Day 5 – 90 Days in Proverbs - A Little Bling

Proverbs 1:8-9 [NKJV] My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother; 9 For they [will be] a graceful ornament on your head, And chains about your neck.

I like jewelry and I am known for my “fancy” fashion sense. Statement earrings or a cascade of stacked necklaces can really enhance an outfit and I often use them to do so. Let’s just say that I am not much into blending in with my attire. Instead of saying “an ornament on your head,” the ESV says “they are a graceful garland for your head” which makes me think of a wreath of flowers. So the idea that obedience adds a little spiritual “bling” – some flowers or jewelry – to my nature is something that appeals to me.

This is not the only place where women are asked to consider what adorns their persons or natures.

1 Timothy 2:9-10 [ESV] says, 9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness--with good works.

Although Paul advises against a focus on fancy apparel, he also mentions the need to be clothed in self-control and good works.  We should focus on good works and self-control as ways to stand out in this world, rather than expensive or flashy clothing.

This is something that we mothers should teach to our daughters. It is also something we older women in the church should model for the younger ones.

Titus 2:5 [ESV] also covers this, speaking of older women teaching the younger to be “self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.”

Don’t think this applies only to women, though. The following verses deal with young men and even Titus himself: [Tit 2:6-7 ESV] 6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity

Of course, these are just a few of the character qualities that meant to “adorn” Christian men and women. But obedience to our Father God and our parents, good works and self-control are very much “stand out” types of ornaments of a person’s character.

Sometimes when I wear a new necklace or other piece of clothing, people notice. Sometimes they don’t.

However, even if the world fails to notice the adornments of these Christian character qualities, we can rest assured that the Father will see them from heaven. We can be thankful that the Father will always notice our “spiritual bling.”

Prayer — Father, let me always be clothed with beautiful spiritual attire. Help me, by your Holy Spirit dwelling in me, to shine brightly with the bling of Christian character and to teach others to do so as well, whenever you give me the responsibility to do so. In Jesus name I pray. Amen

Your thoughts —  

_____________________________________________________________________________________