What if a woman came to your place of worship; your local assembly; your church the house of prayer dressed very provocatively? And what if a male came also with his pants draped beneath his buttocks?
Will the way she is dressed cause you to gossip about her? Will the way she is dressed cause you to want a run-over and cover her up? Will the way she is dressed cause you to have her sit in the back where she may not be noticed? Will the way she is dressed cause you some sort of irritation or lustful thoughts coming from deep within? And regarding the young male, will this cause you some sort of irritation as well?
A question was asked to a large group of people about a woman coming to church dressed like a harlot, prostitute, stripper if what she is wearing is appropriate to come to church? But no one asked the question about males wearing their pants beneath their bum coming to church.
I was not at all surprised to hear that it is unacceptable for a woman to come into the church dressed in that manner. I kept waiting for someone, anyone to say that she is welcome to enter, sit, listen, and hopefully accept, and confess JESUS to be her LORD and Savior. But I did not.
But as I listened to all of the wrong answers given, I was pondering the thought as to why not one person revealed that they were not religious but is the reflection of JESUS. What do I mean by this? JESUS commands us to love as HE loves us. [John 13:34, 15:9, 12]
Here are a few examples of how the Word of GOD provides examples of how we must deal with judging people from their outward appearance.
Finally, I raised my voice without anger and provided the answer that I know must have placed a smile on my FATHER’s and JESUS’s faces regarding how people look regarding their grooming and their clothing. Here is the answer I provided.
When a provocatively dressed woman or a male with his pants wrapped beneath his rump enters this building of worship we should be just as approachable, loving, and welcoming as we are with those that attend service often, that we know, or look righteous outwardly.
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” [1 Sam. 16:7-13]
For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? [Mt. 5:46]
Love does not harm a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law. [Rom. 13:10]
Do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices GOD is well pleased. [Heb. 13:16]
We must love those lost souls and be thankful that they were led to enter this building to seek the Savior in the people who proclaim that JESUS is their SAVIOR.
Seek the LORD while HE may be found,
Call upon HIM while HE is near. [Is. 55:6]
We must realize that women who come into the building of prayer are wearing the clothes that reveal their bust, their hips, their thighs, and their buttocks because this is what she has to wear. She has made a difficult choice to come into the building to listen to the Word of GOD. She did not come to be persecuted about her attire. And we must also realize that males wear their pants improperly because of ignorance. Joyfully, accept them into the building. And when seating these wonderful people, do not look for seats way in the back so how they are dressed, or groomed will not be offensive to those that are comfortable about being among the congregants. Now, out of fear and shame if people like this the oppressed, the downtrodden, junkies, alcoholics, homeless, mentally deranged, homosexuals, prostitutes, strippers and the like ask to sit in the rear of the church then do so.
This is just one of the many reasons why lost souls do not want to come into a building of worship. Because of the present-day Pharisees and Sadducees [religious non-relational people in JESUS] sitting in the pews and most often as well the leaders of the ministry. They persecute instead of speaking love and showing that these people are loved by JESUS.
If we would have tunnel vision towards listening to the Word of GOD being preached or taught from the pulpit and demonstrating the love of CHRIST JESUS towards all, not just some we would not see the women who have come in dressed provocatively or notice that the pants on the young man are not being worn properly.
Ninety-nine percent of the time the congregants are looking around to see who is moving about instead of seeking the face of GOD for themselves. Instead of asking GOD in the name of JESUS to help them with all their shortcomings.
Instead, there is gossiping going on about her and him but mostly she. And when a woman comes into your local assembly dressed in a manner that is not becoming and revealing. The question is why is it that the way this most likely lost soul is dressed agitates you? What thoughts come up from your heart? Is it anger and shock? Has the lust of your passion been ignited? Is this woman being unjustifiably judged based on her outward appearance?
How is it that when we judge people based on their outer appearance, we forget our inner struggles of sin?
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. [Mt. 23:27]
“Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” John 7:24 [NKJV]; “Don’t be hypercritical; use your head—and heart! —to discern what is right, to test what is authentically right.” [MSG]; Stop judging by the way things look. Be fair and judge by what is right.” [ERV]. “It will be bad for you teachers of the law and you Pharisees! You are hypocrites! You are like tombs that are painted white. Outside they look fine, but inside they are full of dead people’s bones and all kinds of filth. [ERV]
Here are other scriptures that we should think of when we are quick to judge a person based on their outer appearance.
By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe when she had received the spies with peace. [Heb. 11:31]
Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? [Jms. 2:25]
Many rebuked me for my answer. But I do not care, because those same people that rebuked me likewise rebuke the Word who is JESUS, not me.
We must remember where JESUS found us, we were filthy, cowering in the dark and dampness of our imprisonment in sin. Some of us did everything and went everywhere. Nonetheless, you were found, rescued, and delivered. Why not the same for those who are coming just as they are?
So, the next time anyone comes into the house of prayer that is not attractive, by their lack of grooming, by their outlandish grooming, and by their attire. Love on that person as JESUS loves you. This person is about to become our sibling in the faith of CHRIST JESUS our LORD. Do not cause them to miss their opportunity to come due to your evil heart.
AMFBeM ® ™