This is a guest post. Frank Viola did not write it.
For a Christian woman, ostentation is something to be avoided. In some churches, that includes wearing jewelry other than wedding bands or rings, but the prohibition against wearing jewelry is certainly not universal among Christian churches. In fact, most Biblical scholars agree that dressing in a manner of modesty and moderation does not preclude wearing jewelry and that in Biblical times, it was quite normal for women to adorn themselves.
Modesty and Moderation Are Key
Jesus taught his followers that meekness is a virtue and that women do honor to God by dressing themselves modestly. That doesn’t mean that jewelry is forbidden, though. Rather, the Scriptures prohibit overt ostentation, which means overt shows of wealth and immodesty. Jewelry that is not immodest is just fine.
In today’s society, it can be hard to find jewelry that meets these criteria. As a general rule, look for small pieces that add to the respectability of everyday outfits or formal-wear without attracting too much attention. Those who are sick of searching endlessly through inappropriate jewelry at local stores can more options at Adina’s Jewels and place orders online for discreet necklaces and more.
Jewelry Was the Norm in Biblical Times
Many celebrated female figures in the Bible wore jewelry, which was often given as a blessing and was only taken when pride and sin began to enter people’s hearts. To give just a few examples:
- Joseph accepts a gift of jewelry from the Pharaoh, which he would never have done if it was forbidden by God.
Isaiah compares salvation to a bride and bridegroom adorning themselves with jewelry. It would be unacceptable for him to compare salvation and righteousness to a sinful act.
In Ezekiel, God blesses his children with jewelry and only takes it away when he discovers sin in their hearts.
Married men and women have always celebrated their unions by exchanging wedding bands or rings, which is an essential Christian tradition.
God Cares About What Is in People’s Hearts
Some opponents of wearing jewelry cite the apostles Paul and Peter to make an argument that women should avoid all jewelry, but this argument doesn’t hold up to scrutiny. Paul in 1 Timothy 2:9-10 says that “women dress themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing.” It’s important to take this passage in context, though. Paul is laying out general guidelines for how faithful Christian women should dress, saying that they should avoid ostentation and vanity. He is not saying that women should wear no adornments at all.
Similarly, in 1 Peter 3:3-4, the apostle Peter tells women, “Do not let your adornments be merely outward -; arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel -; rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.” Once again, the Scripture is talking about moderation and avoiding vanity, not avoiding jewelry altogether.
The Bottom Line
What is most important to God is not the outward appearance, but inner beauty and faithfulness. As long as their congregations don’t prohibit it, Christians are free to buy and wear discreet jewelry if they want. Just don’t use it as an excuse to fall into the sin of vanity.
The above was a guest post. Frank Viola did not write it.
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