15 To the pure, all things are pure; but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure. Indeed, both their minds and their consciences are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but by their actions they deny Him.--Titus 1:15-16a, Berean Standard Bible

"To the pure, all things are pure," the Word says. The problem is, most humans aren't. May the LORD help us ladies who represent Him, to represent Him well--by not being distracting nor distracted!

I know, I know--there is so much sensuality in the world, even on posters in the retail stores, that it seems almost unavoidable. It seems that "everyone" is dressing either "down" (especially with the stretchy pants, since covid) or "sexy" and doesn't seem to see anything wrong with it. 

If you got it, flaunt it, right? (as the old saying goes)

Wrong. That is what the world does. That is what the devil does.

So who do we want to represent--the devil, or the LORD Jesus Christ?

It's a sad thing when a non-believer cannot tell the difference between a woman of God and a street walker. 

Sigh.

Girls younger and younger want to experiment with makeup and more. 

It is very possible to dress attractively, femininely, and with no sensual connotation. We can wear makeup and jeans and dresses and earrings and other jewely, with the right motives and results. 

In the past, I've been guilty of dressing to attract other men, and there were many wrong roots that caused that, from pride to rejection from my father; to rejection and multi-level abuse in the rebellious marriage I was in right out of high school, to oppression from demonic spirits of perversity (which means “twisted”; anything other than the pure truth) from various sources even from childhood; etc. etc., ad nauseum.

I've also dressed many times as UNattractively as possible, because I've been shocked and discouraged, and even frustrated and angered, by how wayyyy too many "Christian" men have responded to me sensuously with flirting and just outright wrong and anti-marriage behavior.  A lot of this was unprovoked, and I've had to work through unforgivenss and bitterness and that's another writing. Anyway, the devil will take whatever ground he can, and the root of it all is to distract us and others from adoring and worshiping and following the true God, the LORD Jesus Christ!

HE is the truly Beautiful One!

Understand, therefore, that the LORD your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands.--Deut 7:9, Berean Standard Bible

So, unfortunately, is the case with most of the human race! UGH!

People know inside when they’re doing wrong. Even unbelievers know it.

Can I tell you a secret? Both unbelievers and believers who aren’t acting like it are waiting for the true sons and daughters of God to appear on the planet!

For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are.—Romans 8:19, NLT

Anyway, I know I’ve seen men be disappointed and slightly shocked when, like the day I ran out of the house to go to the health food store, and forgot that my jacket did not really cover my behind—and it looked like I was trying to be sexy!  There was a strong Christian male believer who I saw ever so often there, and it blessed my heart that he genuinely looked shocked when he saw my short jacket—and pants that were too snug for that short jacket!

Other men gave me “admiring” glances that I am sure that their wives would not have appreciated them giving me.

UGH.

Anyway, I’m not your judge, but I do know my heart has hurt many times when I’ve seen women ministers get up in front of the pulpit, knowing the men would be distracted by their appearance and think on carnal things…Let’s be honest, ladies. We almost always know exactly what we are trying to achieve with our appearance!

Who are we really trying to please? Whose attention do we really want? If we want sexual attention from men, should we be surprised when they start flirting with us and making advances otherwise?

Jesus the LORD, our Christ, our Savior, is the beautiful One!  When we yield to Him, others see Him—and they so desperately need to, especially in this crazy, soon-to-end world!

It's documented that even some young men have complained that they can't go to church and feel "safe", without having to see more of a woman than they want. 

They want to go to church to worship God!

We know, too, that the way we dress and act can be a distraction to other women, who are either comparing themselves with us, and/or thinking about how their husbands are reacting to the way we look and act.

Do we want to help people think about and focus on us, or are we here to help others see and know how pure and good and gracious and kind and merciful and faithful and victorious and generous and truly beautiful that the LORD Jesus Christ is?

Just like in marriage, or making a baby, it takes two!

Let us not have even any hint of darkness, for we are the light; not in dress, nor in word or deed.

Before Jesus came, the earthly penalty for sin was heavy!  

…20  Now if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I put a stumbling block before him, he will die. If you did not warn him, he will die in his sin, and the righteous acts he did will not be remembered. And I will hold you responsible for his blood. 21But if you warn the righteous man not to sin, and he does not sin, he will indeed live because he heeded your warning, and you will have saved yourself.” --Ezekiel 3:21, Berean Standard Bible

Thank goodness in His truly awesome Love and Grace and Mercy, He sent Jesus, Who was the only One Who could ever be pure enough to pay for all our sins--sensuality and otherwise! When we agree with Him that we are sinners and need His pure blood to forgive and cleanse us, and for Him to come into our hearts and be our Savior and LORD and Best Friend and Spirit Guide, He does. Praise Him, He takes our rags of sin and shame, and clothes us with His very own robes of Righteousness! Hallelujah!

10 I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom wears a priestly headdress, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. --Isaiah 61:1, Berean Standard Bible

Then, His dear Spirit of Truth continually comforts, convicts, and convinces us of sin, and how to repent or and renounce it, and start doing right things! 

As the LORD has had to help me realize and renounce and get rid of lots of wrong behavior in dress and thoughts and desires and actions, to reflect Him much better and get out of myself (and that will be an ongoing process till I go to Heaven and continue There!), the LORD will help us.

Truly, it is our personal responsibility to represent Christ Jesus, our blessed Hope and Savior, as well as we can.  It’s why we Believers are still on the planet!

²⁰ So we are Christ’s ambassadors, God making His appeal as it were through us. We [as Christ’s personal representatives] beg you for His sake to lay hold of the divine favor [now offered you] and be reconciled to God.—2 Corinthians 5:20, AMPC

We want our daughters to be pure, don’t we? (DON’T WE??!) We are not responsible for their adult actions, really, but the seeds we plant in their youth are very powerful--for good and bad, by example, by speech, and all. They are absorbing more than we think! 

Let no one despise or think less of you because of your youth, but be an example (pattern) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.—I Timothy 4:12, AMPC

That Scripture was written to a young man, but it can be used for any of us. To God, if we are born again by faith in believing what the LORD did for us in dying on the cross over 2,000 years ago to cleanse us from our sins and restore us to Heavenly kingly status and authority on earth and forever in Heaven, we are kids!

So, when our Father God corrects us, it is always for our good. We don't want to sin, nor cause others to sin. Amen!

For All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.--1 Peter 1:24-25 King James Version (KJV)

"Everybody does it" is a lie and excuse--even among born-again Christians who are acting like the world. No, everybody does NOT practice impurity. There are many, even youths and teens,  who have and are turning from it, praise God! The LORD is going to use them mightily in these Last Days, to help prepare for the very soon return of King Jesus! 

⁶ For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. ⁷ Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. ⁸ So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. ⁹ But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. ¹⁰ And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. --Romans 8:6-10, KJV

Let you and I as women of God walk in love and wisdom and purity, and be examples and lights to this dark world. Let us help our glorious King Who died for us to live, to accomplish His mission; that many would come to know Him and go with us to a heavenly Eternity!

The closer we follow the LORD, the more we will have peace. We also have to remember that not everyone will appreciate our efforts on earth--but the LORD Jesus Christ, our Savior and Master and Lover of our souls, will--and He will reward us for our efforts. He alone knows our hearts. Our motives to make a positive difference and rise above the herd mentality please Him!

⁸ Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.—Philippians 4:8, KJV

…11  Let the unrighteous continue to be unrighteous, and the vile continue to be vile; let the righteous continue to practice righteousness, and the holy continue to be holy.” 12“Behold, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to what he has done.--Revelation 22:11-12, Berean Standard Bible

The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of LORD Jesus in our hearts, will help us rise above the mess and be excellent Messengers for Him! He is faithful to hear and help us. Hallelujah!

Through books, courses, presentations, service, prayer, worship, and more, Tonja and her husband live to exalt God. Her series for girls, P.O.W.E.R. GIRL ADVENTURES, is now out (books I-V), along with LEGACY; YOUR HOLY HEALTH: VISIONS OF THE KING, and more. See the "River Rain Creative" YT channel.