REVIEW: Jewellery

The other day I did a review on Make-up. Oh la la, it was indeed something. You might like to read it here. And today is a review on another subject which I am particularly interested in - Jewellery. 

Is wearing jewellery a sin?

What did you say? An emphatic yes?! Or a probable no? Or not really sure? Many times we get it twisted on issues like this. "Am I doing the right thing?" "Is this a sin or is this not?" Yeah, we all do.

You know what? God has the answers we seek. God's word spoken to us directly and through the bible is our constitution, our manual, our daily guide. Therefore it is final and conclusive.  In fact, the end of the review!

Now let's explore the bible on this issue.... Jewellery.

In Genesis 24:22-53, we can read of Abraham sending his servant to find a wife for Isaac, and sending earrings and bracelets to convince Rebekah and her family to allow the marriage.

Can you imagine? Shhh...

Exodus 3:21-22, "And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty: But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sorjourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians.

Song of Solomon 1:10-11(NASB), "Your cheeks are lovely with ornaments, your neck with strings of beads. We will make for you ornaments of gold with beads of silver.

Hmmm.....

I also studied Exodus 16:8-13, where God painted a beautiful picture in my mind (God can be romantic o). Jewellery was a token of God's love for Isreal. He wore on them bracelets, earrings, and necklaces. So lovely. You should also read it.

Take a look at these verses too:

Isaiah 49:18 (NASB), "Lift up your eyes and look around; All of them gather, they come to you. As I live, "declares the Lord, "You will surely put on all of them as jewels and bind them on as a bride.

Isaiah 61:10 (NASB), "I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exalt in my God; For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

I especially love that verse. These days, the word "bride" makes my heart sing.

Proverbs 25:12 also speaks of how earrings of gold enhances the ear.

Luke 15:22, "But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:"

Why would Jesus use jewellery as a reward in his parable if it was wrong to wear it? God would not offer his children something sinful as a gift or reward. No way!

But here is a bone of contention, Exodus 33:2-3, 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.

Aaron made an idol, a god out of the jewellery. And for this reason, some people have concluded that wearing jewellery is a sin. Well. . .

I should also point out that the jewellery was also used as an offering unto God. In Exodus 34:22, "And they came both men and women, as many as were willing-hearted, and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that offered, offered an offering of gold unto the Lord."

You know, the bible has got more good than bad to say about jewellery. Jewellery isn't bad in its contents. No, it isn't. In and of itself, jewellery is not wrong. But it becomes wrong when it is indeed an object of distraction, an idol.

Paul condemns the wearing of jewellery in 1 Timothy 2, when it was purely used to glorify self. He admonishes that Christians should be concerned with the important traits of Christianity such as sobriety, modesty and shamefacedness.

Jewellery can be abused and misused, as the prostitute does, but it can also be a thing of quiet, simple beauty when one isn't wearing it for self glorification and adoration. Moderation and simplicity are not only expected, but demanded. Simplicity is a charm (my dad agrees completely).

Now, do you feel that God has led you to not wear jewellery? Then DON'T. Emphasis on the don't. If you disobey, then it is sin. And do not crucify those that do. We operate on different levels of grace.

You know that when you get into the army today, you would be told what to wear and what not to. The soldiers gladly follow the rules. So it is with the doctrines of the church. The doctrines are to make us different. We are the lights of the world and if we are going to look like them, then what hope do they have?

If you want to be saved and right with God, then it is your decision to either let go or hold on.

"So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin." James 4:17 (ESV)

Written by Nwamaka Ajaegbu 
Follow on Twitter: @Amakamedia 
Email: amakamedia@yahoo.com

Heart Rays  . . .giving out the light.