Eastgate University
Holiness Continued
Principles of Holiness
Holiness is rooted in guidance from three essential sources. First, the Bible serves as the supreme authority, offering explicit teachings and principles that guide believers on how to live a life pleasing to God. Every holiness standard must be based on specific Biblical statements or valid applications of Biblical principles. Second, spiritual leadership within the church plays a critical role in helping believers apply these Biblical principles to contemporary situations (Ephesians 4:11-16). Lastly, the Holy Spirit teaches directly through internal promptings and personal convictions (John 14:26, 16:13). While these three teachers complement one another, the Bible remains the final authority, ensuring that neither human teachings nor the Spirit contradicts Scripture.
Holiness teachings are divided into three types of standards. Bible standards are explicit commands that require immediate obedience. Church standards represent the practical applications of Scripture that believers gradually implement as they mature in faith. Personal standards are unique to each individual and are prompted by the Holy Spirit, reflecting the distinct circumstances of each believer. While holiness standards are visible signs of a believer’s transformation, true holiness begins internally, shaped by the work of God’s Spirit.
Holiness for Women and Men
Holiness teachings recognize gender-specific tendencies, as reflected in 1 Timothy 2:8-10. Men face challenges in areas such as appetite, anger, and apathy, while women are primarily concerned with adornment, apparel, and attitude.
For women, adornment should reflect modesty rather than elaborate decoration. Apostolic teachings, as seen in both Paul and Peter’s writings, emphasize that women’s external appearance should not be marked by excessive ornamentation, such as elaborate hairstyles, jewelry, or costly apparel (1 Peter 3:3-5). The Bible often associates excessive adornment with idolatry, vanity, and pride, encouraging women to focus on their inner spirit rather than outward beauty (Genesis 35:2-4, Exodus 33:4-6).
When it comes to apparel, modest dress is essential, with clothing providing sufficient coverage in a way that glorifies God. Modesty, according to Biblical standards, requires that Christians dress not to please themselves or others but to honor God. This means conforming to God’s opinion of modesty rather than personal or societal preferences (Deuteronomy 22:5, Genesis 3:21). Clothing reflects a person’s inner values, and outward modesty should align with the internal transformation God expects from His followers.
Attitude plays a significant role in holiness, especially for women. The Bible teaches that a submissive heart is demonstrated outwardly through modest behavior, such as a godly woman keeping her hair uncut as a sign of her submission to God’s order (1 Corinthians 11:5-6, 15). The uncut hair serves as a symbol of authority and reflects a woman’s acceptance of her God-given role, bringing her in alignment with divine order.
Apostolic Admonitions on Gender and Apparel
Throughout Biblical history, there has been a clear distinction between men’s and women’s clothing, reflecting God’s established order. In ancient times, men wore breeches while women did not, as clothing that separates the legs was reserved for men (Exodus 28:42). This distinction upheld modesty and reflected God’s design for gender roles. In modern times, this separation has been blurred, particularly with the introduction of pants for women. However, Scripture views the blending of gender distinctions in clothing as an abomination (Deuteronomy 22:5). The Bible emphasizes the importance of maintaining clear gender differences in both appearance and behavior, as this aligns with God’s created order and reflects holiness.
Conclusion
Holiness is more than just an external standard—it is a reflection of an internal transformation, aligning one’s life with Biblical principles. The Bible offers distinct standards for men and women, emphasizing modesty, submission, and the need for outward actions to mirror the internal work of God’s Spirit. Living a life of holiness requires both inner submission and external demonstration of that transformation, as reflected in a believer’s choices in adornment, apparel, and attitude.