Self Deception of Selfies

 

Above content is "shared" from social media

My heart once again is burdened by this very thing you see in the meme.

I have some FB friends that share such good Truth that people need to hear, but then they bring shame and confusion to the name of Christ by posting pictures of themselves that resemble a model posing to encite lust in men. 

They will either put a Scripture as the caption to their picture or they will simply say something like "Out walking the dog",  sounds nice and "innocent", but their so called innocent picture sells their body to everyone that passes by as their buttocks, breasts and bare thighs are emphasized and strangely the position of their hand draws attention to their crotch just like sensual models purposely pose.

They maybe decieved themselves, I have heard some say things like, 

 I meant no harm by it,  I don't see anything wrong with the picture,  I didn't do anything wrong. 

"Such is the way of an adulterous woman; She eateth, and wipeth her mouth, And saith, I have done no wickedness."

Proverbs 30:20

There's a problem here my sisters,  if you are a sister in deed? If you don't see a Problem with posting pictures of yourself in tight clothing or a lack of clothing that shows skin to every passer-by that shouldn't have knowledge of it then you have yet to realize that you are in a fallen world and are still being used of the devil. 

Ladies today are writing articles to justify you by calling loving others by avoiding certain clothes as being legalistic.  They are trying to convince you that you have liberty in Jesus to wear the clothes you want to wear and even be called by His name.  

"And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach."

Isaiah 4:1 

You don't have to take my word for it. 

But before you pose for the camera and post it honestly ask God if it's His will, and if that picture will please Him and bring glory to His name. God made all things beautiful even you.  But true beauty is in the heart of a woman that knows what God expects from women that are called by His name, and what it truly looks like to reflect His image to this world. 

You got me scratching my head if you think His image is comparable to what Vogue magazine posts and that He will justify your action. You also have me questioning your true character and intentions and sadly you have me hesitant to share your edifying Scriptural posts. Putting out pictures that misrepresent Christian are a spot on your garment. Moreover,  you have me in mourning for the deep grief of women that are either in bonds and still blind, or that are so wicked to use the Word of God to draw people after their sinful ways shaming Christ.

"that thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:"

1 Timothy 6:14 

There is a way to behave that God will truly have your back/ justify you, and there is a way to behave that shows you love darkness more than light and condemn yourself. 

Men need to take responsibly for their lust issues,  but you don't need to make it a challenge for them.  Brothers in the faith should be able to feel safe from temptation in the presence of a Sister; because she knows how to behave uprightly, with shamefacedness and modest apparel,  her heart is not selfishly seeking her brothers admiration through her bodies beauty. 

I am sure you have seen this quoted often,  if it makes you roll your eyes and you have yielded to a false interpretation of it so it doesn't actually apply to you in the plain speech that it is written in,  then there is a problem:

"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."

1 Timothy 2:9-10

There was an exhortation to men right before this if you read the entire chapter you will see it isn't some foolishly believed exhortation to keep women in bondage and allow men to walk in the flesh. 

Another thing to consider: social media is a place fallen men indulge in their sinful ways; why give them a picture of yourself to become another one of the bodies they've lusted over?

Be honest if you get gratification from all the,  "your so beautiful" comments and that's a motivation for you to post to reassure and feel better about yourself.  If you don't want others to have this impression of you simply forsake the foolish. 

"Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready."

Revelation 19:7 

It's time to get ready, and be free of self deception and carnal insecurities.  Have confidence that you are beautifully and wonderfully created of God,  seek His favor alone and you will be satisfied and your void filled. 

"that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."

Ephesians 5:27 

A Godly Woman

 

A Godly Woman

—Written by an anonymous godly woman

Based on the following scriptures: Proverbs 31, Deuteronomy 6:5-7 & 11:19, Titus 2, I Timothy 2, I Peter 3:1-7, I Corinthians 11 & 14:29-40

The Bible speaks to everyone who follows in the Way,
But some parts are specific in the things they have to say.
The fathers are encouraged, and those alone in life,
And there are admonitions for the mother and the wife.

I always linger over these; they speak to my estate.
They offer me direction in the small things and the great.
To be a godly woman is the goal I want to reach,
And so I need to study what the Scriptures have to teach.

A woman who is called to be a mother and a wife,
Who takes the cross and purposes to live a godly life,
Is ever growing in the faith she’s chosen to profess,
And there are certain qualities she covets to possess.

The godly woman stays at home; her duties keep her there.
She rises while it yet is night and gives herself to prayer.
Her days are full of service and her heart is full of love;
Her mind is full of gratitude and praise for God above.

Though not employed outside the home, she has no mind to shirk.
She eats not bread of idleness, but fruit of honest work.
Her brother and her sister, her parents and her neighbor,
Her husband and her children share the blessing of her labor.

The love her husband feels for her is easy to reflect,
And she not only loves him, but she gives him her respect.
In her his heart may safely trust; she does him only good;
When he confides his inner thoughts, he finds them understood.

She’s mindful, too, of Eden, where the woman was deceived.
She knows it’s not her place to teach (as others have believed)
Nor to usurp authority, but listens with subjection,
In meekness and humility, accepting his direction.

When all the church assembles in a solemn, formal way,
The godly woman listens what the brethren have to say;
And if she hears a statement made that makes her sit up straighter,
The question forming in her mind is asked her husband later.

There is a congregation where her voice is often heard,
And her children are attentive as she teaches them the Word,
When she sits within her house, and when she walks along the way;
When she lays them down at night, and when she rises with the day.

The godly woman is discreet, not seeking others’ praise;
She’s modest in appearance, and she’s modest in her ways.
She isn’t prone to gossip, but her neighbors know she cares,
And any help her hands can give is certain to be theirs.

The godly woman doesn’t follow fashion’s idle whim,
Nor deck herself in gold or gems to draw the eyes of men.
And yet, compared to those who do, she is exceeding fair;
Her meek and quiet spirit is an ornament more rare.

The godly woman isn’t gay; she’s left that all behind.
She’s pleasant and she’s cheerful, but she has a sober mind.
Her covered head, her simple dress, her modest mein are one;
Her singular adornment is the good that she has done.

When years of faithful laboring have bent her body low,
She’ll teach the younger women in the way that they should go.
Her works are their example in the service of the Lord;
And verily, I say to you, she’ll have a rich reward.

Oh, make of me that woman, Lord! And guide me in that way.
Behold, Thou art the potter, and I the softened clay.
Encourage me where I am right; rebuke me where I’m wrong.
I read these Scriptures often and I ponder on them long. ~

This was copied from:

The Heartbeat of The Remnant

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Jewelry

                                
 Luke 21:8 "And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived:..."

 Modern Preachers have been giving false impressions on the Biblical teachings of modesty/jewelry. Biblical Modesty has nothing to do with the culture we live in. Paul never said it was ok for women to wear "inexpensive" jewelry. Right & wrong, according to the Word of God, does not change with the culture. We are to be imitators of what is good, therefore I would rather be as a true daughter of Sarah ("doing good") than adhere to modern interpretations.                    
 Search for yourself. Here's a start:  
The Interlinear Greek-English New Testament (that is the English literal translation directly from the original Greek) So 1 Peter 3:1-6 would literally read (from original Greek)," Likewise, wives, being subject to your own husbands, that, even if they are disobedient to the word, by the conduct of the wives without [the]word they may be gained, having witnessed your chaste conduct [carried out] in fear; whose adorning let it not be the outward [one] of braiding of hair, and putting around of gold, or putting on of garments; but the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible [ornament] of the meek & quiet spirit, which is before God of great price. For thus formerly also the holy women those hoping in God adorned themselves, being subject to their own husbands; as Sarah obeyed Avraham calling him lord; of whom ye became children, doing good & not fearing [with] any (lit. no) consternation."{=Noun=Feelings of anxiety or dismay, typically at something unexpected.}

[words in brackets were applied by translators for English clarity in sentence structure]

 
Read on to see what men of old thought about this subject.

                                    Adornment, Outward
 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. 1 Peter 3:3-4

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 becomes women professing godliness) with good works. 1 Timothy 2:9-10
So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. Revelation 17:3-5

It is childish to admire excessively dark or green stones, and things cast out by the sea on foreign shores, particles of the earth. For to rush after stones that are pellucid and of peculiar colors, and stained glass, is only characteristic of silly people, who are attracted by things that have a striking show. Thus children, on seeing the fire, rush to it, attracted by its brightness; not understanding through senselessness the danger of touching it. Such is the case with the stones which silly women wear fastened to chains and set in necklaces. Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.267
But these women, who comprehend not the symbolism of Scripture, gape all they can for jewels, adducing the astounding apology, "Why may I not use what God has exhibited?" and, "I have it by me, why may I not enjoy it?" and, "For whom were these things made, then, if not for us?" Such are the utterances of those who are totally ignorant of the will of God. Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.268
For God has given to us, I know well, the liberty of use, but only so far as necessary; and He has determined that the use should be common. And it is monstrous for one to live in luxury, while many are in want. How much more glorious is it to do good to many, than to live sumptuously! How much wiser to spend money on human being, than on jewels and gold! Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.269
And let not their ears be pierced, contrary to nature, in order to attach to them earrings and ear-drops. For it is not right to force nature against her wishes. Nor could there be any better ornament for the ears than true instruction, which finds its way naturally into the passages of hearing. Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.270
Love of dainties and love of wine, though great vices, are not of such magnitude as fondness for finery. "A full table and repeated cups" are enough to satisfy greed. But to those who are fond of gold, and purple, and jewels, neither the gold that is above the earth and below it is sufficient… Such people are ready to die with their gold. Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.273
To such an extent, then, has luxury advanced, that not only are the female sex deranged about this frivolous pursuit, but men also are infected with the disease. Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.275
Wherefore the wearing of gold and the use of softer clothing is not to be entirely prohibited. But irrational impulses must be curbed, lest, carrying us away through excessive relaxation, they impel us to sensuality… But there are circumstances in which this strictness may be relaxed. For allowance must sometimes be made in favor of those women who have not been fortunate in having godly husbands, and adorn themselves in order to please their husbands. But let desire for the admiration of their husbands alone be proposed as their aim. Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.284-285
The Word prohibits us from doing violence to nature by boring the lobes of the ears. Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.285
But women who wear gold seem to me to be afraid, lest, if one strip them of their jewelry, they should be taken for servants, without their ornaments. Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.285
The Instructor orders them to go forth "in becoming apparel, and adorn themselves with shamefacedness and sobriety," "subject to their own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; while they behold," he says, "your chaste conversation. 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 the labor of their own hands, above all, adds genuine beauty to women, exercising their bodies and adorning themselves by their own exertions; not bringing unnatural ornament wrought by others, which is vulgar and superficial, but that of every good woman, supplied and woven by her own hands whenever she most requires. For it is never suitable for women whose lives are framed according to God, to appear arrayed in things bought from the market, but in their own home-made work. For a most beautiful thing is it thrifty wife, who clothes both herself and her husband with fair array of her own working; in which all are glad--the children on account of their mother, the husband on account of his wife, she on their account, and all in God. Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.287
Not to deck and adorn herself beyond what is becoming, renders a wife free of calumnious suspicion. While she devotes herself assiduously to prayers and supplications; avoiding frequent departures from the house, and shutting herself up as far as possible from the view of all not related to her, and deeming housekeeping of more consequence than impertinent trifling. Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.379
Therefore a woman, taking counsel from the apostles' foresight, will not too elaborately adorn herself, that she may not either be crowned with any exquisite arrangement of her hair. Tertullian (A.D. 198) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.3 pg. 102
For they, withal, who instituted them are assigned, under condemnation, to the penalty of death, --those angels, to wit, who rushed from heaven on the daughters of men; so that this ignominy also attaches to woman. For when to an age much more ignorant (than ours) they had disclosed certain well-concealed material substances, and several not well-revealed scientific arts--if it is true that they had laid bare the operations of metallurgy, and had divulged the natural properties of herbs, and had promulgated the powers of enchantments, and had traced out every curious art, even to the interpretation of the stars--they conferred properly and as it were peculiarly upon women that instrumental mean of womanly ostentation, the radiances of jewels wherewith necklaces are variegated, and the circlets of gold wherewith the arms are compressed, and the medicaments of orchil with which wools are colored, and that black powder itself wherewith the eyelids and eyelashes are made prominent. Tertullian (A.D. 198) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.4 pg. 14-15
Nay, rather banish quite away from your "free" head all this slavery of ornamentation. In vain do you labor to seem adorned: in vain do you call in the aid of all the most skilful manufacturers of false hair. God bids you "be veiled." I believe (He does so) for fear the heads of some should be seen! Tertullian (A.D. 198) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.4 pg. 22
Let us only wish that we may be no cause for just blasphemy! But how much more provocative of blasphemy is it that you, who are called modesty's priestesses, should appear in public decked and painted out after the manner of the immodest? Tertullian (A.D. 198) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.4 pg.24
The characteristics of ornaments, and of garments, and the allurements of beauty, are not fitting for any but prostitutes and immodest women; and the dress of none is more precious than of those whose modesty is lowly. Thus in the Holy Scriptures, by which the Lord wished us to be both instructed and admonished, the harlot city is described more beautifully arrayed and adorned, and with her ornaments; and the rather on account of those very ornaments about to perish. “And there came,” it is said, “one of the seven angels, which had the seven phials [vials], and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show you the judgment of the great whore, that sits upon many waters, with whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication. And he carried me away in spirit; and I saw a woman sit upon a beast, and that woman was arrayed in a purple and scarlet mantle, and was adorned with gold, and precious stones, and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand, full of curses, and filthiness, and fornication of the whole earth.” Let chaste and modest virgins avoid the dress of the unchaste, the manners of the immodest, the ensigns of brothels, the ornaments of harlots. Cyprian (A.D. 250) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol. 5 pg. 433