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What Is Proper Women's Dress (I Timothy 2:9)?

Bible Questions & Answers

God's guidelines regarding clothing and dress are very general, expecting Christian women to dress in modest apparel with propriety and moderation, avoiding flamboyant or garish styles. A Christian woman should not attract undue attention by wearing provocative, suggestive, or outrageous clothing. Instead, she should be a light to the world, exemplifying balance and good taste in her attire. Clothes can be fashionable without being immodest or peculiar, and apparel should be appropriate for the occasion. The meek and quiet spirit of a truly converted Christian woman will be reflected in the clothing she selects, wearing what is appropriate and stylish for any given occasion, but always with proper modesty and decorum. God will look on the heart of such a woman with approval.

Knowing God: Formality and Customs (Part Six)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Human nature often craves attention and adulation, a drive that can manifest as vanity and competitiveness, seeking the approval and respect of peers. This desire for exaltation can be a powerful motivation behind many actions, revealing a deep-seated need to be looked up to and admired. Such yearning to be greater than others, to rule over them, is not a passive attitude but an active force that impacts life and relationships. Jesus Christ addresses this sinful inclination by redirecting focus to a fundamental question: Will one even be in the Kingdom of God? He implies that continuing in an attitude of competition and self-exaltation jeopardizes one's place in the Kingdom. Using the example of a little child, He illustrates the essential quality needed—humility and a childlike nature, which counters the drive for personal glory. This childlike state, characterized by humility, simplicity, innocence, and vulnerability, stands in stark contrast to the worldly desire for attention and rank. The disciples themselves demonstrated this human tendency when, upon hearing of Jesus Christ's impending suffering and death, their sorrow quickly turned to a craving for personal exaltation. Their grief evaporated into concern for their own status, revealing how swiftly the desire for attention can overshadow deeper concerns. This same drive lurks within everyone, often influencing attitudes toward subjects like formality and decorum, where the pull of the flesh seeks to exalt and gratify itself rather than honor God.

The March Toward Globalism (Part Eight)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Children often exhibit a growing need for constant attention and admiration, a trait influenced by the adversary's focus on self-centeredness. This desire manifests in behaviors such as temper outbursts, exaggerated humiliation, pouting, and expectations for special treatment. They may take advantage of others, particularly parents and siblings, showing weakness in remembering responsibilities and being sloppy in their duties. Such irrational and undependable actions stem from thinking primarily of themselves and their desires, aligning with the adversary's goal to prioritize self over others. This self-focused mindset, if unchecked, undermines the foundational values of family and community as intended by God. In contrast, certain environments can either promote or restrain this self-centeredness. Among wealthier families, there is often a heightened concern for child training, driven by a desire to uphold family reputation and build wealth. These parents pay serious attention to preparing their children for adulthood, sometimes hiring professionals to ensure specific goals are met, reflecting a deliberate effort to guide their children's desires and focus. While their motivations may differ from those centered on reverence for God, the principle of intentional guidance stands out as a counter to unchecked self-interest. The adversary, however, actively works to intensify self-centered desires through permissive childrearing practices that focus on pleasing the child rather than guiding them. This approach fosters adults who are aggressively competitive and focused on personal gratification, a training that begins in childhood and aims to destroy the family structure that God established. By promoting a culture where personal desires override communal responsibility, the adversary seeks to prepare individuals for his purposes, contrasting sharply with God's desire for families to be reared in His nurture and admonition.

New Covenant Priesthood (Part Seven)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Pride is the basis of resisting God, while humility is the key to a relationship with Him. We recognize it in others but we seldom see it in ourselves.

Has America Gone Crazy? (Part Two)

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The word 'crazy' comes from the image of an object full of cracks. It implies that a crazy person is so untrustworthy that he must be handled with caution.

Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Ten)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Many of God's servants, including Elijah and Jeremiah, had their crises of faith, desiring to flee from their responsibilities and commitments.

Is the United States a Christian Nation? (Part Seven)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

When the U.S. Congress wanted to put 'In God we Trust' on currency, the Seventh Day Adventists objected, arguing that the U.S. has never been a Christian nation.

The Tenth Commandment

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Coveting begins as a desire. Human nature cannot be satisfied, nothing physical can satisfy covetousness, and joy does not derive from materialism.

Afflicting Our Souls

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Jesus taught that fasting is an internal, spiritual good work, done in the inner self. Any other kind of fasting has little or no spiritual value.

Leadership and Covenants (Part Twenty-Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Much of Protestantism misconstrues the significance of the New Covenant as a 'free pass into Heaven' without paying attention to the Law within the Covenant.