Can women wear make-up and jewelry?

Recently, a lady described how she was taught that it is a sin for women to wear make-up or jewelry. She wanted to know if this is what the Bible teaches. There are two main passages of scripture in the New Testament that are used:

“In like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works,” (I Tim. 2:9-10).

“Do not let your beauty be that outward adorning of arranging the hair, of wearing gold, or of putting on fine apparel; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God,” (I Pet. 3:3-4).

It is vital that we see what these inspired words are saying and are not saying. Notice that women are being admonished to reveal their godliness by adorning themselves with modest apparel and a quiet and gentle spirit. In other words, they should be known for their inward beauty rather than an external, outward show.

We must note that the wearing of gold and braided hair was not forbidden. Women were forbidden from wearing those things for show, as if that external display is true beauty. Does that mean that women can wear anything then? If you read carefully, you will see that immodest dress is sinful, just like anything else that is for show. Words like discretion and tastefulness come to mind.

To help with this, let us consider the book of Song of Solomon. This inspired message speaks of the love between a husband and wife. In chapter one and verse ten it says, “Your cheeks are lovely with ornaments, your neck with chains of gold.”  In chapter four verses nine and ten it reads, “You have ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse; you have ravished my heart with one look of your eyes, with one link of your necklace. How fair is your love, my sister, my spouse! How much better than wine is your love, and the scent of your perfumes than all spices.”

Even though the above passages were under the Old Law, the principles are still valid today. There is no immodest apparel between you and your husband. Also note that wives wore jewelry, but that jewelry was not their inward beauty. Are we to think that the Lord does not want women to have their hair done or brush their teeth? Is our Lord against good hygiene? Is it wrong to buy nice clothing? The answer to all of these questions is no.

There is danger in taking verses on godly behavior to an extreme. God’s word already describes inappropriate attire - that of a harlot (Prov. 7:10). This attire is used to draw attention via seductive, over-the-top means. Rather than taking verses on how we should dress too far, we should simply recognize what God has said about how to dress and also how not to dress.

Men and women need to consider what message they are sending when they dress. So much of the Christian life is having a proper attitude. Jesus taught that those who have a clean inside will reflect this on the outside (Matt. 23:26). Our God is not interested in anyone putting on a front. Those who put on an external show are revealing what is in their hearts as well.

 Chuck