfect Circulation

“It is impossible to have health when the extremities are habitually cold; for if there is too little blood in them there will be too much in other portions of the body. Perfect health requires a perfect circulation; but this cannot be had while three or four times as much clothing is worn upon the body, where the vital organs are situated, as upon the feet and limbs.” Ibid.