Thank you, Denise, for giving AP31 this post!
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"Your Body, God's Temple"
An encouragement to young women.
By, Denise Cross
1 Thessalonians 4:4 "That every one...should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor"
My dear Christian friend, as a Christian woman, mother, grandmother and pastor's wife, I have a tremendous burden for young women today. I have watched many grow from precious little girls into adulthood. Sadly, something changes around the ages of 13 or 14 in the lives of these young women; the "marks of the world" begin to appear all over them.
God has a plan fro your life! He loves you more than anyone ever could, including your own parents. His plan does not include mimicking the world, because He has literally set you apart for Himself when He became your Savior.
The Bible tells us that "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) Do you remember the day you invited Christ to be your Savior? That is the very day you became His temple.
What difference does is make whether we are worldly or not? God is a holy God and will not be associated with anything other than holiness. "And ye shall be holy unto Me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be Mine." (Leviticus 20:26) Because we are His, we are to sanctify (set apart) ourselves to Him and be holy like Him, "Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God." (Leviticus 20:7)
How do we begin? First of all, we ask Him to forgive us for the worldliness we have sought instead of seeking Him. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)
After we confess our sin, we should evaluate our temple (body). That includes how we dress it. The world has convinced us that our only worth is tied to how pretty we are and how well-built we are. Because we have fallen for this lie, Christian girls have decided to dress immodestly and draw attention to their outward appearance in a negative way and not in a manner God has in mind.
Even some heathen religions have enough sense to cover up their bodies. They do so because they don't want men to take advantage of them or to be allured by them. Girl's belly, breasts, and thighs should not be on display!
What's wrong with dressing nice? Nothing! Christians should especially dress in such a way that brings glory to God. "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31) That should be our goal, to point others to Him, even by the way we dress.
We should also be careful about what we put into our bodies. We know that drugs and alcohol are toxic and can destroy our bodies and souls. Much evidence supporting that fact is readily available; I don't have to elaborate.
There is also another facet that should be addressed-food. American men and women are now in a crisis when it comes to our health. Food has become a god and is a drug in the sense that it can get a hold on us. As young women, we can and should take care of ourselves. Remember, our bodies are God's temple purchased at a high price. We can control our weight and protect ourselves from dreadful diseases such a diabetes, high blood pressure, and even cancer. The evidence is clear and God does, indeed, care about our health. Ask for help.
Finally, what about the second part of 1 Corinthians 6:20, where it says that out "spirit" is His? There is a difference in people when it comes to the spirit, which is the inner being of a person. I know of women who seem to always be complaining about everything. That's having a "complaining spirit". Others may have a habit of putting people down. That's having a "critical spirit". There are also those that gossip and talk about the faults of others; the Bible calls them "whisperers". You know what I'm talking about. Even young girls do it. It's the carnal nature in it's ugliest form. It causes divisions among friends, families, and even churches.
There are other women who have a "sweet spirit" about them. They have, inside them, an inner glow that draws people to them. They love the Lord, and get into His word. They talk about the things of the Lord, because they love Him. When I'm with them I am encouraged, nourished and refreshed, which is as it should be. It is like being with the Lord Himself because they have been with Him, and it shows.
What will you do with the precious life that God has given to you? Will you seek to glorify God in your body and in your spirit? Please know that satan is alive and well, and his goal is to destroy us. "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8). If you choose to be like the world, then you are walking away from God.
Bow your head and your heart right now and commit your body and spirit to Him. Ask Him to guide you and bring godly women into your life to mentor you. Don't be afraid to ask them for help and guidance. God will not disappoint you.
Denise Cross
dressing is a big problem even in South Africa especially in the summer, everyone is always covered up during winter but when it comes to summer all those clothes come off. the other problem is that almost all the clothes sold in shops for woman are very indecent so it takes a while when shopping to find appropriate clothing. but if you are convicted of the Holy Spirit you will search until you find them, that what usually happenes when I go shopping for clothes because I have made a decision to dress in a manner well pleasing to my Lord.
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