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Outward
Adornment
"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, which is in the sight of God of great
price. For after this manner in the old time the holy
women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being
in subjection unto their own husbands." I Peter
3:3-5.
"I will therefore that men pray everywhere lifting up
holy hands, without wrath and doubting. In like manner
also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with
shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or
gold, or pearls, or costly array, but (which becometh
women professing godliness) with good works." I Tim.
2:8-10.
These two texts show us the standard of Bible humility in
outward adornment. They are the teaching of two different
apostles, written at different times and places, and both
express the same truth upon the subject. We all believe
they were inspired by the Holy Spirit, and therefore
should all accept what they have stated. The uniform
teaching and spirit of the entire New Testament agrees
therewith, and there should be a cheerful response in the
heart of every professing child of God to the same.
We claim to take the whole New Testament for our rule of
faith and practice, and unless our walk corresponds with
and measures up to this standard, we are guilty of a gross
inconsistency, and weaken the power and testimony of the
Word of God to the world. The fruit of true humility must
be borne out to the world. The hidden man of the heart
will show out every characteristic of His nature—if it
is the old man with his corrupted and depraved nature, or
if it is the new man which after God is created in
righteousness and true holiness. Seeing that we have put
off the old man with his deeds, let us also see that all
the furnishings and adornments that belong to him are put
off, not only in our conversation and deeds but in our
every appearance. A meek and quiet spirit in the heart, if
unhindered, will permeate to the exterior, and will
harmonize the outside with the nature of the inside.
In my native state the white oak tree grows very
abundantly. In the fall of the year nearly all the trees
shed their leaves, but the white oak holds tenaciously to
its dead foliage all winter; even the beating storms of
snow and sleet accomplish but little in stripping it. All
the frozen elements and storms seem to cause it to cling
tighter to the outward adornment of its old life. When the
cruel blasts of winter are driven back by the April sun,
we begin to notice a letting go of the tight grasp of the
tree and a gentle rain or a soft wind will bring down
showers of leaves to the ground.
What is the matter with the tree? Ah, the new life on the
inside is working its way up into the branches; the new
buds are swelling and beginning to unfold. All that
pertains to the old life must be put off. So it is with
the blessed life of the Spirit of God. It will work out
and crowd off everything that has ever been cherished by
the old nature.
Many a child of God has been led astray by false teaching
in this respect. Hireling preachers say that it matters
not about the outside, just so the inside is all right.
This false adage has been worn threadbare by professing
Christians who seek to justify themselves in their pride.
Many young converts have become perplexed, not knowing
sufficiently well the voice of God, and the gentle
leadings of the Holy Spirit, who would in every instance
lead unerringly up to the Bible standard of outward
adornment, but for the evil influences of worldly
professors, who treat lightly the sacred Word of God and
put false constructions upon those Scriptures, which if
properly accepted would bring such professors under
condemnation. Yes, dear reader, it does matter what is on
the outside, because the Word of God says so, which the
texts of Scripture quoted clearly show. The outside and
inside must and do correspond. Jesus said to the
Pharisees, "Cleanse first that which is within the
cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean
also."
It is unquestionably true that real humility and modest
apparel belong together, and no bodily ornamentation is
desired, much less needed, where Christ is enthroned in
the heart. The ornaments desired are: good works, inspired
by the hidden man of the heart with a modest, unassuming
outward appearance.
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