Where Does God Draw the Line of Distinction?

In our last presentation we spoke about the need for a line of distinction between saints and sinners. God has made it abundantly clear that there is to be a clear distinction between His people and the world in the way they dress. We read numerous quotations that told us that we are not to yield one inch to worldly fashions, we are to make no compromise with them, nor imitate them. We are not to remove the barriers of female modesty, but stand in moral independence in opposition to the immodest, degenerate worldly fashions. We are to flee from pride of appearance, and be willing to be singular, distinct, and dress opposite from the world. We are to make the line of distinction more plain, so there is a marked contrast between us and the appearance of worldlings. We are to lift up the moral standard, and be a godly example in dress. We are to renounce the fashions of the world, and refrain from adorning and decorating our bodies.

All of this inspired counsel does us no good unless we make personal application in our own appearance. There is a problem, however. Because we have become so Laodicean, so blinded by worldliness, that we not readily discern where this line of distinction should be drawn. As a people, we have compromised inch by inch, and style by style, until there is great confusion as to what is acceptable to God.

Yet, the counsel remains: There is to be a clear line of distinction between us and the world. Where is this line? We must know the answer in order to apply the counsel.

God wants us to dress so that we look like Christians in our appearance.

My sisters, dress as Christians should dress,-- simply, plainly; adorn yourselves as becometh women professing godliness, with good works. {RH, December 6, 1881 par. 16}

He wants you to be Christians, not in name alone, but also in dress..{CG 413}

The topic of dress reform stirs up controversy like no other. Church members vigorously defend their rights to dress as they please. But we are speaking to those who are desirous of revival and reformation in their lives.

"Revival signifies a renewal of spiritual life, a quickening of the powers of mind and heart, a resurrection from spiritual death. Reformation signifies a reorganization, a change in ideas and theories, habits and practices. Reformation will not bring forth the good fruit of righteousness unless it is connected with the revival of the Spirit. Revival and reformation are to do their appointed work, and in doing this work they must blend." {LDE 189.3}

If we want revival, we must also want reformation, because they are undeniably linked. True reformation includes dress reform. It's not optional for those who are seeking for spiritual renewal.

In fact, there is such a powerful connection between how we dress and the development of our characters that many find their struggle with pride and worldliness greatly lessened just by obeying God's counsel on our appearance.

Let us make sure that we are standing on a solid foundation, which is Jesus Christ alone. Our obedience cannot save us. It is our faith in His atoning work for us that connects us to Him, and gives us access to His saving grace.

Jesus is the source of all spiritual power, and we must never forget that. His sanctifying power is designed to rid us of all worldliness, pride, sensuality, self-indulgence and rebellion. The various aspects of dress reform are ideally suited to help us to purge these sins from our lives. Conforming our appearance to God's ideal develops humility, purity, selflessness, and willing submission to Him, leading us to desire His holiness and separation from the world. The willingness to shun outward adorning greatly enhances our quest for inward adorning.

And we acknowledge God's sovereignty over our lives, and desire to be controlled by His Spirit, He creates a willingness in our hearts to respond to His counsel. He wants us to take this to heart. He will show us how we can be separate from the world.

We need divine discernment to understand these matters. We need to consider: Where has the blurring and blending taken place so the distinction has become muddled? One needs only to take a look at the styles of Ellen White's day, and compare them to the styles of today to see a huge difference. It's not just a difference of styles and fabrics that arise from modern technology. There is an enormous moral difference, a huge exposure, particularly of the female flesh and form that bespeaks blatant rebellion and decadence in worldly society. The necklines, the hemlines, the sleeve length are all obviously different in today's fashions, even in comparing worldly against worldly.

Could it be that God's line of distinction has something to do with our necklines, our sleeve lines, our hemlines, our outlines? And what about our tan lines and our waist lines. And let us not forget our dye lines, our eye lines, and our lip lines. Indeed, these are areas that cause the blending, so there is no distinction. We need distinct lines of demarcation between us and the world.

We are pilgrims and strangers who are waiting, hoping, and praying for that blessed hope, the glorious appearing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. If we believe this and bring it into our practical life, what vigorous action would this faith and hope inspire; what fervent love one for another; what careful holy living for the glory of God; and in our respect for the recompense of the reward, what distinct lines of demarcation would be evidenced between us and the world .--Manuscript 39, 1893. {Ev 220.4}

How many inches have we given in to our low necklines and short hemlines, to our clinging outlines in wearing form-fitting clothing? The church has followed the world in these areas. There are many ways the world decorates their bodies, with various articles of clothing, cosmetics, jewelry, and techniques. These are all contrary to the simple, modest distinctive way Christians are to dress.

Satan knows that women have a power of influence for good or for evil; therefore he seeks to enlist them in his cause. He invents multitudinous fashions, and tempts the women of the present day, as he did Eve to pluck and eat, to adopt and practice these ever-changing, never-satisfying modes. {WM 161.1}

It is time, dear people of God, to take back the territory that Satan has conquered. It is time to make those lines of distinction clear and plain so all can see we are not on the enemy's side. It is time to raise our necklines, lower our hemlines, and to stop revealing our outlines so all can see all our curves and crevasses. For too long we have followed the world.

God is not in their thoughts; their carnal minds dwell upon themselves; they decorate their poor mortal bodies, and then look upon themselves with satisfaction and pleasure. Jesus and the angels look upon them in anger. {EW 274.1}

But those who wear the garb of Christianity, and yet who are governed by the fashions and maxims of the world, are moral corrupters . They claim to be seeking heavenly treasures, but the atmosphere with which their souls are surrounded is one that is charged with a deadly spiritual miasma, and they should be shunned by those who would remain unspotted by the world. {FE 298.1}

Fashions have changed greatly since her day, and it is not the feathers, flowers, lace and ribbons that are stylish today. How does the modern worldly woman decorate her body? With jewelry, and with tattoos and piercings, to be sure. But also with make-up, nail enhancements or color, and unnatural hair treatment and styles. And while certain elements of worldly decorations are rare in the church, others have become totally acceptable, and indeed the norm. Mascara, eye liner, lip gloss are commonplace among us, as well as the use of hair dyes, bleaches, Are these not worldly decorations? Do they not remove the marked contrast, that line of demarcation that God desires to have us make even more distinct in these last days? These things cause a blending of professed Christians and the world so you can't tell them apart.

And we must mention shoes. What we choose to wear on our feet says a lot about us. Our shoes, perhaps even more than our clothes, reveal pride or humility. What other reason is there for wearing high heels than for pride and display? They put the body in an unnatural position, accentuating sensuality. They are unhealthful for the foot, for the posture, for the back. And most seriously, they cause us to look worldly. They tell the world that we are slaves of fashion, and care more about our appearance than about being separate from the world. Low-heeled, comfortable, naturally shaped shoes are not stylish, but they speak volumes about the wearer.

I fear that God's people are asleep, and so conformed to the world that we can hardly know them, or discern between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. The distance is widening between Christ and his people, and lessening between them and the world. The marks of distinction between Christ's professed people and the world, have almost disappeared . They follow after the abominations of the nations around them, as did ancient Israel. {4bSG 66.1}

If we are seeking revival and reformation, we need to clearly understand what is an abomination to God regarding our appearance. If we do not understand these things, we are liable to fall for Satan's deceptions.

The Israel of God in these last days are in constant danger of mingling with the world and losing all signs of being the chosen people of God. Read again Titus 2:13-15. We are here brought down to the last days, when God is purifying unto Himself a peculiar people. Shall we provoke Him as did ancient Israel? Shall we bring His wrath upon us by departing from Him and mingling with the world, and following the abominations of the nations around us? {1T 283.3}

What are the abomination of the world in these last days? Can we see them clearly?

Women are too often tempters.There is a strange abandonment of principle. The standard of morality is lowered, and the earth is fast becoming as Sodom. The Sodomitish practices which brought the judgment of God upon the old world and caused it to be destroyed by water, and which caused Sodom to be destroyed by fire, are fast increasing. {ST, October 15, 1885 par. 6}

As we see the blatant immorality and homosexuality gaining ground in society, we should consider how worldly abominations in fashion have been used to bring this about. There are several fashionable practices that have lead to this moral decline. One of the more obvious ones concerns swimwear.

Fashion is a tyrant, and nearly all are slaves to it. .. Modesty is rare; it seems to have departed from this enlightened age. {RH, November 26, 1861 par. 4}

The Spirit of Prophecy does not address the specific concern of modern swimwear, as it was unheard of in her day for even the most profligate of society to bare their bodies when swimming publicly. But the principles are clearly recorded so that we can apply them to our current situations. We may think we dress modestly, but our true standard of modesty is revealed by what we are willing to wear at a beach or lake on a hot day.

Do women not provide unwarranted familiarity with their bodies when they reveal all but that is typically covered by underwear?

The standard of morality is not exalted high enough among God's people. In view of the dangers of this time, shall not we, as commandment-keeping people, put away from among us all sin, all iniquity, and all perverseness? Shall not the women professing the truth keep strict guard over themselves, lest the least encouragement be given to unwarrantable familiarity? They might close many a door to temptation if they would observe at all times strict reserve, and propriety of deportment. Never should the mark of distinction between the followers of Jesus and the followers of Satan be obliterated. There is a distinct line drawn by God himself between the world and the church, between commandment-keepers and commandment-breakers. These do not blend together. They are as far separated, as much different, as midday and midnight; different in their tastes, their aims, their pursuits, their characters. If we cultivate the love and fear of God, we will loathe the least approach to impurity. {ST, October 15, 1885 par. 8}

Is not heaven sufficient inducement to lead us to renounce the immoral fashions of this world?

God will have a separate and peculiar people. Their faith is peculiar. Their prospects are peculiar and glorious, and if they do not consider the heavenly inducement offered them of sufficient value to lead them to renounce the fashions of the world, when God rises up to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity, they must perish with them. . The fashions of the world hold God's people in bondage. {RH, November 26, 1861 par. 5}

Are we willing to pray for moral courage to withstand these degenerate worldly fashions?

Those who have really chosen God and heaven as their portion will be peculiar. The sanctifying influence of the truth has separated them from the world, and they will have moral courage to carry out their faith, and by their simple plainness of dress and holy living condemn the idolatry and extravagance of this age. RH, November 26, 1861 par. 6}

Oh, how we need moral courage to stand up for purity and holiness even in our appearance. Ellen White was alarmed because God's people were being led by fashion, they were asleep and conformed to the world, the distance was lessening between the church and the world, the marks of distinction were almost gone, and they follow the abomination of the nations around them.

But God's people have so long been led by the inventions and fashions of the world that they are unwilling to move out independent of them. When I study the Scriptures, I am alarmed for the Israel of God in these last days. They are exhorted to flee from idolatry. I fear that they are asleep and so conformed to the world that it would be difficult to discern between him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not. The distance is widening between Christ and His people, and lessening between them and the world. The marks of distinction between Christ's professed people and the world have almost disappeared. Like ancient Israel, they follow after the abominations of the nations around them. {1T 276.3}

We're talked about the immodest abominations that lead to immorality. There is another abomination that tends toward sexual perversion. And that has to do with blurring the distinction between the sexes.

There is an increasing tendency to have women in their dress and appearance as near like the other sex as possible and to fashion their dress very much like that of men, but God pronounces it abomination. " {CG 427.2}

Have we followed this abomination? Are women dressing similar to men these days, even in our church? Has God given us any instruction in this matter? Has this prophecy come true in our world today?

God designed that there should be a plain distinction between the dress of men and women, and has considered the matter of sufficient importance to give explicit directions in regard to it; for the same dress worn by both sexes would cause confusion and great increase of crime. {CG 427.3}

Who is behind this scheme to do away with the distinction between men's and women's clothing? How has this increasing tendency to lessen the distinction between men and women's clothing contributed to the sin of Sodomy?

Research amply reveals that Satan has used various movements as his tools, to ensnare humans into rebellion against God. Links can be found between spiritualism, feminism, homosexuality, communism, Jungian psychology, and freemasonry. Androgynous fashion is a common denominator between these connections. In other words, Satan is deliberately endeavoring to enlist human rebellion against the order established by God at creation in the roles of males and females. How careful Christians should be to renounce this idolatrous and abominable fashion that blurs the distinction between the sexes!

God warned us about the dangers of androgyny as it reared its ugly head in the mid 1800s so that we would not be taken in the snare. It would be a worthwhile and enlightening study to explore the beginnings of the movements that have shaped our modern degenerate society. Notice what the prophet declared:

I saw that God's order has been reversed, and His special directions disregarded, by those who adopt the American costume. I was referred to Deuteronomy 22:5: "The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God." God would not have His people adopt the so-called reform dress. It is immodest apparel, wholly unfitted for the modest, humble followers of Christ. {1T 421.2}

Those who feel called out to join the movement in favor of woman's rights and the so-called dress reform might as well sever all connection with the third angel's message. The spirit which attends the one cannot be in harmony with the other. The Scriptures are plain upon the relations and rights of men and women. Spiritualists have, to quite an extent, adopted this singular mode of dress. Seventh-day Adventists, who believe in the restoration of the gifts, are often branded as spiritualists. Let them adopt this costume, and their influence is dead. The people would place them on a level with spiritualists and would refuse to listen to them. {1T 421.4}

God's prohibitions are lightly regarded by all who would advocate the doing away of the distinction of dress between males and females. {RH, February 6, 1900 par. 8}

(Please see addendum below).

How should God's people react to the fashion industry? What does God want us to do?

Such madness concerning the changing fashions of the world should call forth an army of reformers who would take their position for simple and plain attire. Satan is ever inventing fashions that can not be followed except through the sacrifice of money, time, and health. {RH, December 12, 1912 par. 5}

It is high time for us to move. God is calling for His people to band together for the purpose of bringing reformation in our dress and appearance. He is calling for an army of reformers, to model simple, plain, modest and pure attire. An army is defined as a large group of people organized for a specific cause. The cause of God is under attack by the enemy of souls, who is busy inventing fashions to demoralize God's church.

The world is ripening for its destruction. God can bear with sinners but a little longer. They must drink the dregs of the cup of his wrath unmixed with mercy. Those who will be heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ to the immortal inheritance, will be peculiar. Yes, so peculiar that God places a mark upon them as his, wholly his. Think ye that God will receive, honor and acknowledge a people so mixed up with the world that they differ from them only in name ? Read again 1 Titus 2:13-15. It is soon to be known who is on the Lord's side, who will not be ashamed of Jesus. Those who have not moral courage to take their position conscientiously in the face of unbelievers, and leave the fashions of the world , and imitate the self-denying life of Christ, are ashamed of him, and do not love his example. {4bSG 77.4}

What is the reaction by God's church as the straight testimony against pride and following the fashions of the world is presented?

Those who have been self-indulgent and ready to yield to pride and fashion and display, will sneer at the conscientious, truth-loving, God-fearing people, and will, in this work sneer at the God of heaven Himself. {1888 485.1}

Ridicule and verbal attacks will be launched against the army of reformers, but because they have a clear understanding of God's will, the scorn will not phase them. They will move forward with the straight testimony against the worldly fashions.

As we bear testimony against pride and following the fashions of the world, we are met with excuses and self-justification. Some urge the example of others{1T 276.2}

We cannot safely follow the example of others, even if constitute the vast majority of church membership. Many of those who have been baptized into church membership were never truly converted.

The test of discipleship is not brought to bear as closely as it should be upon those who present themselves for baptism. It should be understood whether those who profess to be converted are simply taking the name of Seventh-day Adventist, or whether they are taking their stand on the Lord's side, to come out of the world and be separate and touch not the unclean thing. When they give evidence that they fully understand their position, they are to be accepted. But when they show that they are following the customs and fashions and sentiments of the world, they are to be faithfully dealt with. If they feel no burden to change their course of action, they should not be accepted as members of the church. The Lord wants those who compose His church to be true, faithful stewards of the grace of Christ.--TM 128.

We need to make close examination to see on which side we are standing.

If Satan can lull us to sleep at this time, when we have reached the crisis in this earth's history, his end will be gained..Wake up, wake up! Put away your pride, and forsake your non-committal position. Your testing time has come, and you must take sides with Christ or against Him. On which side are you standing--with the world or with Christ?

Let us ponder this inspired prayer, and apply it to our hearts.

My prayer is, O Lord, anoint the eyes of thy people, that they may discern between sin and holiness, between pollution and righteousness, and come off victorious at last. {ST, October 15, 1885 par. 9}

Let us pray: Dear Father in Heaven, I praise Your Holy name. Thank You for calling me to be part of Your chosen people. Thank You for the wall of separation You have established between us and the world. Thank You for the blessed hope, that purifies and sanctifies us, and gives us moral courage to stand independent of the fashions of the world. Help me to recognize my desperate need of Your righteousness and my inability to please You in any way without a vital connection with You. Give me a new heart, filled with wholehearted love and commitment to You. Thank You for Jesus who has gained the victory over all sin in our behalf.

Lord, Help me not to yield one inch, to make no compromise in imitating worldly fashions. Deliver me from pride of appearance and love of dress so that I may be wiling to appear singular, opposite in dress from the world. Help me to make the line of distinction more plain than ever, so there is a marked contrast between me and the world in my appearance. Help me to lift up the moral standard and to guard the barriers of female modesty so that I may be a godly example in dress.

Father, in Your strength, I renounce the fashions and abominations of degenerate society, so that I will not participate in Satan's plan to blur the distinction. Keep my heart pure and consecrated to you so I will seek the inward adorning, and not adorn or decorate my poor mortal body. Enlist me in your army of reformers, that I may experience the final revival and reformation, and be united with the remnant. Keep me humble and dependent on you at all times. Fill me with Your Spirit, that I may receive Your seal of approval, and the outpouring of the latter rain. To You be all the glory and praise forever! In the precious name of Jesus, Amen

Addendum:

The following quotations are just brief excerpts from various articles which help to unmask Satan's plan to blur the distinction between the sexes. Additional research is presented on the website www.RemnantRaiment.com. The following is to give you an idea of the connection between androgyny, homosexuality, spiritualism, feminism, communism and freemasonry.

The theological and scientific assumptions which make acceptable the intentional restructuring of gender were established in contemporary culture by the anthropological assumptions of modern psychology and oriental religion. Jungian psychology, itself influenced by eastern religious thought, was very influential in the founding of modern psychological theory. The operative anthropology of Jungianism was a belief in the androgynous nature of all people - that there are female/feminine and male/masculine characteristics latent within everyone. http://www.scholarscorner.com/didache/Androgyn&POPC.html

The connection between androgyny, homosexuality, or any reconciliation of opposites in the sphere of sexuality has existed in mystical consciousness since ancient times. There has always been a sanctity, a key to the mysteries of the universe, related to these "abominations" in such sacred traditions as the Egyptian, Greek, Cabalistic, Hermetic, and Enochian - proceeding to more "modern" inventions like Surrealism and Thelema [forms of spiritualism]. Perhaps that is why political and religious institutions have always renounced them. http://deathbylollipop.com/forum/index.php?topic=38.0

The Link Between Homosexuality and the Occult - Homosexuality is both Crowley's "Sex Majick" and Satanic defiance to traditional marriage and procreation. It is the worship of pleasure over responsibility. http://beforeitsnews.com/story/48/412/The_Link_Between_Homosexuality_and_the_Occult.html

Thus do the Radical Feminists say that gender is the source of all forms of oppression of women; gender structures how men and women dress, eat, work, have sex and view themselves. If the problem is gender, then gender must be eliminated. Feminism's goal must be androgyny.[2] Thus, The Feminists, an influential New York-based Radical Feminist group, states: "The sex roles themselves must be destroyed. If any part of these role definitions is left, the disease of oppression remains and will reassert itself again in new, or the same old, variations throughout society."[3] http://www.fnsa.org/v1n4/maloney.html

Behind radical feminism, same-sex marriage, the androgyny theme, gay pride, and the overall pattern of degeneration at all levels of society throughout America and the West lies a revamped international Communist revolution. http://herrickreport.com/newsovietunion.html

The esoteric all-male group known as Freemasonry (or Masonry) has been controversial for many years, and has been connected to  homosexuality by a number of researchers. http://www.savethemales.ca/_left_albert_pike_1809-1891by.html

Wearing a female pants suit - a power suit if you will - is an imitation of male power clothing. Now there are definitely variations of women's pants suits that make them look more feminine, but it is still a woman's suit imitating a man's suit. It could also be argued that women's right to wear pants is something worth fighting for since it wasn't until the early 90s when women were allowed to wear pants on the senate floor. But I would argue that this is precisely the kind of change that made women feel the only kind of equality, is the androgynous kind. http://statementsoffashion.wordpress.com/2008/09/19/well-suited-skirts-pants-and-feminism/