Adornment - Of Trinkets and Medallions and Such

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. (1 Peter 3:3-4)

The above photo is a picture of some of my favorite jewelry pieces tucked away in my jewelry box. It was recently stated to me that women should not wear jewelry. It's also been said to me that some of my pieces are satanic or occult related, and, it was hinted that I would go to hell for wearing such items.

All of this made me chuckle a bit. However, I do feel the need to touch on the subject of jewelry - whether or not it is against God to wear jewelry in general, and whether or not certain pieces could be against God. Yes, in 1 Peter we see that women should not wear elaborate adornments. But, what is elaborate? And why should it not be worn? What exactly is meant by this?

“I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’
“She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel son of Nahor, whom Milkah bore to him.’
“Then I put the ring in her nose and the bracelets on her arms, and I bowed down and worshiped the Lord. I praised the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me on the right road to get the granddaughter of my master’s brother for his son. (Genesis 24:47-48)

So, in 1 Peter, we're told not to wear jewelry, and yet in Genesis (as well as many other areas within the Bible), we see jewelry as being given/worn. So what does this tell us?

First and foremost, I think it is important to consider the time period and culture from which the Biblical writings come from.  In Biblical times, jewelry was often a status symbol. In today's society (unless of course it's one of those diamond rocks too big to fit on a finger, and with too big a price tag to be in 99.9% people's budget), it usually isn't this status symbol. However, I do believe this verse may be warning people against wearing that rock, especially when you consider that many people rich enough to show off spendy little trinkets aren't very good in their hearts. It's not that wearing jewelry is wrong, it's that wearing it to prove you're something, or to hide who you truly are, or to draw people's attention from who you are inside is wrong.

That said, the way I take those verses is not that we should not wear jewelry. It's that we should make sure we're taking care of the kind of people we are on the inside, and not worrying about how we look on the outside to the world. Just because you wear fine clothes and beautiful jewelry doesn't mean you're a fine and beautiful person on the inside.


Now then, as to the "satanic" nature of my personal trinket collection....

1. Writer's Medallion
2. Cross
3. Ankh
4 - 6: Dragons
7 - 9: Crystals in a dragon's claw

1. The writer's medallion is a little trinket my husband found for me on Amazon. Basically, this medallion is engraved with various symbols and names of saints and angels. And, it is supposed to give the wearer help in writing. No, I do not believe there is a special power in the medallion. However, it is very interesting researching the names of those engraved on it.

2. Of course, we all believe crosses are not occult or satanic... they are Christian. However, one I do not have pictured above is a rather large black cross... with a definite "goth" look to it. Because of the "goth" nature, many do not like it and think it's satanic. I'd also like to point out that the cross was technically not even a Christian symbol until the 4th century.

3. The ankh - the symbol of the vampire. Or Egyptian gods. But essentially, the ankh is a cross. It, as well as the cross we know, were used in pagan sun-god worship. For me now, I simply love the ankh. And while in pagan sun-god worship, it was a symbol of reincarnation, I see it as a symbol of eternity, no different than the crosses we wear today.

4-6: They're just dragons people.... mythological and very awesome creatures.

7-9: These crystals held within a dragon's claw - I have heard many say these are amulets, witchcraft, blah blah blah. It's a necklace. But, there is a story behind these for me. When I was 17, my life wasn't that great. Having been through abuse and rape and everything unpleasant, I had hit an all time low. Depression was slowing killing me. A friend of mine used to always wear these pendants, and I'd often try to playfully steal them from him. One day he explained to me that they give the wearer courage, strength and protection, and he gave me one. While I do not believe they actually do give the wearer this, they do for me simply because wearing them reminds me of his words, and reminds me that I do have courage and strength within me.

Anyway, the lesson behind this lengthy blog post - just because something isn't a Christian cross (and a nice pretty one at that), does not mean it is evil or satanic. Just because someone is wearing something which could be seen as evil or satanic, doesn't mean the person is this way or intends it that way.

And just because someone is wearing jewelry, does not mean that person is going against the Bible!

I Dream of Angels but Live with Demons

"I dream of angels but live with demons" is a statement made on an episode of Law & Order: SVU, by a schizophrenic. While this post isn't about this show or this character, I did love the quote.

I have always been intrigued by the "supernatural" - angels, demons, the occult, psychics, and everything else lumped in this word. The first paper I wrote for my confirmation class was about angels. I believe angels exist. I believe demons do also. I believe both are capable of possessing humans, walking the earth, and doing the will of their associated leader (God or Satan).

But what does the Bible say? Do these exist? I won't rehash research which has already been written, but I will point to a couple very interesting articles I found on the subject:
http://www.theology.edu/theology/angel.htm
http://bible.org/seriespage/survey-bible-doctrine-angels-satan-demons

So, we know that both angels and demons existed in the Bible, both Old and New Testaments. Satan existed in the Bible. Demonic possession happened in the Bible. This makes me wonder - is angelic possession also possible? I'd have to say yes, for the simple fact that demons are technically angels. Do they, however? Again, I would have to say yes, although we usually don't hear of these events quite as often.

Demonic possession is frightening and strange... it's perfect for television shows and movies and stories. Angelic possession? That just sounds boring. It wouldn't make for good entertainment, and therefore it doesn't get the same attention. In addition to this, however, is that I don't believe angels will possess people very often, or for long enough to be noticed. Because angels are good, they follow the will of God. Unless God tells them to possess someone, they won't. And when they are told to, it is for a specific purpose and then it's done. Demons, on the other hand, have no respect for God's will, nor mankind's will. They will take possession whenever they want, for whatever reason they want, and for as long as they want - unless stopped.

I don't believe angels or demons can take control of just any one though. I do think they both need some type of permission from the person. It often seems demons possess those who are weaker - either physically, intellectually, or emotionally. I've heard of those sick with cancer becoming possessed. Children. Mentally slower people. Those with psychoses. This weakened state gives the demon the permission it needs.We all do rather crazy things in our weakened states. As a child, I even tried to strike up a bargain with Satan... I offered him my soul in exchange for peace. Of course, I never received this peace... Satan doesn't dabble in peace. But, I did open myself up to possession.

So why would angels or demons take possession? For what purpose? In the case of angels - perhaps you're driving down the road, and something causes you to stop the car suddenly. No reason, no explanation. But moments later, there's a loud crash right where your car would have been had you continued down the road. Divine intervention? An angel taking possession of you? In the case of demons - these fallen angels just like to make you sin. They like to cause chaos and terror. They like murder and destruction and everything evil.

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Have you ever witnessed a possession? Have you ever been possessed? The whole concept of angels and demons has intrigued me for many years, since I was a young child. I have barely touched on anything much in this post due to feeling a bit ill and disconnected tonight... but I'd love to read any true stories people have on the topic...