Ok, Did some studying and I found MANY scriptures that spoke to me.
Here goes! As in a coherent manner as I can manage:
Lets start with outward appearance- that one's more obvious- Lowered hemlines and higher collars. (no, not turtle necks year round) but I have become uncomfortable "exposed" if you will.
1 Timothy 2:9- "in like manner, also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation...but which is proper for women professing godliness with good works."
Which then leads to purity and faithfulness:
1Thess. 4:3-5 "For this is the will of God, your sanctification. That you should abstain from sexaul immorality, that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust..."
1 Cor 6:9 " Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Do not be decieved. Neither fornicators, nor idolators, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the Kingdom of God.
And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God."
As this this a family oriented forum, let the verses infer what I am talking about.
Then came shame and condemnation. The enemy was really beating me up.
Romans 8:1 "There is therefore now NO condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the spirit."
2 Cor 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold all things have become new."
But lets us not forget actions, or conduct. How have speech patterns changed? I used to complain, grouse, and whine and seek attention....
Phillipians 2:14 "Do all things without complaining and disputing."
2 Timothy 2:16 "But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness."
Col 4:6 "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt..."
For General Conduct these are good:
Titus 2:3-5 (synopsis: be discreet, circumspect, diligent in the home)
1 Thes. 4:11 " that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your hands...."
Romans 12:9-21 (good description of how to behave like a christian)
Phillip. 1:27 "only let your conduct be worthy of the Gospel of Christ...."
There are many, many more scriptures that I could share on purity, holiness, conduct, all such things I needed to learn.
But the hardest lesson for me has been how to turn of those "Christian Vibes" that are so easily used to condemn others with. Without saying a word, I could look at unbelievers (or even carnal christians) and how they behave and the things they do, and even tho I have been in the same place before, cant help but think of how filthy that looks to God. I see how God sees it, how it was in me, yet I forget the love God had for me while I was IN IT!
Heb 4:13 "And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account."
Romans 14:13 "Therefore, let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way."
John 4:24 "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgement."
Math. 7:1 "Judge not, that you be not judged"
Study notes from Bible: "Jesus does not forbid criticism, opinions, or the condemnation of wrongdoing, what He forbids is censoriousness, the spirit of faultfinding that overlooks one's own shortcomings while assuming the role of supreme judge in regard to the sins in others."
James 1:19-20 "Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath, for the WRATH OF MAN DOES NOT PRODUCE THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD." (emphasis mine)
This seems woefully inadequate to describe what the Lord has done for me. There is SO much more! How can you condense it down to one or 2 verses?
Romans 5:6 "For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly."
Praise be to our God that loves us so much, and doesnt leave us in our filth, but raises us up, cleans us off and changes our hearts and minds until we reflect the very image of Christ!
2 Cor 3:18 "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."