1: to enhance the appearance of especially with beautiful objects
2: to enliven or decorate as if with ornaments <people of fashion who adorned the Court>
see: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adorned?show=0&t=1285692419
To me, the idea of enhancing my appearance with a beautiful object doesn't seem to be an evil or immoral concept. I've observed, in my short time here on earth, that many in my church have made this into a moral issue and in so doing have done themselves and those they judge a huge disservice. When I say "my church" I'm speaking of my denomination as a whole and not a particular congregation. I'm not trying to bash my church, rather speak on something that has convicted me personally.
Traditionally, my church has had a negative view of adornment and in most cases this refers to wearing jewelery and excessive makeup. As I have thought about this the following questions came to mind...
Why is there such a strong prohibition in regards to jewelery and makeup?
What is the purpose of shunning outward adornment?
Is there a way to quantify or measure how much adornment is too much?
Is adornment limited to clothing and accessories?
What is the difference between various materials of adornment (i.e., silver, gold, silk, cotton, plastic)?
Is the absolute cost important or is it the cost relative to the income of the individual?
Is it OK to wear a $2000 suit but NOT OK to wear a $50 ring?
Can the person who goes to the gym everyday and lives on protein shakes in order to have the "perfect" body guilty of "adornment?"
Should we dress like Quakers? Is that the best way to avoid "adornment"?
As I sat in deep ponderation, something occurred to me. Or more likely, something was revealed to me.
This whole issue of adornment is a heart issue. It's not about WHAT we wear but WHY we wear it. As Christians we are called to a life that is meek and humble. We are to draw attention to God and not to ourselves. So I see adornment as an attitude. It's a way of life that says...HEY LOOK AT ME!
I am chiefest among the guilty! Do I REALLY need to drive a Chrysler Crossfire? When I honestly searched my motives I really only got it for attention. LOOK AT ME! I HAVE A NEW JOB AND I'M SUCCESSFUL!
Then there is the way I dress...or more accurately...used to dress for work. Should I really be KNOWN for how I dress at work? Is a 3-piece suit REALLY necessary? Recently, my office switched to business-casual dress. I was able to use this opportunity to tone down the wardrobe. People still come up to me and tell me they miss the suits and ties. Much better to be known for a joyful attitude than nice clothes.
Am I saying that dressing nice or driving a nice car is wrong? NO! But MY reasons were wrong and therein lies the problem. This brings me to my closing point.
Only two people will ever REALLY know WHY I do what I do--ME and GOD. If that is the case, who are we to tell someone what they should or shouldn't wear. Whether that be a ring, necklace, scarf, tie, cuff-link or broach, it's not our business. We can never know their heart condition. Our job is to model meekness and humility by dealing with the plank in our own eye. God is working on them whether YOU see it or not. Let's live with the right attitude and leave the judgment to God.
But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things human beings look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7 (Today's New International Version)
