Christians urged to return to decent dressing and moral behaviour

Dr. Winston Leith, National Overseer for the Church of God of Prophecy in Jamaica, did not mince words as he encouraged Christians to get back to the old-time morals and values the church treasured and practised.

Speaking on day four of the just concluded week-long 78^th staging of the National Convention held at 41 Old Harbour Road in St. Catherine, he reminded the congregation of principles the church holds dear.

“I’ve been observing a steady decline in how some members continue to attire themselves. While some things seem to be okay with you, they are very offensive to others. The Church of God of Prophecy has traditionally been a very conservative organisation, and as such, we are always admonished to be moderate in our attire, and as Christians, we must be able to help each other and be each other’s keeper,” he shared.

Referring to the practice of former years, Bishop Leith said members were guided by the advice of other members, who said “high enough necklines, low enough hemlines, and sleeves of reasonable length”.

Acknowledging that some members have deviated from this approach, he stressed that the principle of modesty and decency cannot be allowed to be thrown out the window.

“We have moved from moderate to immoderate, from appropriate to inappropriate dressing. Whilst not trying to legislate or tie a noose around anyone’s neck, I call on our pastors, ministers, mothers, and fathers in the local churches to exercise wisdom and care in guiding our members as well as our children and youth in the biblical principles of modesty in adornment,” he admonished.

According to Bishop Leith, he is not advocating for anyone to wear ‘maxi’ or anything that will ‘choke’ them or elaborate cover-up garments, just that they dress appropriately.

His advice to believers is that before they go on the road in their attire, to look in the mirror and see if the Holy Spirit would be pleased with what is being worn or if God would approve.

“Call me old-fashioned if you like; oh, I’m fine with that, but there are some things that I believe as Christians we must know how to do. We must know how to dress moderately.”

Alluding to what is now happening in society, he called on the church to be standard bearers while issuing a reminder that we are living in a very complex society with a rapid decline in moral and ethical behaviours.

In light of that reality, he is calling on the church to set the bar higher even as society continues to experience a downward moral spiral.

“The church has not been exempt from the elements of ungodliness that pervade this nation. In the face of this reality, the church, which is the prophetic voice and moral conscience of the society, must stand resolute and proclaim righteousness at all costs. We should not continue to keep silent in the face of immorality, corruption, and injustice,” he urged.

He also used the opportunity to call on those who serve—pastors and leaders—to be men and women of integrity both in their public and private lives.

“Whatever the cost, hold on to your integrity; don’t put it up for sale by doing things that will cause you to lose your voice,” was the heartfelt plea coming from him.