A Call For Christian Dignity

In a Time of Outlandish Behavior

By Dr. Malcolm Hill, Jr.

     When I first felt the call to write and speak about the need for dignity in the Church, I was drawn to the example set by one of history’s most respected military commanders, General Robert E. Lee. Southern and northern men alike held this soldier in high regard, pointing to both the dignity of character and appearance with which he managed himself.  One Maryland Unionist even exclaimed, “Oh, I wish he was ours!” as the general passed by her home. What this lady saw in Lee was what all his admirers saw: a man of quiet dignity and grace, a charming affability and courtesy that won the hearts of all who had the privilege of meeting him, or even just seeing him. Some speculate that there must have been a mystical aura about him, but I think it was simply the physical grace and dignified character that drew them to him. Throughout this brief study I will keep pulling the reader back to General Lee’s fine example of stateliness and nobility, as friend and foe alike recognized him to be an immaculate Christian gentleman.

     During the War Between the States, a southern citizen was standing on the front porch of his home as the Army of Northern Virginia passed by. The soldiers were typical-looking men, well ordered but a bit haggard from long marching. There was nothing out of the ordinary about them as far as soldiers go, but then General Lee rode by. The resident later described the occasion: “Even in the fleeting moment of his passing by my gate, I was awed by his incomparable dignity.”

    Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the dignity of all Christians were as compelling? Not with the arrogant gait, posture or expression of a man who thinks more highly of himself than he ought to think, but like Lee, a man who with spiritual composure and rectitude reflects the righteous and admirable traits of Christ within.

    Paul said, “we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing” (2 Corinthians 2:15). Some of that “fragrance” has to do with the believer’s dignity before the world. A person who carries the fullness of Christ will turn heads when he or she enters a room, for when Jesus fills a person He will not easily be ignored. There is an anointing resting on His carrier that pierces through the atmosphere of a room, transcending the natural scheme of things. The presence of this anointing should produce high levels of dignity and character.

Dignity Defined

    Dignity is a difficult word to explain. The dictionary defines it as a formal reserve or seriousness of manner, appearance or language that demands the respect of all observers, be they friend or foe. German theologian and Hebrew scholar, Friedrich Umbreit defined dignity as “a noble spirit.” I like his definition best. 

    A Northern officer, observing General Lee’s surrender at Appomattox, noted: “In manner, he was grave and dignified…which gave him the air of a man who kept up his honor to the last.”

    Indeed, dignity is that quality or condition that “keeps up one’s honor (noble spirit) to the last,” attracting the admiration of others. Such dignity is never gained by place, and never lost when honors are withdrawn. In victory or defeat, success or failure, dignity remains.

The Church Must Regain Dignity 

     In recent years a call has gone out to the body of Christ to lighten up, and not be so concerned with looking proper before the world. Such dignity, it is reasoned, is seen as a manifestation of pride, arrogance or religiosity, and therefore must be rejected if we will reach this generation. Some of this call has been needed, particularly where a pompous and elitist attitude has been presented to the world.   

    However, if anyone’s life is to do justice to David’s statement about the distinguished placement of man on earth, it should be the Christian: “What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that you give attention to him? For (originally) You made him a little lower than (Elohiym – God), and You crowned him with glory and honor” (Psalm 8:4-5). Indeed, man and woman are the crowning touch of creation, and though they are called to “do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with [their] God” (Micah 6:8), they are to walk, talk and live with the dignified gait of humble superiority above all other created beings. So, yes, we are to reject the false dignity of elitism, pride and arrogance, but we are to embrace the dignity of our upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  

    Another type of dignity needing to be rejected by the body of Christ is that which won’t allow people freedom in worship. If one’s dignity suppresses expressions of love for Jesus, it is not good. A popular praise song a few years back promoted freedom to be undignified in displays of adoration and love for the Lord. 

    Congregations of every tag and title began encouraging their people to express this love by clapping and raising their hands, by waving banners, and by dancing before Him. As long as such expressions are done at the right time, with the right attitude and motives, and do not hurt the work of God, there is nothing wrong with them.

Where Dignity Matters

    Marcus Aurelius Antoninus wrote:  “There is a proper dignity…to be observed in the performance of every act of life.” In other words, all we do from the time we rise in the morning to the time we retire at night, should be done with dignity of thought, word and action. As Christians we should never lower ourselves to be anything but regal citizens of heaven, ambassadors for Christ in a corrupt and fallen world. We are to represent His kingdom to a lost and dying humanity, reflecting His love and compassion, His righteous judgments, and His great truth for all to see. If people do not see a marked difference in the way we live, then our witness is vain. Dignity cannot be seen on a bumper sticker, a Christian T-shirt, or in the music blasting from our car stereo, but rather in the way we treat our fellow human beings in a parking lot, in a store at the mall, on the highway, or in the workplace. We might claim to be Christians, but if we are rude, inconsiderate and dishonest, our actions betray our confession.

A Walk of Dignity

    Paul exhorted the believer to “walk properly” (Romans 13:13), to “walk worthy of the calling with which you are called” (Ephesians 4:1), to “walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8), to “walk circumspectly” (Ephesians 5:15), to “walk as citizens of heaven” (Philippians 3:17-20), and to “walk in wisdom toward those who are outside [of the faith]” (Colossians 4:5-6; 1 Thessalonians 4:12). The apostle Peter points out the need to “live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God” (1 Peter 2:12, NIV). So ask yourself, beloved: “Am I honorable before my neighbors and co-workers? Do I set forth a worthy example of how a Christian should work and mind his own business? Am I an irritable cuss before the ungodly? Do I keep my commitments, or pay my bills on time? How do I treat people? Does rudeness and dishonesty characterize my behavior, or is my conduct ‘worthy of the gospel of Christ?’” (See Philippians 1:27.) If you really want to know the answers to those questions, ask your closest friends and family members to give you a grade. You may not like what you hear, but in the end it will help you.

Dignify Yourself

    Personal dignity is a virtue, not a vice. Again, I speak not of pride or haughtiness here, but rather a personal carriage that emanates the very fragrance of Christ and solicits respect from all who know us, whether they agree with us or not. We owe it to God to be seen in no less a light than that which we want others to see and know our Savior.

    Personal dignity speaks of our character—the integrity we maintain when no one is watching. Someone once said, “Popularity is what men know of you; character is what angels know of you.” We must be true to ourselves, just as we want to be true to our God and to others.

Dignify Your God

    We represent the Creator of the universe, Eternal our God! As His personal agents on earth we must dignify Him with excellent Christian behavior wherever we go. That means we cannot do or say the things many other people do or say. We march to the beat of a different drummer, and conduct ourselves at all times with the honor that brings Him glory. 

Dignify Your Family

    One of Solomon’s proverbs says, “He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind” (11:29). All around we see men and women who trouble their own families because of their lack of integrity and honor. They inherit the wind as a result.

In every community there are families that are respected by their neighbors and friends, but also those that are jeered. The character of a father and/or mother often decides the opinion a community has of their family. Even the distasteful actions of a rebellious child eventually will be eclipsed and forgotten if his or her parents maintain a walk of dignity throughout the years of their time in that community.

Dignify Your Work

 No race can prosper until it learns that there is as much dignity in tilling a field as in writing a poem.                                                                                                                                         —Booker T. Washington

    Spoken when most of his people were still working the fields, uneducated and unrefined, Washington realized that their way out of such an unpleasant existence was to dignify their work with admirable Christian character. He saw no value in self-pity, in fruitless complaining or bitter hatred; but rather in doing one’s work as unto Christ, knowing that He would exalt in due time. (See Galatians 6:9.)

    The same rings true for you and me. In order to dignify our work, bringing honor to the God we claim to serve, we should seek to “do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31), “do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17), “and whatever we do, (we should) do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men” (Colossians 3:23).

Dignify Your Church

    How should we behave in Church, among the Lord’s cherished saints? Paul stressed, “that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God…which is the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). In our years as pastors, my wife and I have seen enough to tell us we desperately need a revival of Christian dignity in the Church.

    One afternoon Darlene listened with dismay as a woman shook her fist in the face of another woman and threatened, “One day it’s just going to be me and you!” These two ladies were members of the same church! What a shameful way to communicate with one another. Suppose a visitor had witnessed this outburst.

    At another time we sorrowed to hear of a man in the church slapping an attractive young visitor on the bottom. I guess her good looks overcame his good judgment. His undignified behavior, regardless of how innocent he thought it was, deserved a swift reprimand. If such rebukes are not forthcoming, embarrassing incidents like this may repeat themselves and create situations where decent women will avoid such men, and maybe even avoid the church.

    People in the world are noticing the brand of Christianity our churches are producing. One Sunday afternoon, my son Bruce saw a pretentious, “dignified” group of church folks at a local restaurant totally terrorizing a simple little waitress who needed to have more grace extended to her than criticism. Often blunt when addressing the pride displayed by certain types, Bruce approached the table and asked the group what church they attended.

    “Oh!” replied one of the diners. “We attend First Church, the big one down on the corner of Fifth and Main!”

Upon hearing that, Bruce shot back, “Well, I know what church I’m never going to attend, nor will I encourage anyone else to attend your church. Your insensitivity and rudeness to that waitress was appalling.”

    At first the group was stymied, but then their stubborn arrogance took over and rendered them incapable of receiving the correction God was sending them through an honest young man. As Bruce walked away, they scorned him for daring to say such a thing to them. After all, they were important members of First Church. Hopefully someone at the table was humble enough to take to heart what he said. Theirs was not the kind of behavior we need in the body of Christ.

Dignify Your Office

    By the word “office” we mean any official position one might hold in an institution, be it a corporation, a ministry, the military, or some other type of official foundation. Most Americans today are disgusted by the lack of dignity displayed by their elected officials in Washington. Sordid sexual affairs, embarrassing scandals, the improper use of monies, the frustration of unfulfilled promises, etc. has all but depleted the respect people have for politicians. Dignity needs to be restored to all arenas of authority, but it will only happen as men and women earn the respect of their constituents.

    One day during the War Between the States, it became known that General Lee would soon be passing through a particular town. A large crowd quickly gathered along the way, each person eager to catch a glimpse of the general. Soon, a small group of horsemen appeared, with Lee in the midst. As the riders approached, the people were silent and bareheaded. There was no outward excitement—no cheering, no applause. Yet as the great chief passed, a deep loving murmur…rose from the very hearts of the crowd.

    I stood in the long hallway outside of the main conference room at Founder’s Inn in Virginia Beach. No less than three hundred people crowded the hallway as we waited for the doors to open. Suddenly a hush fell over the waiting crowd. I turned to see one of the most dignified people I have ever encountered, passing right by me. Derek Prince, world-renowned Bible scholar and teacher, was making his passage through the crowd toward the conference room door. There was no special swagger, no pious look, only an aura of dignity that radiated from him because of the authority of his position and the integrity of his walk before God. Our ministries cry for the mark of dignity.

Dignify Your Ministry 

    While it is true that we should never put on airs, trying to make people think we are super-spiritual, neither should we stoop to carnal levels of speech, dress or activity in an effort to reach them. That will not earn their respect, but make us a laughingstock.

    A popular young evangelist added tattoos and rings to his body in an effort to appeal to the young people he wanted to reach for Christ. But did he really need to do that? Honestly, his tattoos and rings only revealed unresolved, deep-seated issues yet abiding within his character. Eventually these problems manifested in a compromised lifestyle and moral failure that brought his entire ministry crashing down around him. There is no dignity in covering one’s skin with colorful images and filling the ears, tongue and nose with additional holes from which to suspend rings or affix studs. The Word and anointing of God are more than sufficient to capture the attention and win the hearts of young people.

    I also was dismayed recently to walk in on a local pastor who was telling a crude joke to a group of men at a local hangout. The surprised look on those men’s faces was telling. The pastor thought he was scoring points with them, winning their friendship for future evangelistic efforts, but in reality he was lessening himself in their eyes. I could see it clearly and was embarrassed for him. The Word commands us not to allow “filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting…to be named among us” (Ephesians 5:3-4). 

    In another case, a little boy was riding in the car with his mother. As they rode through town, they passed a lady pastor who oversees a church near their home.

    “Look momma,” exclaimed the shocked youngster, “that preacher lady is smoking a cigarette!”

    Sure enough, she was! There with her hands draped over the steering wheel was a smoking fag dangling between her fingers. What kind of impression did she leave on that young boy?

Dignify Your Community

    A verse in Ezekiel intrigues me. It says the warriors’ shields and helmets hanging on its walls and in its towers gave the city splendor (27:10-11). The Hebrew word translated “splendor” is yeqar, and can also be translated “dignity.” As the people of God today (who are also His army) take their place in a city or a region, their spiritual armor will add dignity and splendor to that place. As the natural armor to which Ezekiel referred reflected the light of the natural sun, making the city’s beauty perfect, so the spiritual armor of God’s people is to reflect the glory of the Son, making their beauty perfect. However, when the soldier’s behavior is compromised through immoral, unethical behavior, that splendor is tarnished and diminished. It behooves us, therefore, to walk always with Christian dignity so that God’s glory on us can shine unhindered.

Dignify Your Country

    I have traveled abroad on several occasions, and have discovered that the dislike for Americans that many around the globe share is understandable. When traveling overseas, many Americans act very undignified, being loud, demanding and condescending! And Christians are some of the worst!

   Whenever I travel abroad, I see myself as more than a tourist or missionary; I see myself as a representative of the United States and of the kingdom of God! The impression foreign people develop of our nation, as well as the spiritual kingdom we represent, can be shaped (for better or for worse) by what they hear us saying and by what they see us doing. We should endeavor to be perfect ladies and gentleman in every respect as we visit other countries.

Dignify Your Situation

    Living as Christians in a fallen world can sometimes be very challenging. In a perfect world, maintaining dignity would be easy because everything would be working as it should and everybody would be doing what is right. But we are not in a perfect world, and many people are not doing what is right. Consequently, it is not easy to bring dignity into every situation. Our own high ideals are wonderful to hold and live for, but we cannot force them on everyone else. There are some burdens we must release and cast on the Lord, trusting Him to work things out the way He will. When we push too hard in persuading men to do what we think is right, we drive them from us. That is not good if it means losing their friendship and the opportunity to help them in the future.

Defend Your Dignity (The devil wants it!)

Terrors overwhelm me; my dignity is driven away as by the wind, my safety vanishes like a cloud.                                                                                                                       Job 30:15, NIV

    Job bemoaned the fact that, like a driving wind, worthless men pursued his dignity—his “noble spirit.” As Christians we too must contend with winds of adversity (people and situations) that seek to strip down our noble spirit. All-too-often we find that these contrary winds only reveal the dignity-annihilators that abide deep within our own hearts. What are a few annihilators of man’s dignity?

    By a lie, a man annihilates his dignity.

    By cheating and stealing a man annihilates his dignity.

    By unfaithfulness and infidelity a man annihilates his dignity.

    By sloth and laziness a man annihilates his dignity.

    By stubbornness and rebellion a man annihilates his dignity.

    By arrogance and a know-it-all spirit a man annihilates his dignity.

    By filthiness and an unkempt appearance a man annihilates his dignity.

    By an unkind and raucous spirit a man annihilates his dignity.

    By keeping bad company a man annihilates his dignity.

    By an unruly tongue, a man annihilates his dignity.

    By cowardice in the face of trial and persecution a man annihilates his dignity.

    What are the things that establish dignity in a believer’s life?

    A genuine, growing knowledge of who we are in Christ establishes dignity.

    An increasing practical knowledge of the Word of God establishes dignity.

    A deepening sense of the constant need for mercy and grace establishes dignity.

    A growing fear of grieving the Holy Spirit establishes dignity.

    Proper alliances and relationships establish dignity.

    A strong kingdom perspective establishes dignity.

The Earmarks of Dignity

1. A Gracious and Humble Spirit.

There is a healthful hardiness about real dignity that never dreads contact and communion with others, however humble.

                                                                                          —Washington Irving

    A simple, uneducated farmer found himself in a long conversation with an old confederate soldier one day. After conversing comfortably for a while, the farmer asked if there was any way that he could meet General Robert E. Lee. The old soldier humbly replied, “I am General Lee, and I am most happy to have met you.”

2. Service to God and Others.

    It is not the possession of extraordinary gifts that makes one extraordinarily useful, but the dedication of what one has to the service of God. In an age when so many want to be served, it is crucial for a generation of Christians to step forward who are eager to do the serving. If such a generation does not come forth, rendering service to men as unto God, it will not earn the right to be heard, and will fail to impact society with the gospel of the kingdom. It has often been said, “People don’t really care how much you know, but rather how much you care.” In this age of tumult and turmoil, the opportunity to present the gospel of God's love through self-sacrificing service has never been so needed. If you want to be great in the kingdom, influencing men and women for eternity, learn to be the servant of all!

3. A Tongue Tamed by the Holy Spirit.

    One may desire a life of dignity, but unless he allows the Holy Spirit to tame his tongue, his words will deny the fulfillment of his desire. James said, “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless” (1:26). The verse doesn’t say that the person with an unbridled tongue is unsaved, but that he is non-effective. Honestly, the most useful Christians on earth are those who allow the Holy Spirit to bridle their tongues and erase words of strife and conflict, negative confessions, grumbling and complaining, and boasting. Such believers usually maintain high levels of dignity and character throughout their lives, not like those who set forth a show of power for a season, but then fade away for lack of character and integrity.  

4. A Quiet and Gentle Spirit.

    A quiet and gentle spirit is very precious in the sight of God (1 Peter 3:4). The most dignified Christians to serve the Lord on earth have been those who knew how to manage their emotions. Hot-tempered people are never known as dignified people. Impetuous people are never known as dignified people. Boisterous people are never known as dignified people. Pushy people are never known as dignified people.

He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.

                                                                                          Proverbs 17:27

He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

                                                                                          Proverbs 16:32

    Adam Clarke wrote: “It is much easier to subdue an enemy without than one within. There have been many kings who had conquered nations, and yet were slaves to their own passions. Alexander, who conquered the world, was a slave to intemperate anger, and in an angry fit slew Clytus, the best and most intimate of all his friends.”

    The classical reader will remember Horace, who wrote:  “He is more of a hero who has conquered himself, than he who has taken the best fortified city.” It behooves us brethren to maintain dignity by a restful and quiet spirit.

5. Faithfulness in Carrying Out Duty and Responsibility.   

    The Scripture says, “Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint” (Proverbs 25:19). A broken tooth may have its place among the other teeth, but when needed for chewing, it yields pain rather than help. Such is an unfaithful man. The same holds true for a foot that is out of joint. It may be attached at the end of the leg, but it will not support the load placed on it, and will make a man’s walk unsteady and erratic.   

    When a Christian fails to display dignity by upholding his responsibilities, his erratic walk defies his witness. Such a person proves to be a major source of pain and discomfort to those who depend on him or need his help. In truth, his tardiness is nothing more than silent rebellion, and a blatant manifestation of shame and dishonor.

In Closing

    As I stated at the beginning of this article, a call is going out to the Church for a return to dignity. In coming days, God’s people will be placed under great scrutiny by an unbelieving, sometimes hostile world. Let us give them something to admire when they look upon us and behold our dignified Christian character and conduct.