BIBLE HEALTH SERIES

DRESSING FOR HEALTH -- NOT FOR SHOW!

"And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.  And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons." Gen. 3:6,7 

In the bliss of Paradise, neither Adam nor Eva knew that they were naked. They need not be ashamed of their nakedness for they were innocent as a little child that has not yet learned that there is such a thing as shame. Shame is the result of sin, which is transgression of God's Moral Law - 1 John 3:4 says: "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law."

 Our first parents lived long and happy in the Garden of Eden without any thought of their free and happy state of being. They were created to know only good and pleasantness.  Not evil, disease and unhappiness. 

Upon partaking of the forbidden fruit - fruit from the tree of good and evil, they lost their innocence and became aware of their sinful condition. They realized that they were naked and had to do something about it. Transgression of God's Law always brings guilt, shame and regrets.

The FIG LEAVES APRON

When the Lord God called them, they hid themselves and said they were afraid, because they were naked (Genesis 3:8-10). When further questioned:  "Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?" (Genesis 3:11). They resorted to blaming one another for their sins.

Being aware of their condition and ashamed of their nakedness, they had to do something about it. Instead of acknowledging their fallen condition of sin, they sought to cover it up and blame others for their disobedience (Genesis 3:11-13). How often this has been done, it is impossible to count them all. Every one of us has done the same at one time or another. We are all sinners and in need of redemption. The same scripture says: " And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.  Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.  Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.  He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.  Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." 1 John 3:5-9

The making of fig leaves apron - covering up sin, excusing it or blaming others for our own faults will never make us right before an Omniscient God! No "Ash Wednesday" day will suffice. Our only hope is in acknowledging our sins, confessing it to our creator and pleading for forgiveness. God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.  "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." 1 John 1:5-10

The fig leave apron did not, as expected, bring peace to them. It did not cover up their nakedness. Many people today are trying and living under the same guilt and shame. They have not repented nor confessed their sins and asked for forgiveness. "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." Isaiah, 55:7  So many have chosen to showing off their nakedness in:  indecent dresses, immoral practices and even nudity.

DRESS for HEALTH

"In Dressing.--In all respects the dress should be healthful. "Above all things," God desires us to "be in health"--health of body and of soul. And we are to be workers together with Him for the health of both soul and body. Both are promoted by healthful dress."  Child Guidance, 398.1

     It should have the grace, the beauty, the appropriateness of natural simplicity. Christ has warned us against the pride of life, but not against its grace and natural beauty.  IBID, 398.2

"Knowledge must be gained in regard to how to eat and drink and dress so as to preserve health. Sickness is the result of violating nature's law. Our first duty, one which we owe to God, to ourselves, and to our fellowmen, is to obey the laws of God. These include the laws of health. If we are sick, we impose a weary tax upon our friends, and unfit ourselves for doing our duty either in the family or to our neighbors. And when premature death is the result, we bring sorrow and suffering to others; we deprive our neighbors of the help we might have rendered them; we rob our families of the comfort and help which they should have received from us, and rob God of the service he claims of us to advance his glory. Then are we not, in a high sense, transgressors of God's law?"  Counsels To Better Health, 12.3

                                                                            

      "But God is compassionate and tender, and when light comes to those who have injured themselves by sinful indulgence, if they repent and seek pardon, he mercifully accepts them. But what an inferior, pitiful offering at best, to present to a pure and holy God! O, what tender mercy, that he does not refuse the poor remnant of the life of the suffering, repenting sinner! Praise be to God, who saves such souls as by fire!  IBID, 13.1

     The view held by some that spirituality is a detriment to health, is the sophistry of Satan. The religion of the Bible is not detrimental to the health of either body or mind. The influence of the Spirit of God is the very best medicine for disease. Heaven is all health; and the more deeply heavenly influences are realized, the more sure will be the recovery of the believing invalid. The true principles of Christianity open before all a source of inestimable happiness. Religion is a continual well-spring, from which the Christian can drink at will, and never exhaust the fountain.  IBID, 13.2

"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth" 3 John 2

To you health!

Article by: EMVentureHealth