1Ti 2:9
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;
I love the Strong's concordance explanation of the word shamefacedness in this scripture. I think it sums up perfectly why I don't wear makeup. 1) a sense of shame or honour, modesty, bashfulness, reverence, regard for others, respect.
I particularly love the part about regarding and respecting others. I don't wear makeup because I have regard and respect for others. I don't want to draw attention to myself. I don't want to gain the attention of a man who is not mine. I don't want to say "Hey look at me, I'm dressing up this decaying flesh", the very thing God has instructed us to deny. This root word aidōs for shamefacedness actually means reverence (Godly fear) in another scripture.
We should always remember that our standards don't make us holy....they help to make others holy. We lay down our lives and our selves even in this area of facial boldness...so that others may*live*. We don't want to tempt others. To draw attention with red lips and purple eyelids.
The Bible tells us clearly to be modest and shamefaced which literally means with downcast eyes. Makeup says look at me. Look at my eyes. Makeup makes the features bold and sensualizes. When you are writing a post or sending an email and you want to really make a point you make the important words BOLD. Now if you really want to make your point you make it bold and red.Cosmetics do the same thing. Meek and quiet spirits generally dont wear red lipstick.
You know one of the beautiful things about regarding others is that when we do, we in turn are respected. I think a woman who chooses to carefully consider others even in this area of makeup are often in turn more respected than a woman who has no regard for others.
The Bible tells us clearly to be modest and shamefaced which literally means with downcast eyes. Makeup says look at me. Look at my eyes. Makeup makes the features bold and sensualizes. When you are writing a post or sending an email and you want to really make a point you make the important words BOLD. Now if you really want to make your point you make it bold and red.Cosmetics do the same thing. Meek and quiet spirits generally dont wear red lipstick.
You know one of the beautiful things about regarding others is that when we do, we in turn are respected. I think a woman who chooses to carefully consider others even in this area of makeup are often in turn more respected than a woman who has no regard for others.
Make-up goes beyond eye-liner and mascara, which this post seems to "accentuate" (pun intended). This is an exceptionally good explanation for why you choose not to wear make-up, however, it's unfortunate others have made this not a matter of "choice", but a matter of salvation.
ReplyDeleteContrasting the very behavior he was condemning in this verse, Paul continues on: "... not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array." The opposite of shamefacedness and modesty are these.
Modesty is the Code of Conduct for us make-up wearers, and is the advice of make-up artists when deciding how to apply. It's removing blemishes and accentuating, just as teeth-whitener is with braces -- or hair mouse is with dead hair.
Thank you for the comment Anonymous, I appreciate your perspective.
ReplyDeleteI'll put in my two cents, because I feel very strongly about this as well. Its not make-up being a matter of salvation, its a matter of taking things out of the Bible; picking and choosing. Its also a matter of looking like a child of God. God has called us out of the world, and we need to look like His children. The Bible says we are a royal priesthood, an holy nation. It also says we are a light on a hill. We are to be set apart. Makeup is altering your appearance, the body GOD gave you. Its enhancing your flesh. What is the purpose of makeup? It is fake and false.
ReplyDeleteAnyways, thats my comment.
God bless
My Dear Sister,
ReplyDeleteWhat does the Text say? Picking and choosing is exactly what some do, but probably not in the manner you are thinking. Who has told us in the Text what a child of God looks like. If I read Paul's letters correctly, it was the immaterial (not the material) that the believer is clothed with. We are obsessed with the outward, not Christ. Does the Text, calling for us to be set apart, really talking about make-up? Do you truly believe that?
We are set apart by our doctrines, by our love for Christ, His passion and through the witness of His Spirit. That's the only indelible marking of "the called."
Your argument that make-up is somehow fake, therefore it is false, and therefore it is objectionable for a child of God is dangerously flawed logic. You probably hairspray your hair, bleach your teeth, tan your body and curl your eye lashes. Or how about wear braces? To claim make-up for everyone is a matter of insecurity, and a desire to hide their true-self, is a broad generalization.
And you may not say it's a matter of salvation, but you and I both know it's implied, and in many cases it's stated loud and clear.
Onward For Jesus,
Who has told us in the Text what a child of God looks like?
ReplyDeleteHe hath no form nor comliness and when we see Him there is no beauty that we should desire Him.A man of sorrows....He hid His face....
A beautiful, messianic prophecy about the coming Christ. If this was stated as a response to the questions posed, I'd call that a good example of a non sequitur.
ReplyDeleteI dont mind people commenting anonymously (as long as we are kind;-)but would you all mind making up a *screen name* that at least indicates gender...ya know like *Bob* or *Sue*.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate all the comments and today posted about legalism, perhaps *anonymous* would like to comment there as it was somewhat a response to your comments here.
For Him...
My reason for not wearing make-up actually counters all the reasons I had for wearing it when I wasn't living for God. For me, it used to be about art and creativity. But now that I know God, I realize there's no out-doing Him and I humbly submit to Him. How do you beautify a sunset over the mountains? Or an aurora of light? I see my body as one of these aspects of our natural world today, perfect just the way God made it and reflecting His wonderful glory, thus impossible for me to improve upon.
ReplyDeleteMy point is, this is all very personal to my character and my experience with God's grace. In fact, we're all different, and according to the revelation God gives us, we respond differently.