Dressing the Temple

A temple is gleaming with gold and polished marble, beautiful, detailed. When we think about Solomon’s Temple in the Old Testament, we smell the cedar, admire the columns, are dazzled by brass, gold, and intricate designs. The Temple was a large-scaled replica of the Tabernacle, but permanent, finer, grander. It was gorgeous!

The priests wore special clothing when they did their jobs. They went in and out, performing their duties exactly as prescribed, since every offering and every action symbolized the Messiah to come.

Jesus Christ has come! He sprinkled the mercy seat with His blood and made payment for our sins. And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2). Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us (Hebrews 9:12).

So, the born again believer in Jesus actually becomes the temple of the Holy Spirit. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16)

Now, instead of dressing up and walking into the temple to worship, the Holy Spirit abides inside us! Our body has become a home for the Holy Spirit. Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (1 Corinthians 6:19)

So, how do we dress the temple?

A key to the answer is found in Romans 12:1-2, which says, 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. This principle applies to all areas of life, including dress. We present our body—the temple of the Holy Spirit—to God. We’re not conformed to this world but transformed by a new mentality (from knowing God’s Word, the Bible) so that we can clearly understand God’s will.

Keeping in mind that a Christian’s body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, how then should we dress?

• A temple is holy. The LORD is in his holy temple (Psalm 11:4a). But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation (Conversation means “way of life.” 1 Peter 1:15).
• A temple is beautiful. And he (Solomon) garnished the house (the temple) with precious stones for beauty: and the gold was gold of Parvaim (2 Chronicles 3:6). God told Job to honor Him by clothing himself beautifully. Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty (Job 40:10).
• A temple shows glory and honor. Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place (1 Chronicles 16:27). Of the Virtuous Woman, it’s said: Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come (Proverbs 31:25).
• A temple reflects the One it honors. We don’t dress to make an impression. We don’t try to call attention to ourselves. We want to be a showcase for Christ in us. That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ (Ephesians 1:12). For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s (1 Corinthians 6:20).

How do we dress our temple?

With thought and care. Shop with the aim of glorifying God. Look for modest, appropriate clothing. Look for pretty clothes, which will help you look nice and be a positive Christian testimony. Pray and ask the Lord to help you to find clothes that please Him. Look for clothes that fit and hang well. Look for the loveliest, quality clothing you can afford.

You want to show outside that you have the Lord inside. You want people to know you’re different from worldly women, but you don’t want to look like you’re from Mars. Within the culture, you want to look modest and moderate. You want to have a wholesome look, a good testimony.

More than anything, you want the Lord’s approval. Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do (even dressing!), do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Walk over to your full-length mirror and turn around slowly. Ask yourself:

• Does my outfit look modest?
• Do my clothes direct attention to my smiling face?
• Does anything need tweaking? (Maybe something is too tight, too short, or too low. Change the piece that doesn’t look like what a godly woman would wear.)
• Do I look nice?
• Do my clothes reflect God’s beauty?
• Can I confidently leave the house, knowing that I am dressed in a way that glorifies my Lord?

For ye are the temple of the living God;

as God hath said, I will dwell in them,

and walk in them; and I will be their God,

and they shall be my people.

(2 Corinthians 6:16b)

(For more posts about the topic of modesty, feel free to look at the tab for Fashion/Modesty at the top of this page. You can also follow my modesty board on Pinterest, which includes other bloggers' thoughts.)