Expert: Elder Greg Madden - 7/29/2010

Question
Hello and good evening. Got some very important questions...1)the teaching on not wearing jewelry -- is that Biblical or non-biblical (basically I am asking whether it is a sin to wear jewelry, or whether there is a commandment from the LORD God concerning Christian women not wearing jewelry). Please provide specific Biblical support, because I feel in my spirit that this teaching is simply unbiblical and is just another means to enslave women attending these churches to man-made doctrine.
2)What exactly does a young, Christian lady who really loves the Lord with all of her heart and mind and has a beautiful relationship with God have to do with her wearing earrings?
3)Last, but not least, if we are now living by grace (grace of God through faith alone in Jesus Christ)and not by deeds of righteousness by the law, why do these churches make it an emphasis to preach about jewelry every week? The pastor also maintains that those women who are saved, but wear jewelry will not be raptured (isn't this heresy?)What in our Lord's name does jewelry have to do with salvation? Thank you for your time.

Answer
Jennifer,

I appoligize for the late reply. Summer is a rather busy time for me. Please allow me to share with you what I have learned about these subjects...

1.  First Samuel 16:7b declares, “The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” First Timothy 2:9-10 tells us, “I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.” Paul did not forbid women from wearing jewelry, makeup, or braided hair—rather he tells women to not let their outward appearance become more important than their inner beauty.

Peter reminds us of this spiritual fact: “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight” (1 Peter 3:3-5). There is nothing wrong with wearing jewelry, makeup, or braided hair as long as it is done in a modest manner. A woman should not be so focused on her outward appearance that she neglects her inner spiritual life. The Bible focuses on the heart. If a woman is spending too much time and money on her appearance, the problem is that the woman’s priorities are wrong. Expensive jewelry and clothing are the results of the problem, not the problem itself.(gotquestions.org)

2. There were men and women in the Bible who wore earrings (Exodus 32:2-3; Numbers 31:50; Judges 8:24; Song of Solomon 1:10-11). The Bible nowhere condemns an earring or earrings in women or men. Some people wonder why earrings are for the most part accepted, but other body piercings are considered questionable at best. This is a good point. The whole issue of piercings is not one of “Does the Bible forbid this?” but rather “Is this something I should do?”

While there is no specific counsel in the Bible about earrings, Paul had general things to say about jewelry when he advised Timothy on worship within the local church: “I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God” (1 Timothy 2:9-10). The principle here applies both in and out of church: modesty, decency, propriety and good deeds are the hallmarks of a true Christian in both men and women.

Whether we choose to wear earrings or any other piece of jewelry is a matter of personal conscience. In any case, clearly our responsibility as Christians is to bring honor and glory to the God we profess to love, doing nothing out of vain conceit (Philippians 2:3) and remembering that “man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7).(gotquestions.org)

3. I believe I have answered this last question above. However, it has been my experience that those who preach against such things do so because they are bound by the traditions of men, and not directed by the Spirit of God.

Jennifier, please let me know if this helps or if you have any further questions.

Elder Greg Madden