Years ago you could really tell the religious women by how ugly they were. They wore no makeup, long dresses, a bun... and a face full of irritation! If a women came through the doors of a church with makeup on and pants, the other women would suck all the air out of the church and whisper "Jezebel!" It was crazy. Everything was a sin to them and the men weren't any better themselves, everything that went wrong in a man's life the women was the blame for that too.
It was so bad in the church when I was a child all the people seemed to talk about was what others shouldn't be doing and wearing. They were so focused on the small, insigificant details of the outward appearence that they forgot about the real life-changing message of Jesus Christ. Christianity stopped being about Jesus, the Person, and started being about judgment and public opinion.
1 Samuel 16:7
...for the LORD seeth not as a man seeth;
for man looketh on the outward appearence, but the LORD looketh on the heart"
2007-07-09 03:11:28 · 16 answers · asked by ? 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I believe it was that way longer in the South. Up here, women did wear makeup and did dress appropriately. But now, things are lax. I have even seen ministers and their families out at the grocery store. By the dress, you'd have thought they were of the world, if you didn't know who they were.
None of us have "made it". It is easier for me to see the speck in your eye than the log in my own eye. This is why we are to help keep each other accountable. I had to get after my son this weekend for his Myspace page. He said it was who he was, and I told him he was inconsistent with what he said and showed. I can't control a 24 year old, but did bring it to his attention on the image portrayed to the viewer.
2007-07-09 06:39:27 · answer #1 · answered by RB 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am familiar with some of what you have said. But not all Christians were this way. I can remember as a child going to church that some of the teenagers wouldn't come if they didn't have a new batch of pictures to show to their friends to a new dress to show off. As far as the makeup, we all need any help that we can get to make ourselves look decent. I do believe what the Bible says about a woman not wearing that which pertaineth to a man. God made me a woman and I am proud to be one. I love dressing like a woman in dresses, makeup, etc. I used to dress otherwise, but the Lord dealt with my heart about it, and when I surrendered my will to His, I changed a lot of things in my life. I've found that the more that you give up of your desires, the more closer to the Lord you will be and the more peace that He gives you down in your heart. It's not about being critical of this one or that one for what they do or don't do. We need to take care of our life and we won't have so much time to be critical of others. Much more is accomplished in helping others when we pray for them instead of finding fault with them. If the heart is right, the outside will reflect it and others will know that there is a difference in us. I've never been able to help anyone being critical and mean to them. You may not understand why someone doesn't wear pants, or does do this or that, but don't be too hard on them. They may be much better off that you. You are right when you said that they became so focused on different things that they forgot the most important things about the Lord. I've found that the more I read my Bible and pray, the more I find that I need the Lord's help in my life to keep myself in line. When we follow the Savior, it really doesn't matter what others say or think about us. He knows best!
2007-07-09 10:31:30 · answer #2 · answered by Wantstohelp 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'm an atheist and will refrain from offering my opinion of the philosophical content of your question because -- lately, every time I express my true feelings about religion, a Christian bigot hits the report flag and I have another undeserved violation notice to deal with.
Instead, I would like to complement you on your writing skills. Beyond the obvious fact that you can spell, punctuate correctly, and use capital letters -- your writing style is excellent. I especially liked how, "...the other women would suck all the air out of the church and whisper, 'Jezebel!'" Excellent imagery. It took me right back to my own childhood, when I was forced to attend my parents Church. Over fifty years later, I still have vivid recollections of the women all gossiping about each other. Nicely written question!
2007-07-09 10:45:38 · answer #3 · answered by Diogenes 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
1Sa 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
This verse refers to Saul who was refused or rejected by the Lord to rule Israel. . The Lord had refused Saul to be the King of Israel because He knew from the heart of Saul that he is against God and He selected the youngest son of Jesse to rule Israel . The name is David
You continue to read it inorder to understand it clearly.
jtm
2007-07-09 10:39:13 · answer #4 · answered by Jesus M 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There are still some churches in my area that are still that way they are called Holiness churches Pentecostals are not as bad but we still have a few, are area of churches we have many different different denominations it is unreal so I just worship the Lord from my heart mostly at home and that is were the Lord deals with me at he saved me in a Pentecostal church and then they came against us for doing what God wanted us to do so we moved on to another church and the same thing happen then we started just doing what he wanted us to do from their and we do miss going and we have prayed about another church for him to send us to so we could be of help but nothing so far.
2007-07-09 10:29:39 · answer #5 · answered by Fisherofmen 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, I don't remember those days, but I do remember the days when people went to church to "Worship the Lord", not to show everybody their new dress, or clothes or to see if they could find them a boy or girl they could live with for a few days or weeks, or until their money ran out, which ever came first.
2007-07-09 12:51:08 · answer #6 · answered by PREACHER'S WIFE 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dear Sister,
You are quite correct, i think though that Christianity is slowly turning back towards the heart of the law, which is of course Love!. And away from judgement, which is why our churches are so empty. Jesus came to save sinners, therefore, we who are also sinners should accept them with open arms, no matter what they look like or how they behave.
God Bless you
2007-07-09 10:38:29 · answer #7 · answered by ianptitchener 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have seen those churches and attended them from time to time. Traditions of men have crept in to some places but there are plenty of great congregations. Remember God is teaching us to love "one another". Congregations will do things and say things that hurt our feelings at times, but these things teach us how to truly love one another. We are working out perfection and we do this by the people we fellowship with. Stay strong saint of God. You will be alright.
2007-07-09 10:59:14 · answer #8 · answered by Bobby B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
LMAO @ the bun & Jezebel. The world has bowed to sensable attire. Thank Goodness. Now to stop the whispering.....
2007-07-09 10:15:15 · answer #9 · answered by MotherMayI? 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Thanks for the words of wisdom. They were acting like the Pharisees - a bunch of legalists. Maybe they did not know that Christianity is more about having an intimate relationship with the God of this world through his son than a long list of rules.
2007-07-09 10:16:15 · answer #10 · answered by Freedom 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋