This weekend, an anonymous commenter left this message on my most recent post on Quivering Daughters, a piece debunking legalistic teachings about clothing, entitled Garments of Salvation. Needless to say, I was completely floored and left pretty close to tears. I seldom see such a deeply touching reminder of why I do pretty much everything I do. Thank you, Anonymous, for sharing your poignant story and hard-earned wisdom. Have a tissue ready? Here’s the comment:
I am enjoying your articles full of wisdom. I also appreciate your attempts to expose deception.
Regretfully, I was deceived at one time and caught up in the legalism of clothing issues. After the death of my beloved daughter things became clearer. My daughter unfortunately became involved with drugs, I am sure her mother’s over zealous christianity and attention to detail caused her much pain and attributed somewhat to the choices she made.
There are so many verses to dispel this legalism of clothing. Remember the enemy knows scripture and desires to put us into bondage. Where the spirit of God is there is liberty. His yoke is easy, Each day has enough trouble of its own. I could go on. It is people and our relationships with them that are important. Not the clothing we wear. We need to show “love” to each other and stop splitting hairs over silly rules on clothing.
If I could get one moment back with my daughter, clothing would be the least of my concerns. In fact, she could dress however she wanted, listen to whatever music she desired etc., I would not care for one second what she did, but I would enjoy “her.” We need to enjoy each other and love each other. The time is short. You will not get the time wasted being concerned about clothing back. Use your time wisely, love each other and let this be your focus. Learn from my regret, and look at the big picture. Don’t let the blood Jesus spilled to free us be for naught.
We are free. Free to love each other and live in the glorious freedom He has given us. We will never be perfect, and all the concern and worry in the world will not change that. Our lives are a mist, a vapor in God’s great expanse of time. Let’s serve HIM and praise HIM and put the enemy and his lies about clothing under our feet.
Thank you for listening, and please forgive me if I sound preachy. I have deep pain over my daughter’s loss that will never heal until I am with Jesus. I just have to speak out about this legalism and hopefully I can spare someone else the regret I live with.
Your anonymous commentor was worried about sounding preachy — I’d listen to a “sermon” like that any day! My heart goes out to her…
I agree — there’s too much emphasis placed on clothing. Maybe if people would stop looking at the name brands (or off brands) and start looking people in the eye, they’d discover what Jesus knew all along. Behind every tattered rag is a soul worth loving.
Totally agree, Kimby! I only wish all sermons were as real as that one.
Dear anonymous commenter,
I appreciate your words of wisdom very much. I’m very sorry to hear about what happened to your daughter, my heart breaks for you and her both. This is not what God intended to happen to use. God NEVER gave us his scriptures to cause us pain, misery, sadness or depression, have gave them to use say that we would find life through his son Jesus, and it’s only because both man and Satan distort scripture in order to turn people away from his son.
“Remember the enemy knows scripture and desires to put us into bondage. Where the spirit of God is there is liberty. His yoke is easy, Each day has enough trouble of its own. I could go on. It is people and our relationships with them that are important. Not the clothing we wear. We need to show “love” to each other and stop splitting hairs over silly rules on clothing.” Your words are so true and wise. God knows our hearts, our souls and our bodies. Our sexuality is not a bad thing, neither are our bodies. Our relationship with God is not affected by what we wear or don’t wear, God still loves us. The female body is not the problem with man’s lust, man’s heart is the problem, and it’s because of man’s sinful heart that we lust. Wanting to see a woman’s body is not lust, it’s a desire given by God. Liking the form of a woman’s body is not sinful, either, it’s something that God gave us also.
Don’t feel bad, your daughter’s death was not your fault, and it’s not your fault either that you were deceived. Believe me, anyone can use scripture by twisting to so say whatever they want it to say and claim to be an “expert,” and sometimes it can be very convincing, I know from experience. Such people are false prophets, ravenous wolves in sheep’s clothing as Jesus described, and Jesus has some very strong words for those who lead his children astray and abuse them:
“If anyone causes one of these little ones–those who believe in me–to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung
around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.” -Mark 9:42
The people who deceived you will have to give an account for leading you and your family astray.
I pray that Jesus will heal the wounds of your loss.
God bless