Apology

[Jay]

Men who leave their wives for women who are wearing facial paint, revealing apparel, jewelry, etc. are already backsliders who have left their faith and their walk with God. Many times it is already apparent that they are putting on an act or show, at least to those who walk with God. Further anyone who will sleep with a married man (besides his wife) is a harlot, whether that individual is in the church or not. And yes, women do these things to, but there are always signs if you are actually paying attention. It is very rare that someone manages to fly low enough that no one suspects their spiritual and/or moral condition. I have seen too many backsliders who went that route.

Sis. Falla, I have seen an entire youth group destroyed by that. My brothers and I were almost the only ones who desired to serve God, and much of that was because the most of the other young people had few any restrictions placed upon them. We were mocked and ridiculed for obeying pastor, parents, teachers, etc. We were not liked or accepted by almost all of them. I have studied the church website, and I can only recognize a few faces from the youth group that are still in the church. The influence of the family is paramount in causing children to live for God.

As for modesty, I have yet to see anywhere in Oneness Pentecostal circles where what you said held true, Sam. I will agree that sleeves and possibly shorts have had their debatable points. But it was a lonely few who have advocated for anything less. They were always there, but they were far less common than they are today.

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by Jay

Men who leave their wives for women who are wearing facial paint, revealing apparel, jewelry, etc. are already backsliders who have left their faith and their walk with God. Many times it is already apparent that they are putting on an act or show, at least to those who walk with God. Further anyone who will sleep with a married man (besides his wife) is a harlot, whether that individual is in the church or not. And yes, women do these things to, but there are always signs if you are actually paying attention. It is very rare that someone manages to fly low enough that no one suspects their spiritual and/or moral condition. I have seen too many backsliders who went that route.

Sis. Falla, I have seen an entire youth group destroyed by that. My brothers and I were almost the only ones who desired to serve God, and much of that was because the most of the other young people had few any restrictions placed upon them. We were mocked and ridiculed for obeying pastor, parents, teachers, etc. We were not liked or accepted by almost all of them. I have studied the church website, and I can only recognize a few faces from the youth group that are still in the church. The influence of the family is paramount in causing children to live for God.

As for modesty, I have yet to see anywhere in Oneness Pentecostal circles where what you said held true, Sam. I will agree that sleeves and possibly shorts have had their debatable points. But it was a lonely few who have advocated for anything less. They were always there, but they were far less common than they are today.

I would also add that someone who leaves their "facial-paint, jewelry wearing" wives for someone who wears nothing but denim skirts with long uncut hair and NO make up is just as back slidden.

[Cindy]

Oh my goodness, people. The heart has to be clean and the the spirit right, no matter what. That should be our emphasis. And don't think for a minute that there is not a competition in Pentecostal churches, for women to have the most expensive clothes, the best hair, and their jewelry is in there hair or on their clothes.........Because there is. And the same with the men with their suits and hair styles.
Don't even get me started on cars and houses.
NONE of that makes us Holy or right with God, in fact it is just the opposite.
Yes, haughty spirits and looking down on people that can't afford to dress a certain way, exists in our churches just like it does in the world. And that is just WRONG!!

[AreYouReady?]

Originally Posted by hometown guy

Intresting......"chicks who cut their hair, wear makeup, and pants"..... I'm glad most women that are holding up on to holiness are not acting like those harlots............ By your observation it seems like it would be a good idea for wives not to cut their hair, wear makup or pants... There must be a spirit or something attached to that stuff....

Ok, now that I've got your attention on this I want to make an important point.

The emphasis is placed on the woman to have uncut hair, no makeup, no pants, no jewelry, no nail polish, no short sleeves and dresses inches under the knee. Yet, the men who backslide always navigate towards women who do the very things they would not allow their wives to do when they were in the church.

Not trying to be argumentative, but your statement suggests that women who cut their hair, wear makeup, pants, jewelry and other adornments are *harlots*.

Let's define what a "harlot" is:
From the Thesaurus: prostitute, whore, fille de joie, call girl; promiscuous woman; hooker, hustler, tramp; streetwalker, hussy, lady of the evening, tart, pro, member of the oldest profession, scarlet woman, loose woman, fallen woman, cocotte, wanton; strumpet, courtesan, trollop, doxy, trull.

I must say that I have many fine female friends who love God that cut their hair, wear slacks, modest amount of makeup...just enough to compliment the facial features and a modest amount of jewelry and they are not harlots in any way, shape or form.

Words have meanings and we as Christians throw the words around as baseless accusations towards other people without taking into account of their full meaning.

The men get the idea that women who do these things must be "harlots", therefore they can blame their "indiscretions" on the evil woman who "enticed" them by looking well groomed?

The evil spirit isn't attached to "that stuff" you refer to, but the spirit of fornication attaches itself to a vessel (male or female) that was swept clean and vacant (no Holy Ghost).

I've also seen women who looked "holy" on the outside run away with married men in the church. So the spirit of fornication was in their vessels and not attached to physical adornments.

[AreYouReady?]

Originally Posted by Cindy

Oh my goodness, people. The heart has to be clean and the the spirit right, no matter what. That should be our emphasis. And don't think for a minute that there is not a competition in Pentecostal churches, for women to have the most expensive clothes, the best hair, and their jewelry is in there hair or on their clothes.........Because there is. And the same with the men with their suits and hair styles.
Don't even get me started on cars and houses.
NONE of that makes us Holy or right with God, in fact it is just the opposite.
Yes, haughty spirits and looking down on people that can't afford to dress a certain way, exists in our churches just like it does in the world. And that is just WRONG!!

A big AMEN on this one!

1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. (James 2:1-9)

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by Cindy

Oh my goodness, people. The heart has to be clean and the the spirit right, no matter what. That should be our emphasis. And don't think for a minute that there is not a competition in Pentecostal churches, for women to have the most expensive clothes, the best hair, and their jewelry is in there hair or on their clothes.........Because there is. And the same with the men with their suits and hair styles.
Don't even get me started on cars and houses.
NONE of that makes us Holy or right with God, in fact it is just the opposite.
Yes, haughty spirits and looking down on people that can't afford to dress a certain way, exists in our churches just like it does in the world. And that is just WRONG!!

But, on the other hand. We also have kind, loving, non judgmental people in our churches, too. And they far outweigh the other, and that's what draws people to them and to God. They don't care how you dress if you love them.

[Michael Phelps]

Originally Posted by Jay

Men who leave their wives for women who are wearing facial paint, revealing apparel, jewelry, etc. are already backsliders who have left their faith and their walk with God. Many times it is already apparent that they are putting on an act or show, at least to those who walk with God. Further anyone who will sleep with a married man (besides his wife) is a harlot, whether that individual is in the church or not. And yes, women do these things to, but there are always signs if you are actually paying attention. It is very rare that someone manages to fly low enough that no one suspects their spiritual and/or moral condition. I have seen too many backsliders who went that route.

Sis. Falla, I have seen an entire youth group destroyed by that. My brothers and I were almost the only ones who desired to serve God, and much of that was because the most of the other young people had few any restrictions placed upon them. We were mocked and ridiculed for obeying pastor, parents, teachers, etc. We were not liked or accepted by almost all of them. I have studied the church website, and I can only recognize a few faces from the youth group that are still in the church. The influence of the family is paramount in causing children to live for God.

As for modesty, I have yet to see anywhere in Oneness Pentecostal circles where what you said held true, Sam. I will agree that sleeves and possibly shorts have had their debatable points. But it was a lonely few who have advocated for anything less. They were always there, but they were far less common than they are today.

I Kings 19:
14And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

Sorry, just immediately thought of this scripture when I read that part of your post. Just seems a bit self-righteous to me, just my perception.

[hometown guy]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

I Kings 19:
14And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

Sorry, just immediately thought of this scripture when I read that part of your post. Just seems a bit self-righteous to me, just my perception.

Ya I think it is just your perception... Or a better word is your "judgment"..
This is the scripture came to mind when I read your "perception"

Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

[Michael Phelps]

Originally Posted by hometown guy

Ya I think it is just your perception... Or a better word is your "judgment"..
This is the scripture came to mind when I read your "perception"

Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

Thanks, but I don't believe I'll pay much attention to a person who calls a woman with trimmed hair a "harlot". Please refer to above scripture you posted.

[hometown guy]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

Thanks, but I don't believe I'll pay much attention to a person who calls a woman with trimmed hair a "harlot". Please refer to above scripture you posted.

I have never called a women with trimmed hair a harlot