Wearing Jewelry? So What!
By Carlton Foster – November 13, 2019

There are many books, sermons, videos, and discussions on the issue – should God’s people wear jewelry? I have searched the Bible for any mention of the word gold, silver, adornment, pearl, ring, necklace, pierce, platting, braided, etc. I have also listened to many sermons and discussions on the topic and recently the Lord has revealed the true purpose of this phenomenon – wearing jewelry.

To find the answer to the many questions on jewelry, we must look at the Bible principles about pride. I will just make mention of a few: In Ezekiel 28:17, the Bible says about Satan, “Your heart was filled with pride because of all your beauty. Your wisdom was corrupted by your love of splendor. So I threw you to the ground and exposed you to the curious gaze of kings.” And in Ezekiel 7:10, “The Day of Judgment is here; your destruction awaits! The people’s wickedness and pride have blossomed to full flower.” We see and realized that the forces behind “pride” can drive individuals far from God.

So what is the essence of God’s law about the wearing of Jewelry? The answer is, “Do not draw attention to you for the purpose of leveraging the forces of pride and self-worship.” With this principle, any acts with or without jewelry that harbors pride and self-worship is sinful. We can name a number of sinful acts (if the purpose is to draw attention): fancy cars, big houses for few people, expensive suit or dress, added cosmetics (hair pieces, eyelashes, etc.) to look beautiful, jewelry to bring attraction to self, etc.

Since this article is on jewelry, I will focus on the evils behind it, but I must first let you know that these things: pieces of jewelry are objects (no life in them), and how you use them can cause you to sin. However, jewelry can be used as tool, for identification – such as married rings, for the beatification of surroundings (houses, gardens, streets, etc.). Using jewelry for these purposes is not sinful, because they are tools and artworks. There are many verses in the Bible were God and godly people used jewelry for these purposes, but when pieces of jewelry are used to bring attraction to a person, the evil forces of pride will take control of these people and they will sin.

Some may argue that wearing jewelry is not about pride and they can control what the forces of wearing them can cause. While that may be true, but the formula is, jewelry can bring pride and can result in self-worship and sin. People are attracted to individuals who are adorned in beautiful jewelries. They are admired for their beautiful dress, fine hairstyles, fine suits, pretty or expensive shoes, nice watches, and expensive jewelry. You will say to the person wearing them, “You look beautiful (or handsome) today!” The person may respond and acknowledge your admiration, “Thank you!” That simple exchange of words of affirmation and acknowledgement can conjure up pride and sinful behaviors.  There are many Bible references to these encounters that will support the thought on this subject.

In summary, Jesus came to this world as he was born in a humble stable. He lives his life in humility, trying to draw the attraction and admiration of others to the kingdom of God rather than to himself. The Apostle Paul said, “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20 NLT)”.  When pride, self-praises, and admiration are crucified, the Spirit of Christ will live in you. Paul further added, “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves (Philippians 2:3 NLT)”. This is a true statement: wearing pieces of jewelry or any acts to draw attention to you can conjure up the forces of evil spirits.