Remember when...?

[Aquila]

I believe that modesty can play an important part in this kind of move... or standards can hinder it.

I believe that when people have a clear conscience between themselves and God, the Spirit flows freely through worship. Modesty truly does bring a sense of peace.

However, when the form and fashion of modesty becomes codified into a rigid and cold list of dress code standards, whereby we measure ourselves against one another, they only serve to awaken the ego, the self. This carnal reasoning and spiritual superiority complex can seriously hinder the move of the Spirit.

For example, before I left the institutional church the "Apostolic Identity Movement" was really taking off. Our services deadened as we focused in on "Apostolic Identity". I watched as people began to spiritually identify themselves with the religious form and fashion of the UPCI in a very strict and zealous manner. Those who didn't "fit in" were marginalized. The Holy Spirit spoke to me, saying, "Do not identify yourself with anyone or anything but Christ." Soon, taking on the mind of Christ, putting on the image of Jesus, focusing in on being a living extension of Jesus took a back seat... and it all became about... us. From that day forward... the services were rather dead and all efforts to "shout it all up" were discernibly "in the flesh". Soon, while individuals still prayed in tongues, public address through tongues and interpretations ceased.

Modesty and consecration certainly do affect our faith and contributes to the depth of worship and the flow of the Spirit. But legalism can kill it just as quickly as overt worldliness.