Is it wrong to wear ornaments?

Is it wrong to wear ornaments, and other outward adornments, for a Christian. 

Pharisee: In this modern world, Christians have lost the zeal they once had. Previously, Christians used to avoid wearing ornaments, makeup, and other things that do not bring glory to God. However, today, they are all pursuing these things.

Sadducee: What’s wrong with that? God sees the heart, not the outward appearance. Why does it bother you?

Pharisee: Sad, u, cee, we have a long and proud tradition. Our ancestors considered all these things as rubbish, so why should we now revert back to them? 

Sadducee: Jesus came and destroyed all such traditions of yours, yet you haven’t learned anything from Him. Weren’t you the ones who questioned His disciples for not washing their hands before eating? Oh, self-proclaimed saint, listen to what He says: “Nothing outside a man can make him unclean by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him unclean.”

Pharisee: But the people of this world don’t see our hearts, they see our outward appearance, right? Hence, we should be an example to them on how to serve God. We should have an identity that differentiates us from them and this world. How can a person with tattoos and lots of jewelry be the image of God? God created man in His own image, and now this man is violating that image.

Sadducee: This body is meant to decay, right? Hence, it won’t be a permanent mark. God cares about our soul, not our body. How can you say that fashionable people are not in the image of God?

Pharisee: Do you know how Revelation portrays Satan and God’s bride? “Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean was given to her” (Revelation 19:7). That’s how the Bride of Christ is portrayed, bright and clean with no extra adornments. On the other hand, “the woman was dressed in purple and scarlet and was glittering with gold, precious stones, and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries” (Revelation 17:4). That’s how Satan’s accomplice is portrayed. Now you choose whose bride you want to be.

Sadducee: These are just portrayals; it doesn’t mean that wearing jewelry and other adornments is a sin. Even Sarah, Rebekah, and others wore such jewelry. Genesis 24:22, when the camels finished drinking, the man took out a gold nose ring weighing a beka and two gold bracelets weighing ten shekels.

Pharisee: Yes, those jewelry items became a stumbling block for Israel. They used them to make a golden calf. That’s why God told them not to wear them anymore. “For the Lord had said to Moses, ‘Tell the Israelites, “You are a stiff-necked people. If I were to go with you even for a moment, I might destroy you. Now take off your ornaments and I will decide what to do with you”‘” (Exodus 32:5).

Sadducee: Talking about stumbling blocks! People like you burden the newcomers and gentiles by asking them to remove their ornaments. This is similar to the issue of circumcising the gentiles. “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God” (Acts 15:19). Also in Romans 14:13, “Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way.”

Pharisee: It’s not a stumbling block; rather, it’s a sign of righteousness. Moreover, Jesus Himself testifies about us in Matthew 5:20: “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the Kingdom of heaven.” We are the only righteous ones, so what we say is correct.

Wise man: This debate will keep on going, but the decision is yours to make. Don’t make the decision to remove your ornaments out of fear of the church or elders, but out of respect for God. What’s the use of removing them if you haven’t removed them from your heart?

Just ask yourself, if God asks you to remove all ornaments and things, would you hesitate?

If the answer is ‘Yes,’ then you need to grow more in the love of God and try to remove them from your life so that your focus is on God. If the answer is ‘No,’ then there’s nothing to think about.