WHAT SHALL I WEAR? Is it legalistic even to talk about it?
Does God have a dress code?
Lets see what God says in His word
Eph. 4:22~24 put off / put on
Col. 3: 8~10 put off / put on off garments of evil / on garments of righteousness
1 Sam. 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his height or his stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. – Here we are talking about his physical form and disposition and not about clothing
Rom. 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts
NOTE: God is interested on what’s on the inside; but what we wear is often a gauge of what we are on the inside
Consider how society has changed and what is now accepted as normal in the last 50 years
Your behaviour sets the tone for how others see you and your faith. Being modest in your appearance is just as great a witness to those around you as your words.
One issue many non-Christians have with believers is that they tend to be hypocritical. If you are preaching about purity and modesty to others while wearing revealing clothes you may be seen as a hypocrite. By being modest you allow people to see your inner faith rather than your outer appearance.
1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world –– the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life –– is not of the Father but is of the world.
Gal. 5:13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
CONSIDER 1 Peter 3:3~4 A Christian should wear what is appropriate and stylish for any given occasion, with proper modesty; God will look on the heart of such a woman with approval.
1 Tim. 2:9 in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing,but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.
Some principles are:
(1) maintain the male-female distinction –(balance)
Duet. 22:5 A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman’s garment, for all who do so are an abomination to the LORD your God
Apparel should indicate the sex of the person; men and women are to honor God in who He created us to be
(2) consider the effect our clothing has on our influence
Matt. 5:14~16 A Christian is to be salt and light in this world.
Attire is an important part of our testimony. The way a person dresses is a indication of that persons character and spiritual maturity. Dress for both man or woman should respect the Bible principles of modesty, non-conformed to the fads of the world; and express humility and simplicity. Now, we’re not talking about modest in your neighbour’s eyes, or friend’s, or even family’s–but modest in God’s eyes.
We should set an example in our Churches with how we dress. Clothes should not expose areas of the body that normaly draw attention from the opposite sex. Clothed should not be revealing because of its conforming fit to the body. Also in our appearence we should generally be well shaven, hair reasonably in place as not to look sloppy or uncaring in physical appearance. This also can draw undue attention to yourself. In general your overall appearance should not draw attention to you that would hinder another from focusing their attention to wordhipping the Lord.
(3) make sure our clothing does not “offend” anyone
The world is not interested in living a life patterned after the Word. Likewise a Christian should not be interested in living a life patterned after the world. The unbelievers prefer dress that draws attention to their bodies, which reflects extravagant and changing fashions.
Consider; a man is responsible to guard his mind from impurity and woman is responsible to help prevent the lustful stare. Lust in inexcusable on the man’s part; but if a woman by her apparel or conduct has encouraged it, she also shares in the guilt.
A Christian should not attract undue attention to herself. Clothes should not be provocative or suggestive, should not expose large areas of the human anatomy nor have a conforming fit with suggestive intent.
The Christian should consider how her clothes reveals her body in its normal movements of sitting, standing, bending, etc. Clothes should not be attention getting that would draw attention to self and off of God.
Improper dress should not be a problem for the Christians. The person who is born again, and having taken up his cross to follow Christian should lovingly and joyfully follow the Word.
If a women dresses provocatively, she can cause a man to sin, similarly the Christian man, should seek a godly appearance.
Rom. 14:21 it is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak
Matt 5:28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Rom. 14:23 says, “But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin – teaches that if someone has doubts about something, even if it is lawful they sin if they do it because they go against their conscience
(4) be sure our clothing is modest in God’s sight
Adam and Eve tried to cover their nakedness by the works of their hands. Despite all their works, they were still ashamed and afraid when they met God. He was not satisfied with the clothing they had made to cover their nakedness. God sacrificed an animal and dressed them up. Gen. 3:21 “Also for Adam and his wife the LORD God made tunics of skin, and clothed them” . Here we are reminded that the purpose of clothing is to conceal, not reveal
As any other biblical area of life these principals need to be taught and modelled in the
Church, among God’s chosen people
home, through generational teaching and example
from individual study and meditation of the Word
QUESTION
Are you buying the outfit to attract the opposite sex and draw attention to you?
One way to discern if an outfit is modest is to ask yourself why you are buying it
Remember, it is not Christian like to tempt others through your dress.
It is not a sin to like nice clothes, but it is a sin when the desire for fashion becomes more important than your faith
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