It is not a sin to wear jewelry when done in moderation and in a wholesome manner. God compares His children to jewels in Malachi 3:17, indicating that proper and balanced use is acceptable to Him. However, when jewelry is used improperly or excessively in an immoral or vain manner, it is frowned upon by God. The attitude and motive of the wearer are crucial in adorning oneself with jewelry. Peter emphasizes that true adornment should be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

God has standards, and His point of view is reflected in those standards. The creation testifies to the beauty of His holiness, and His word shows that He desires us to be in His image, reflecting the beauty of both character and external appearance according to His standard. In Ezekiel 16, God adorned Israel, personified as a young woman, by cleaning her, clothing her in beauty, and adorning her with jewelry, indicating that external appearance matters as a reflection of Him. The deception that God only cares about the heart ignores that what is in the heart is revealed by external actions, including personal cleanliness, hair, clothing, and overall appearance. God is pleased when we dress and adorn ourselves in a manner that aligns with His standards, as it glorifies Him and is good for us. Upgrading to His standards, as He provides, reflects His way of always improving and enhancing. Regarding specific aspects of appearance, clothing and hair length are significant. Extreme hairstyles and ostentatious clothing often display vanity in the heart, contrasting with the modesty, meekness, and sobriety that should be present. Such external signals reveal a worldly preoccupation with outward appearance rather than inner character. God desires cleanliness and pleasant dressing that avoids drawing overt attention to any part of the body, ensuring we are not a stumbling block or cause of offense to others. Hair length, as a symbol of gender roles, is also important in God's formal arrangement. A woman's hair should be long, hanging down, while a man's hair should be short, not covering the neck, as a sign of respect to God's governmental order. This distinction visibly reflects submission to His standards and serves as a silent witness that He is our God.

God is deeply concerned with both the inner heart and the outward appearance, as they reflect one another. Clothing, as a major biblical symbol, represents righteousness or unrighteousness, illustrating the spiritual condition of a person. The outward attire should mirror the conversion of the heart, witnessing that we are the sons of God, while also influencing conduct in a reciprocal manner. The symbolism of clothing throughout Scripture emphasizes that what is worn externally must align with the internal state, striving to meet God's standards of morality and modesty. In various instances, God uses clothing to reveal true spiritual reality. For example, in His judgment, those who appear tender and delicate outwardly may be seen as harlots inwardly, showing a discrepancy between perception and truth. He urges His people to dress appropriately, reflecting the righteousness expected of those called to be in His presence. Dressing up to meet God's standard is a sign of respect for His holiness and dignity as Creator and Ruler, symbolizing the internal cleansing and sanctification of the heart. God provides fine clothing and adornments to His people, as seen in His covenant relationship with Israel, dressing her as a husband would. However, when such adornments are misused in a seductive or worldly manner, they reflect a heart turned away from honoring Him. The outward adornment of women, including clothing, jewelry, and other embellishments, often mirrors inner pride, arrogance, and seductiveness, which God condemns as contrary to His purpose. The attire of priests, both high and ordinary, is meticulously described to reflect glory, honor, and dignity in God's presence, setting His people apart. As one draws closer to God, the distinctiveness and beauty of clothing increase, symbolizing the growing image and character of God within. Clothing must be clean and appropriate, not casual or common, when coming before Him to worship or serve. The principle of adornment extends to modesty and self-control in dress, ensuring that attire does not draw overt attention to the body but reflects cleanliness, simplicity, gentleness, and reverence. Clothing should be suitable to the occasion, avoiding styles that provoke or stimulate in a manner inconsistent with God's standards. The use of cosmetics, when viewed against the backdrop of biblical evidence on attire, is seen as a vanity, futile in glorifying God or preparing one to be in His image, as it often hides reality rather than revealing the godly innocence He desires.