The first section of this chapter will attempt to answer the first part of the question - should a Christian Woman make-up?

Make-up is any form of paintings applied to any part of the face or the lip with the intention of looking more attractive. A large number of the Christian communities are opposed to make-up asserting it’s the Spirit of Jezebel. In other word those who make-up are seen as immoral and wicked persons. Is make-up really the Spirit of Jezebel? Is God opposed to make-up or beauty in general? We will now examine each of these questions under the searchlight of God’s Word.

IS MAKE-UP THE SPIRIT OF JEZEBEL?

“And it came to pass as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboan the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel, the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal and worshiped him. And He reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria (1 Kings 16:31-32).

“But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord whom JEZEBEL HIS WIFE STIRRED UP. And he did very abominably in following idols according to all things as did the Amorite, whom the Lord cast out before the children of Israel” ( 1 Kings 21:25-26).

From these scripture references, what can we deduce is the spirit of Jezebel? FIRST, IT IS THE SPIRIT OF IDOLATRY. She turned the turned the heart of Ahab, her husband, then King of Israel away from God to worship and serve Baal.

Second, all the evil works Ahab did, it was Jezebel that stirred him up. In other words, SHE WAS MANIPULATIVE. THIS IS THE SPIRIT OF WITCHCRAFT. All these character traits had nothing to do with make-up. JEZEBEL WAS ALSO A MURDERER. “For it was so when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord......” (1 Kings 18:14).

Jehu, who later became the King of Israel, who also was responsible for the execution of King Joran, the son of Ahab, summarized Jezebel’s character as thus;
“..And he (Jehu) answered, what peace, so long as the whoredom of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcraft are many?”(2 Kings 9:22).

The New Living Translation puts it this way. “How can there be peace as long as the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel are all around us?” No mention was made of any form of make-ups as an act that made Jezebel gained her popularity. She was simply noted for her idolatrous and witchcraft acts.
The only reference in the Bible that directly referred to her make-up is in 2 Kings 9:30-33.

“And when Jehu was come to Jezreal, Jezebel heard of it and she painted her face, and tied her head and looked out at the window”

This incidence of her make-up has nothing to do with all her evil works which she did with King Ahab. She probably wanted to look nice in other to appease Jehu instead of incurring his wrath. Her expectation was however cut short when Jehu commanded she should be thrown down from the window, resulting in her death (2 King 9:33).

Whenever any name is mentioned, the first thing that comes to mind is what gave that name the kind of publicity accorded to it. When you think of Brazil for instance, the first thing that comes to the mind is the exploit they’ve made in the field of football. In the same way, when the name Jezebel is mentioned, what comes to our minds? Is it her make-up which was mentioned only once in all of her historical accounts? Certainly not. Jezebel was noted for her harlotry, witchcraft and murderous acts. This is the Spirit of Jezebel and has nothing to do with her make-up.
There are so many women professing to be Christians that do make-up and they are neither harlots nor witches. There are also quite a few women who though do not make-up but are full of all manner of evil works. The tendency to do evil has more to do with the state of your heart than with your external adornments or beautification. “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murder, adulteries, fornication, thefts, false witness and blasphemies” (Matt. 15:19).
We all know that it’s a common practice by most ungodly women to use make-ups as a means of seducing men. This doesn’t make the act evil in itself. Money is also used as an evil tool by ungodly people. Does it make money evil? The answer is emphatically no. The Bible never said that money is evil but that the love of money is the root of all evil

No woman professing to be a Christian will make-up with a purposeful intention to seduce men. If anyone does that, we’ll have a reason to question your salvation. The Bible only cautions women not to go to excess in matter of outward adornment (1 Tim 2:9-10, 1 Pet 3:3-5).

One more reference we’ll look at where Jezebel was mentioned is in the New Testament, in the book of Revelation;

“Notwithstanding, I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman, Jezebel which calleth herself a prophetess to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed unto idols” (Rev. 2:20).

The character traits of this prophetess, also known as Jezebel was not different from that of the Old Testament - immoral and idolatrous in nature. No reference was made to any form of make-up. The phrase ‘to seduce my servants to commit fornication’ might be taken for granted that it has to do with make-up since that is what most women use to seduce men. As mentioned earlier, make-up can be used as a tool to seduce men but in the context it is used in the scripture quoted above, the word seduce has nothing to do with make-up. Jezebel was a Prophetess and a teacher. A few great men and women of God have deceived (seduced) God’s children by wrong teachings. It is in this context that the word seduce is used in the scripture under analysis. Through her teachings, she deceived her audience that fornication was permissible. This was what Paul warned the church of in 1 Tim 4:1,
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly that in the later times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to SEDUCING SPIRITS AND DOCTRINES of the devils”.
It’s almost the same way that Rev. 2:20 puts it, “......to teach and to seduce my servants.....”. Notice it didn’t say Jezebel made-up and seduced but that she taught and seduced God’s servants. From the analysis of all the references that has to do with Jezebel in the Bible, we can vividly see that make-up is not the Spirit of Jezebel.

To be continued.

2. IS GOD OPPOSED TO MAKE-UP OR BEAUTY IN GENERAL?
In the preceding section, we have been able to establish that make-up is not the Spirit of Jezebel but some Christians notwithstanding says it’s still not right for godly women to make-up. We’ll take a survey through the scripture and determine if God is opposed to make-ups and beauty in general.

THE CREATION STORY
When God made Adam, he placed him in the Garden of Eden. Eden connotes not only surplus, but also beauty. The Bible remarked that God was all that he made that it was very good (Gen. 1:31). God loves and does things that look good enough to get our attention. The lilies of the valley was so clothed that our Lord Jesus remarked that even Solomon in all of his glory was not arrayed like one of them (Matt. 6:28-29).

GODLY WOMEN THAT WERE COMMENDED FOR THEIR BEAUTIES.

Sarah
“And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, behold now, I know that art a fair (beautiful) woman to look upon....And it came to pass, that when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair (beautiful). (Gen. 12:11-14).
Sarah was a godly woman and the Bible remarked that she was very beautiful even though no mention was made of any form of make-up. However, it will not be an overstatement to presume she had a little make-up on of to get the attention of a heathen King - Pharaoh of Egypt.


Rebekah
“And the damsel (Rebekah) was very fair (beautiful) to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her.....”(Gen. 24:15 ).
Job’s Daughters
“And in all the land were no women found as fair (beautiful) as the daughter of Job....” as fair (beautiful) as the daughter of Job....” (Job 42:15).
These passages at least confirms that God wants us to look our best not like some believers that are misrepresenting God by their shabby outlook.

GOD IS A BEAUTICIAN

Under listed are examples of peoples that God Himself decorated and those who decorated themselves by God’s instruction.

1. LUCIFER
“Thou has been in Eden, the garden of God, every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emarrald and the carbuncle, and gold....... (Ezk. 28:13).
It’s amazing the kind and number of precious stone that God used to decorate Lucifer before her fall. GOD MUST BE GLAMOROUS!

Lucifer was beautiful enough without those ornament but God still went ahead to enhance her beauty. Enhancing your natural beauty with make-up is not therefore an irresponsible act. If it is, then God too is irresponsible. Lucifer was lifted with pride because of her beauty and rebelled against God (Ezk. 28:17). In spite of this incidence, God still loves beauty; He still loves his children to look glamorous. The next example will confirm this assertion.

THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL

“But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver and jewels of gold and rainment, and ye shall put them upon your sons and upon your daughters, and ye shall spoil the Egyptians” (Ex. 3:22).

Notice the phrase, “and ye shall put them upon your daughters”. This incidence took place long after Lucifer fell. Though no mention was made of any form of make-up but I think that if God could permit them to put on such an expensive ornament, making-up should not be seen as a grievous crime. The watchword as in every other areas of our Christian life is moderation. The next example will confirm that the Jews were not unfamiliar with make-up.


THE PROPHESY ON JUDAH

“And when thou art spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornament of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shall thou make thyself fair(beautiful). Thy lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life”(Jer. 4:30).
This passage is revealing about the possible dress culture of the Jews. It progresses from the clothing to the ornament of gold and then culminates with the make-up. The passage also affirms that these things beautifies. The prophesy is not condemning make-up. If it did, then it also condemned clothing for it said, “though thou clothest thyself with crimson”. What the prophesy is addressing is that all forms of outward decoration will not turn away God’s wrath from Judah. Propitiation for sin committed is only through repentance and blood sacrifice.
From this passage, my earlier assertion that Sarah and Rebekah may have had some kind of makeup was not an overstatement.

THE GARMENT OF PRIESTS

“And thou shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and beauty. And thou shalt embroider the coat of fine linen, and thou shalt make the mitre of fine linen, and thou shall make the girdle of needle work. And for Aaron’s sons thou shalt make coats, and thou shalt make for them girdles, and bonnets shalt thou make for them, for glory and for beauty. (Ex. 28:2, 39, 40).
The phrase, “for glory and for beauty” is indicative of God’s passion for beauty. And this is in connection with the HOLY GARMENTS. There are those who think that holiness and shabbiness are supposed to be couples. Most Christians are misrepresenting God’s Kingdom by their shabby outfits. We are the Kings kids, so let’s dress with that consciousness- with outfits that befits our status.
Christian Women who make-up are therefore not walking out of the will of God. They are only following the footsteps of our Father-God who Himself has been practically involved in decorating His chosen ones. Those who are afraid of make-ups or looking very nice will probably faint when they get to heaven. I’m sure it will take a couple of weeks if not months to adjust their mind set and appreciate God for His concept of beauty.

The Bible however warns in going to extreme in whatever we allow. Your make-up shouldn’t go to the extent that even your friends may find it difficult to recognize you.

To be continued.

SHOULD SHE PUT ON JEWELRY?

This question has been answered to some extent in the previous section but I’ll attempt to address some claims by critics whose judgment are usually based on opinions and manmade doctrines rather than on scriptures.
The claims are;
i) Putting on Gold Ornaments or Any Form of Jewelry Is Idolatrous.
ii) Putting on Gold Is Worldliness.
We will take each of these claims and examine them under the searchlight of God’s Word.

Putting On Gold Ornaments Or Any Form Of Jewelry Is Idolatrous!

The passage often referred to by these critics to buttress their point is Exodus 32:1-6 which reads,
“And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me. And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron. And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, Tomorrow is a feast to the LORD. And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play”.

It is not a sane argument to forbid women from putting on gold earrings or jewelry of any kind because the Jews gave up theirs for the golden calf. Does this make gold itself an evil substance and prohibits its further use? If for instance money was given to build a shrine, does it make money in itself an evil substance and discourage its further use. The Bible never said that money is evil as some people erroneously assert. It is the love of money that is the root of all evil (1 Tim. 6:10)

If gold is itself an evil substance, while did King Solomon use it to build the very Temple of God? Afterall, the building of the Temple took place long after the incidence of the golden calf. God Himself decorated the streets of the New Jerusalem with pure gold (Rev. 21:21).The entire city itself is pure gold (Rev. 21:18). I am sure that some of these religious folks would even say that God has backslidden.

The fact that the Jews were later asked to strip themselves of these ornaments is not enough reason to forbid its use. According to Ex. 33:5, they were called ‘a stiffnecked people’. In other words, they are likely to repeat the same mistake over again at the least opportunity. So God was helping them by asking them to strip off the ornament. But we are not like them. We are new creation having the very nature of God. Those who forbid the wearing of these ornaments because the Jews were asked to put them off are making a negative confession that they are hopeless sinners and lawbreakers like the Jews.
Some Christian Women don’t mind putting on the necklaces and bracelets but not the earrings. They do this for the simple reason that is was the earrings that were used for the golden calf and not the necklaces or bracelets. This is what I call self imposed religion. If putting on the earrings became an evil act and not the necklaces or bracelets, why were they asked to completely strip themselves of all forms of ornaments? - Ex. 33:6. If you condemn those putting on earrings, then you that is putting on necklaces and forbids the earrings is also condemning yourself for the judgment came upon all forms of ornaments and not just the earrings.

The New Testament Saint in any case is not bound by any of the rules contained in the Law of Moses. “And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.” (Phil. 3:9).

Weymouth’s New Testament Translation puts it this way, “…not having a righteousness of my own, derived from the Law, but that which arises from faith in Christ--the righteousness which comes from God through faith.” So stop deriving your righteousness from the law for no man is made righteous trying to keep the Law of Moses (Gal. 2:16).

Furthermore, if you are afraid of putting on jewelry, what will your reaction be when you get to heaven and tread on the very thing that you forbid to put on while on earth? You’ll probably embarrass the Angels in heaven if they notice you’re not comfortable walking on gold.

God said, “the gold is mine and the silver is mine.” (Hag. 2:. And we are heirs of His Kingdom and joint heir with Christ (Rom 8:17). Any Christian Woman putting on gold is only taking advantage of what belongs to her and God is glorified in it.
The revelation of John that Jesus showed him revealed Jesus as putting on a garment with a GOLDEN BELT and not a leather belt that many of us are so proud of putting on (Rev.1:13). The lamp stand was also golden. The incense burner was not left out of the list of items made of gold (Rev. 8:3). Even the reed used to measure the New Jerusalem was golden (Rev. 21:15). God goes for the best. Jesus died so we can have the best out of life. It is not however a do or die affair. If you can’t afford these costly ornaments yet, put on what you have. “...godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Tim. 6:6).

Putting On Gold Ornaments Or Any Form Of Jewelry Is Worldliness!

Quite a few Christians often correlate worldliness with material wealth. If this is true, then God Himself must be the greatest promoter of worldliness. He made Abraham rich in silver and gold (Gen. 13:2). Isaac was also empowered materially (Gen. 26:12-14). Job’s wealth was duplicated by God after his trial (Job 42:10-12).

What then does worldliness connotes? It has to do with the state of a mind that is not renewed and the negative indulgences of the flesh;

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”(Rom. 12:2).

When you think the way the people of the world thinks, you are worldly. When you also indulge yourself in their evil ways, you are manifesting worldliness. “For all that is in the world is the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life” (1 John 2:15). Matt. 5:28 added, “...that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart”. So, worldliness has its root in our thought life. Attitudes such as envy, strife, hatred, etc are all indicators of worldliness and not the putting on of outward decorative ornaments.
Our salvation is worked from the inside out and not the reverse. A lot of ministers have reduced the gospel to external ‘rituals’;

“Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, {rudiments: or, elements} (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using after the commandments and doctrines of men? (Col. 2:20-22). “It is the Spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profited nothing” (John 6:63). “Are ye so foolish, having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? (Gal. 3:3). All these scripture addresses the same issue.

The strict regulations many denomination impose on their members with respect to outward appearance can never justify them before God who looks to the heart (1 Sam 16:9).

A lot of single sisters have remained single because of their adherents to these strict regulations. A little effort on their part to look good will save them months of fasting and praying for husbands. Fasting and praying of course is scriptural but you should also make effort to look your best. If you do not like beauty, then wear sack clothes and live in mud houses. It will at least clothe and shelter you respectively. Don’t make yourself a misfit for God’s Kingdom. Shabbiness does not glorify God. Look good and put on decorative ornaments if you can afford them. You don’t have to get to heaven before you begin to enjoy your inheritance. The Godlife we have received have accruable benefits in this world and in the world to come (1Tim 4:7). Our salvation is by grace through faith, not of our good works lest any man should boast. (Eph. 2:8-9).

This is an excerpt from my ebook, The Woman Question,

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ABOUT THE BOOK

This timely book addresses the following questions;
Should Christian Women put on trousers even to church?

Should they pray with their head uncovered?

Should they make up or put on jewelry?

Should they fix their hair or wear attachment of any kind?

Are they permitted to preach or teach in Church?

Are they subject to men in general?

Should they obey their husband in all things?

As much as it is imperative for all women professing to be Christians to dress decently, does this act of decency has to do with a particular style of dress? Is there any prescribed Biblical manner Christian Women should dress? Diverse belief on this subject is a major cause of disunity in the body of Christ today. Can the church be brought to a unity of faith on this subject? The answer is yes because the ultimate goal of the role of ministry is, “….For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: (Ephesians 4:12-13)

What about the issue of head covering, make-up and the putting on of jewelry? This book will guide you through critical scriptural analysis of all these questions.

The argument presented in this book is substantiated by about 300 scripture references and it is therefore not the author’s personal opinion but an exposition of divine revelation.

The book is divided into two parts, Part One and Part Two. Part one exclusively deals with the issue of trousers while part two is devoted to the other questions highlighted above.