Slides: Body Language: Caring for Your Look

By David Feddes

 

Man’s
 job interview

• Polish your shoes.
• Groom your hair neatly.
• No visible tattoos or piercings.
• Leave earring or nose ring at home.
• Dress up; don’t dress too casually.

 

Woman’s
 job interview

• Don’t get too fancy with hair.
• Go easy on the makeup.
• Don’t overdo perfume.
• Limit your jewelry.
• Avoid skimpy, tight clothing

Body language

I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing. I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. (1 Timothy 2:8-10)

Body language in 
worship and prayer

• Clap your hands. (Psalm 47:1)
• Let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. (Psalm 95:6)
• Praise him with dancing. (Ps 150:4)
• I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer. (1 Timothy 2:8)

Body language
: Caring for your look

• Facial expression
• Posture, gestures
• Hairstyle, makeup
• Clothing, jewelry
• Body modification

Negative body language

• A worthless person, a wicked man…  winks with his eyes, signals with his feet, points with his finger. (Prov 6:12-13)
• The look on their faces testifies against them; they parade their sin like Sodom. (Isaiah 3:9)
• They made their faces harder than stone and refused to repent. (Jeremiah 5:3)

Positive body language

• Those who look to the Lord are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. (Psalm 34:5)
• A glad heart makes a cheerful face… Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart… When a king’s face brightens, it means life. (Proverbs 15:13, 30; 16:15)

Wordless messages

• Folding arms in defiance
• Rolling eyes in disrespect
• Sticking out tongue in contempt
• Raising hands, shaking fists
• Index finger, middle finger, thumb
• Avoiding eye contact
• Drooping shoulders in defeat

Better body language

• Stand straight, shoulders back, chin up
• Smile, look in the eye
• Firm handshake, don’t cross arms
• Don’t chew nails, twirl hair, tap fingers
• Body odor? Shower, use deodorant
• Bad breath? Brush teeth, breath mints
• Unkempt look? Groom hair, dress sharp

Body language: 
Caring for your look

• Facial expression
• Posture, gestures
• Hairstyle, makeup
• Clothing, jewelry
• Body modification

Dressed and sane

When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs… They saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind. (Luke 8:27, 35)

Dressed for authority

Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph's finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. (Genesis 41:42)

“Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.” (Luke 15:22)

Appropriate clothing

• Attractive but not immodest
• Dignified but not extravagant
• Gendered but not legalistic

Dressed to attract

• Wash and perfume yourself, and put on your best clothes. (Ruth 3:3)
• The king is enthralled by your beauty. (Psalm 45:11)
• You have stolen my heart with one glance of your eyes. (Song 4:9)
• My beloved is dazzling… And he is wholly desirable. (Song 5:10-16)

Dressed like a prostitute

The woman meets him, dressed as a prostitute. She says, “I had to offer sacrifices, and today I have paid my vows…Come, let us take our fill of love till morning; let us delight ourselves with love. For my husband is not at home.” (Proverbs 7:10, 18-19)

Appropriate clothing

• Attractive but not immodest
• Dignified but not extravagant
• Gendered but not legalistic

Fancy flirting

• The LORD says, “The women of Zion are haughty, walking along with out-stretched necks, flirting with their eyes, tripping along with mincing steps, with ornaments jingling on their ankles.” (Isaiah 3:16)
• Motto: If you’ve got it, flaunt it!

Overdressed

In that day the Lord will snatch away their finery: the bangles and headbands and crescent necklaces, the earrings and bracelets and veils, the headdresses and ankle chains and sashes, the perfume bottles and charms, the signet rings and nose rings, the fine robes… the purses and mirrors, and the linen garments and tiaras and shawls. (Isaiah 3:18-23)

There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. (Luke 16:19)

The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. (Rev 17:4)

Appropriate clothing

• Attractive but not immodest
• Dignified but not extravagant
• Gendered but not legalistic

Gender-appropriate

A woman must not wear men’s clothing, nor a man wear women’s clothing, for the Lord your God detests anyone who does this. (Deuteronomy 22:5).

Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? (1 Corinthians 11:14-15)

 
Appropriate clothing

• Attractive but not immodest
• Dignified but not extravagant
• Gendered but not legalistic

Clothed with dignity

She is clothed in fine linen and purple... She is clothed with strength and dignity… Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeing, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. (Proverbs 31:22, 25.30)

Clothed in splendor

In that day the LORD Almighty will be a glorious crown, a beautiful wreath for the remnant of his people. (Isaiah 28:5)

Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. (Revelation 22:14)

Body modification

You shall not round off the hair on your temples or mar the edges of your beard. You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord. (Leviticus 19:27-28)

Body language
: Caring for your look

• Facial expression
• Posture, gestures
• Hairstyle, makeup
• Clothing, jewelry
• Body modification

Appearance and reality

• People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. (1 Sam 16:7).
• Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. (Proverbs 31:30)
• Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment. (John 7:24)

Beyond body language

I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing. I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. (1 Timothy 2:8-10)