P. E. A. R. L.S

On the Heavenly Highway to Purity:

As I was preparing to write the Christian’s rules for dating I was reminded of the verse in Proverbs 31:10, which says: “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her worth is far above rubies.” And then I thought many of us more resemble a pearl; which starts it’s existence as a grain of sand that has gotten inside an oyster and irritated it’s lining causing it to coat that grain with layer upon layer of pearl-essence to create a rare stone of great beauty and much monetary value. We, too, have caused many people to be irritated. But in other ways we are more like an onion and God is constantly peeling away our many smelly layers of sin and impurities. And so I came up with an acronym for us who are traveling this road toward purity. We are P. E. A. R. L.’s: Pure and Exciting, but Always a Real Lady. And as such we are traveling the Heavenly Highway to Purity in Jesus.
As PEARL’s we need to behave (think, act and dress) very differently than women of the world would when we are seeking to meet and marry the man God has created us to be “an helpmeet” for. So this article is an outline for us to follow while we are searching for that special someone; later I will share some basic rules to go with this outline.

1. MODESTY: As PEARL’s we need to be modest in our language and actions, but most importantly in the way that we dress. The reasons for this are very clear and spelled out for us in God’s word. I Timothy 2:9-10 says: “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls or costly array; But (which becometh women professing Godliness) with good works.” God wasn’t telling ladies not to dress nicely. No this command is more pointed; He is telling Godly ladies NOT to dress provocatively. Not to wear their skirts and slacks so tight or short as to leave little or nothing to a man’s imagination. And not to wear our blouses so low as to expose our cleavage for them to drool over. And this with very good reason. It is because when we dress as women of the world dress we are inviting men, and more importantly our Christian brothers to participate in the sin of adultery with their eyes. But more than that, our invitation to men into this sin makes us a participant with them in that sin. We can see this participation in Matthew 5:27-28: “Ye have heard it said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: but I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” (italics/underlining added for emphisis) These are strong words, but very true. As Godly ladies we are to treat every man – even single men, and most especially our Christian brothers, as though they are some other woman’s husband – for in essence they really are. We don’t want the women that work with our husband to flaunt their bodies in front of him, so why would we behave like this in front of another woman’s husband?
A man may look after a woman who is dressed provocatively in lust for a moment. He may even comment to his buddies that he “would like to have some of that,” as she walks by. But she is not the lady he would choose to “bring home to Mama!” She is not the one chosen for a lifetime helpmeet. A lady who dresses modestly leaves men guessing as to what she is all about. She is one of life’s mysteries that he must discover the meaning of. Let me give you an example we all can relate to. During the Christmas season we have ample opportunity to watch children in the stores telling their parents I want this toy or that game. But when Christmas finally comes and the presents are set out under the tree there is great anticipation, as they must wait to unwrap them.
I have seen my own children look under the tree at their gifts. And there were a few times that a gift or two was too large or strangely shaped to be wrapped. So they were there with the others, but unwrapped. Every single time this happened my children were the most interested in the gifts they had to unwrap than in those which were “undressed,” so to speak. There was no challenge, nothing to dream for, nothing to long after when the gift was not wrapped in pretty paper and ribbons and bows . . . It is the same with a woman who dresses provocatively, she has left nothing a mystery for men to wonder after.

2. ATTITUDE: As PEARL’s we must exude a Godly air of confidence. This confidence must pour forth from every inch of your being. It will be in your smile, not just on your lips, but also in the smiling sparkle of your eyes. It’s in the way you give a slight pause between sentences during a conversation. You never babble on out of your nervousness. It’s in the way you listen very attentively when someone speaks. It’s also in the way you breathe, slow and sure of yourself. It’s in your posture – you should always sit and stand straight and tall. It’s in your every step, walking briskly with your head high and your shoulders back but with an air of purity and God’s Holy Spirit as your grounding force.
Your past relationships and other failures are insignificant, so leave them at home in your closet. Remember, you are a PEARL! Don’t beg or act desperate. Only date men who want to be with you. Trust God and His abundant goodness and He will provide you the perfect man for your helpmeet in His perfect time. Don’t chase anyone and don’t settle.
Our attitude should not be haughty (Dictionary.com definition: disdainfully proud; snobbish; scornfully arrogant; supercilious) for the reasons listed in Proverbs 16:18, which says: “Pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Our attitude should be overflowing with the Fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-26; or even as Paul states in Philippians 4:8 which reads: “Finally my brethren, (or sisters), whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” The things we think on are what will be revealed by our attitude; and as PEARL’s we want to show forth the attitudes of Jesus at all times; and to think on the things listed in this verse will allow us to show forth His attitudes.