For sometime now, I have been trying my best to stay from topics that may make me seem extremely passionate. Fashion is one such topic! While this column allows for me to comment on topics I am passionate about, from a biblical perspective, learning to self-edit while unapologetically being authentic is an art, I try my best to practice. With that said, let’s jump into this article.
Article’s background
Jewelry, the topic that if we all be honest we are touchy about based on the principles of the traditional church and our various statuses or positions we hold. Granted, churches overseas are different from the ones here in the West Indies part of the world but if we look into it we are all connected and have some similarities in some way, shape or form.
So, how did I come around to this topic, I was scrolling through social media site, Instagram, when I saw a post shared by Zhara-Marie Henry, a Jamaican Christian influencer. She shared from Unmistakably Melissa, ‘Jewelry: an SDA shame tactic’. It piqued my interest when reading and so as I searched for topics to write about, I thought about this.
Personal background
Though I am not of the advent faith I have to say, I do agree with the views expressed. As a fashionista, I, myself have been triggered by this topic of whether Christians should wear jewelry. Being dedicated to the Lord in the New Testament Church before being baptized in the Pentecostal church, and spending four years in the Apostolic church
I have had my fair share of ‘Christians do not wear Jewelry’ ordeal among other things and it was annoying to me and in all honesty, I felt like an outcast and it sort of made me at times, question my relationship with church and God at points. Thankfully, I was given the grace to stick it out and did not let Him go; and has since then returned to my home church.
What does the bible say though?
Melissa puts it perfectly, of course with biblical references and I wish to share with you. Jewelry when discussed in a negative context is always associated with things such as: pride, paganism, immodesty, etc. Even the bible tells out to be modest with dressing, Firstly,
9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; (1 Timothy chapter 2 verse 9) and
16 Moreover the Lord saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet:
17 Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the Lord will discover their secret parts. 18 In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments about their feet, and their cauls, and their round tires like the moon,
19 The chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers, 20 The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings ,21 The rings, and nose jewels,
22 The changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping pins, 23 The glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the vails.
24 And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead of well-set hair baldness; and instead of and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; and burning instead of beauty.”
(Isiah chapter 3 verses 16-24).
Final view
Jewelry in the church is one of those topics that many will have different views on and one that we can go on and on about. let us focus on the positive side.
While some will argue that the body is the temple of God, which yes, it is in my view things can be done in moderation and the bible does speak on that. Can jewelry cause harm?
Yes, like most things it can; as we say in my neck of the woods, ‘too much of one thing isn’t good,’ At the end of the day, my point is just because you do something does not mean that it is a must for someone else to do. Know your relationship with God, listen to your convictions.