Is there a set standard that we as Christians are to live by in our every day life, that dictates what we can and cannot wear, where we can and cannot go, what we should and should not listen to? Are we to worry about the inside only or is the outside equally important?

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Luke

Christ sets the standard. For only He knows what it is that He would have us to be. As each of us are different, and are being used in different ways, only He can determine what is appropriate for each of our individual circumstances. If we listen to others, rather than Him, we will be led astray.

As I have grown and continue to grow in the Lord, I realize that what began on the inside has found its way out. The more we draw nigh to God, the less we desire to resemble the world. I found myself beginning to resent following fads and trying to look "fashionable" for the fashion of this world passes away.

Like Sermonindex, I came from a clothing background that many found offensive, in fact one of my natural sisters refused to speak to me for 2 years because my apparel was so revealing. Sadly, this was in my backslidden state but I can tell you I was greatly ashamed that I'd sunk that low.

I desire so much to please God and He faithfully gives us the guidelines through His Word and prayer. Modesty is the key for all. Also, I take it seriously that I represent a King. I could not bear the thought that I caused someone to stumble by my clothing choices. I believe with all my heart that the more we desire to please the Lord, the more we put others before ourselves. This said, I am just a pretty much average looking woman that could easily disappear in a crowd. I have lost the desire of trying to make a statement about myself and that's quite a change for an artist!

Just by dressing without people knowing what catalogues we browse through, we can sense also at how ordinary and unimpressive Jesus was at take that as an example.

I hope this is somewhat helpful. When I came to Jesus, all things really did become new albeit some changes took more time than others.

God Bless.

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Kathleen

My point is this, just as "it is false to have a outward holiness and no inward reality" it is also false to say that there is an inward reality but no outward holiness, or witness. There an be no true inward work (change) without it effecting an outward difference. We are to be lights to the world(Matt.5:16) and while it is true that God looks on the heart, it is also true that man cannot see your heart but the can see how you live and conduct yourself.

One of the reasons that preachers were given to the church was for the perfecting of the saints(Eph.4:12) and also to teach the difference between the holy and the profane (Ezk.22:26;44:23). Yes we follow the leading of the Holy Ghost and not be governed simply by the dictates of man. There are numerous places in the BIBLE where it gives explicit instructions on what we should and should not wear, the places we shouldn't go to, and ways we should not entertain ourselves.

The same standard of practical holiness is the same for everyone the BIBLE points this out in that it states that God is no respecter of persons
(1 Peter 1:17).

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Luke

I know what you're saying holiness1214. I have witnessed those that have all the appearance of godliness but are very cold and almost condescending in manner to others that don't match their standards. Also there are many that are way to the other extreme and tell you not to judge and that God sees their hearts.

God has sent His ministers but many do not provide the clear guidelines by which the sheep can be instructed. Perhaps many are fearful of telling them the truth? I also noted in the modest swimwear discussion that I was shocked by some of the church scenarios mentioned.

I know that I will be held accountable as a woman of God by what manner I present myself and as you stated, the Word and the Holy Spirit are His eternal guides.

God has set a plumbline and it isn't always a pleasant one to adhere to. Our flesh does war against what is spiritual.

This is a good post.

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Kathleen

Should preachers make it a practice to preach on this plumb line that God has set up for the standard or should they leave that alone.
Also to what extent does the outside reveal what is on the inside if any at all.

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Luke

The Holy Spirit will convict us if we are His. We don't need to push our convictions off on others. We catch the fish and let God clean them.

First of all while I agree we should not push OUR convictions off on others I do believe that it is the responsibility of he preachers to preach and call sin what it really, is SIN, weather it be an inward problem or if it be an outward problem. If this is not so then why does he BIBLE say
preachers are to teach the difference between the holy and the profane (Ezk.22:26;44:23)and one of the reasons that preachers were given to the church was for the perfecting of the saints(Eph.4:12). If the BIBLE says that it is a sin then we as preachers must preach (stand) against it.

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Luke

"It is bit what enters into the mouth that defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man" Matt 15:11

"But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man." Matt 15:18

Eventually, our outward holiness will be brought to the light if it is truly in vain, God will bring it to the light. As He did with the Pharisee's in this chapter, they had an outward righteous and holiness, following there traditions; but God new there heart, and brought in the truth. For this people honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

I agree with preachers needed to preach sin, shining the light on sins. However, we as believers have a greater responsibility to humble ourselves before the Lord with regard to sin, whether we hear from the pulpit or not. We must open ourselves up to the truths and honestly examine ourselves.

As I was reading through some scripture and then a commentary, God chastened me with truth. I first was angry at God, because I thought I was doing the right thing...traditions of men...but as I honestly looked at what God shown me, I humbled myself before Him and confessed that sin. There was no preacher, there was no one but the Lord himself. But we are under no excuse if we have no one to tell us the truth of our sins...but ourselves.

:-)