* Not conformed to this world ... don't copy this world. don't live the way of this world or by worldly sayings.
Some
people try to be "fashionable", dressing to current style. But for
women especially, this could lead you to go against that which God
teaches women in the Bible.
2 Timothy 2:9 (Paul says) In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
A
few years ago, there was a dress which was made to give the image that
the woman's underclothing were showing on top ... One of our church
group enjoyed being fashionable and she appeared wearing that type of
dress. I said to her, "You should not be wearing that." (it was sexually suggestive and had even been formed by the dress manufacture deliberately to be that way.)
* modest
apparel: dressing so as to avoid impropriety, especially to avoid
attracting sexual attention to one's self; clothing not revealing or
emphasizing or drawing attention to an area of their body
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Once my cleaning lady said, "Don't you ever feel you have to keep up with the Jones's?"
I was shocked and replied, "What?" She repeated her statement and I thought about what she said and examined myself and replied, "No ... I don't think I do."
(I was driving a 20 year old car at the time.)
Today
I have a new car, but I bought it to try to get a smoother ride because
I've had several bones broken through the years and I often have pain
when we drive over some of the highways. My old car had air-suspension
and rode very differently from the SUV's. I found a car that has a good
air-suspension ride and bought that because of the need for a more
gentle riding car, not to impress anyone with the car I drive.
The motive with which we do things can be sin or might not be sin. We just need to judge ourselves. Why am I doing this? What is my motive?
I Corinthians 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
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There
are several scriptures telling Christians how to live on this earth
concerning money. When we renew our minds to the Bible, we won't live
the way this world lives.
Deuteronomy 28
2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.
10 And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee.
(People
will refrain from cursing in front of you and will not tell "off color"
stories when you are there for they will feel you are a godly person.)
13 And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:
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You will not feel you have to vote when you renew your mind to the word of God.
2 John
8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
Be
careful concerning wishing a person "well" for if that person goes out
from your house and does evil, you become a partaker of his "evil deeds"
if you have wished that person well.
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The motive behind our actions:
If we purchase something trying to outdo another person we likely sin ... apparel, cars, clothing, houses.
If we are trying to impress other people we likely sin.
As we renew our minds to Word of God, we have an opportunity to change the way we think, conforming ourselves to godliness.
I often pray this over myself: Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
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I Timothy 6 (concerning money and possessions of this world)
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich (have a lot of money in savings and worldly possessions) fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil (following after money): which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth (makes alive) all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
15 Which in his times HE shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
17 Charge them that are rich in this world (have money saved), that they be not highminded (arrogant) , nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
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