Don't Forget Your Jewelry! ~ Elizabeth Eaton

When getting dressed, we often remind ourselves, “Don’t forget your jewelry!” Don’t you just love it when you are able to pair just the right accessories with an outfit? Jewelry and accessories have the ability to pull everything together, making an outfit go from everyday to elegant, from merely basic to beautifully complete. The Bible refers to jewelry or jewels using the word “ornaments.” According to Webster 1828 Dictionary, ornaments are “that which embellishes; something which, added to another thing, renders it more beautiful to the eye.” When the Bible speaks of the putting on of our clothing and ornaments (jewelry), the word often used is “adorn” or “adorning” which also has the meaning of “adding beauty by dress or external ornaments; to embellish; to set off to advantage” or “to make more pleasing.” While we should certainly strive to be attractive, appropriate, and modest outwardly, the majority of our time and focus should be on the adorning of our inner lady. 1 Peter 3:3-4 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning…but let it be the hidden man of the heart. So, how do we adorn, or embellish, our hidden man (lady) of the heart? What ornaments, or jewelry, should we add to make her more beautiful and pleasing to the eye–especially God’s eye? The Bible has some specific answers! 1. The Graceful and Glorious Crown of Wisdom Proverbs 4:7-9 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. Wisdom is “the right use or exercise of knowledge” (Webster 1828). These verses tell us that wisdom is the principle thing–the first thing, the best thing, the most important thing! How do we get wisdom and acquire this crown? *Prov 9:10a The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: We must recognize and reverence Who the Lord is. We often mistakenly think we know it all. He DOES know it all! He has ALL knowledge, ALL power, ALL might, ALL strength. He is ALL in ALL– I AM that I AM. He lacks nothing! *Prov 9:10b And the knowledge of the holy is understanding. We gain knowledge by studying His Word. Get to know God, who He is and what He says. *James 1:5-7 says that if we ask God for wisdom, He will give it to us. However, we can't say, “OK, Lord, You tell me what You say I should do, and I’ll decide if I agree.” “Let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord.” When we ask for wisdom, we must be ready to obey, and not waver. Let’s adorn ourselves with this Graceful and Glorious Crown of Wisdom. 2. Chains (Necklaces) Prov 1:8-9 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck. These chains about your neck are not heavy chain links of bondage, but beautiful necklaces! How do we adorn ourselves with them? For children, we know that Ephesians 6:1-2 says to obey and honor your parents. As adults, we still must “forsake not” what they have taught. “If sinners entice thee, consent thou not” Prov 1:10. Whether your parents are biological, adoptive, or even spiritual, if you have been blessed with godly influences in your life, do not stray from the Biblical instruction and principles that they have taught you. What is your preference of necklace--jewels, strands of pearls, gold, silver? Add as many strands as you can as you hear and honour your godly heritage. 3. Golden Earrings Prov 25:12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear. What’s your favorite style of earrings? I love big dangly ones! How can we put them on? *Be a Wise Reprover Before we open our mouths to give instruction, correction, or reproof, we need to make sure we have some things correct. (Prov 25:11) a) Correct Topic (Prov 18:13) A wise reprover makes sure to have all of the information or know the full situation before giving instruction or reproof. Listen well before you speak. Hear both sides of the story. Make sure you have some knowledge and experience about which you speak. It is wiser to be quiet than to talk about what you know very little. b) Correct Timing (Prov 15:23) A wise reprover finds the appropriate time and place to give the needed reproof. Simply having a Scriptural truth that someone needs to hear does not mean that now is the right time to say it. We must wait for them to have an obedient ear (Prov 9:8). A wise reprover considers whether the heart is ready to receive correction so that it is not rejected. c) Correct Tone (Col 4:6, 2 Tim 2:24-25) A wise reprover uses appropriate words and tone of voice–not harsh, critical, prideful, or angry. Conviction brought by correction may at times sting, but our words themselves should not. They should be delivered with grace and meekness. Truth can be powerful, but wisdom and the guidance of the Holy Spirit determine the correct time and tone in which it should be given. *Have an Obedient Ear (Prov 9:9) We should always have our ears tuned to hear and heed instruction. Even when our reprover is not wise–speaking at the wrong time or in the wrong tone–do not take offense or reject the truth that is given. Love instruction. Humbly accept it. Increase in wisdom. How beautiful it is when the combination of a wise reprover and an obedient hearer come together at the same time! But in whichever role we find ourselves, let us be humbly submitted to the Holy Spirit that we may be adorned with golden earrings. 4. The Ornament of Great Price 1 Peter 3:3-4 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. We are not told what specific piece of jewelry this is, just that it is very valuable in God’s sight. This ornament is even more valuable and beautiful than the largest, clearest, most brilliant and flawless diamond. Diamonds can be destroyed, but this ornament is not corruptible. It is the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit. *Meek According to Strong’s Concordance, a meek spirit is that disposition of spirit in which we accept His dealing with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting. In trials and difficulties, through hurts and injuries, we know that God has permitted each circumstance and event and will use them for good in our lives (Rom 8:28). He is sovereign. He is good. He is love. When we are meek, we focus on Him, not ourselves. There is no self-pity, anger, pouting, arguing, or complaining. Without these tempests of emotions, there is only acceptance and complete trust in God’s plan and care and spirit can become… *Quiet This is to be tranquil, undisturbed, and peaceable. In the middle of life’s stormy circumstances, our spirit will be still (Is 26:3, Phil 4:7). Just as a proud and loud spirit affects our homes and relationships (Prov 21:9, 19; 27:15), so does a meek and quiet spirit (1 Peter 3:5-6). Let us do our best to ensure that we are adorned with this most beautiful and priceless of ornaments. We may spend time choosing the right accessories to complete our outward appearance, but God calls us to something far more valuable—the adorning of the heart. A crown of wisdom, necklaces of godly instruction, earrings that receive and give wise correction, and the priceless ornament of a meek and quiet spirit create a beauty that no earthly jewel can match. Let us strive daily to not forget to add these ornaments to our clean and pure garment of salvation and be beautifully adorned in God’s sight!