HOW SHOULD A CHRISTIAN DRESS?

  Fashion is basically the most popular mode of expression. Fashion reflects age, occupation, sex, location, culture, beliefs and social class. But in the body of Christ, this subject is one of the controversial issues, and the controversy surrounding this subject is a result of differences in the perception of individuals, to ascertain which is right and which is not. Though it's a good intention, the approach reflects sentiment.

  Every fashion designer designs based on cues and inspiration they gathered throughout a period of time. These cues can include popular culture, celebrities, music, nature or something else entirely.

  Every Christian should be eager to live for the glory of the king alone, they want to dress not to create an impression about themselves or gratify the lust of the flesh, the eyes or the pride of life, but to reflect the beauty of the king of glory who reside on the inside as modest as possible. 

  As a result of controversy on the subject of "fashion" and "Christian conduct" different denominations hold to different fashion standards and beliefs without unified principles. These differences have been used as part of the division tools the devil uses on the body of Christ.


One of the tools for division is confusion. Whenever you see confusion, it is because such situation has not been subjected to the light of God's word. "1Corinthians 14:33 (KJV)  For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints."

But this is not the intention of God. Jesus said in "Mark 3:25 (KJV)  And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand." Jesus wants His church to stand as one body.

  Jesus is the word of God, he is the light of men, and the essence of light is to eradicate darkness (confusion). He declared himself to be the way, the truth and the life. This establishes the essence of giving attention to his words on controversial matters, instead of establishing personal perception.

  Before we proceed, let's look back a bit into history and see how the confusion all started... Research revealed that during World War II, women working in factories often wore pants(trousers) but usually switched back to skirts off the clock (after work).

  Before men started wearing the crotch-covering legging we call trousers, everybody wore skirts in one form or fashion. Examples are loincloths, tunics, togas, kilts, etc. And why not? Skirts are far simpler to construct and facilitate more cooling airflow to the nether regions, which would've been a godsend in the pre-air conditioning days. But then, thanks to the rise of horseback infantries trousers, also breeches, codpieces, tights, etc. became the below-the-belt manly uniform of the masculine masses.

  Western women, meanwhile, continued wearing skirts, and not just simple wrap-around numbers. We're talking multi-layered, heavy, floor-length ensembles often further supported and puffed out with the assistance of cage crinoline, petticoats, bustles, or other clunky foundation garments, depending on the era.

  During the 1840s, women started wearing trousers. this period, the United States experience an era of reform and this led to a feminist movement who was advocating "gender equality". "though, as a matter of truth, God created genders equally but different in roles" but the devil succeeded in deceiving them into starting a movement that has cost many their homes. This movement later gained momentum, women found themselves hindered to feel equal with men by the peculiar obstacles, interestingly, this obstacle was their dress.

  The first woman who wore trousers openly was Mary E. Walker. She never married and in 1897 she established a women's colony called "Adamless Eve"

  Therefore, due to this rebellious intention which the fashion style evolved from, some Christian denominations decided not to promote it not because it is the law of Moses, but because of its figure. "rebellion" This style of fashion becomes the symbol for feminist movement which renounce the divine organogram established in 1cor11:3. And with the intention of not supporting this movement, they decided not to support the wearing of trousers by women not because they are going to hell if they do, but simply because of their references to the written word of God on gender matters the feminist movement failed to accept.

  Also, some denominations believed if a woman wears trousers she is going against the law of God in Deut22:5. And they concluded wearing trousers could disqualify women from entering heaven.

  I can go on and on with research on this subject, but because we can't get the direction we seek from research alone, but with the word of God.

  Apostle Paul warns Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:7-8 (KJV)  But refuse profane and old wives fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

  Before I proceed, I want to briefly address this account recorded in "Deuteronomy 22:5 (KJV)  The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are an abomination unto the LORD thy God." This is the verse many refer to on any issue regarding this subject.
If we want to use that as a landing spot for determining how a Christian should dress, we would be making lots of mistakes and nullifying the truth and the realities of the new birth as revealed in the new testament... The scripture established this in
Romans 8:3-4 (KJV)  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit...

  And also, the intention of God in that verse wasn't what many interpreted it to be... As a matter of truth,  men and women used similar clothing to "cloak or tunic" in that verse, God was only striking gender differences just as he did in 1Cor11:3.

  At this point, I will like you to ask yourself, "why do I dress the way I dress?" also, don't forget that this is not the only law in the old testament, you have a lot of them to fulfil if you really want to establish your righteousness by the law... See more in Lev12:1-5, Lev15:19-30, Exo22:13-21, Lev19:19 and also remember "James 2:10 (KJV) For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all."

  Am I saying you should dress any way you want? Never! In the kingdom, we have a standard and that standard is what I want to communicate to you in this piece.

    In describing the mode of dress appropriate for women, the apostle Paul exhorts them to dress “modestly” with “decency and propriety” and then goes on to contrast immodest dress with the good deeds which are appropriate for those who profess to be true worshipers of God (1 Timothy 2:9–10). While the Bible only specifically addresses the need for women to dress modestly, the same teaching would apply to men in principle. Both men and women should bring glory to God in their manner of dress.

   Modesty in the way we dress is not just for the church; it is to be the standard for all Christians at all times. The key to understanding what constitutes modesty in dress is to examine the attitudes and intents of the heart. Those whose hearts are inclined toward God will make every effort to dress modestly, decently, and appropriately. Those whose hearts are inclined toward self will dress in a manner designed to draw attention to themselves with little or no regard for the consequences to themselves or others.

   A godly woman endeavours to do everything with a “God-ward” perspective. She knows that God wants His people to be concerned for His glory and the spiritual state of their brothers and sisters in Christ. If a woman professes to be a Christian yet she dresses in a way that will unduly draw attention to her body, she is a poor witness of the One who bought her soul by dying for her on the cross. She is forgetting that her body has been redeemed by Christ and is now the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). She is telling the world that she determines her own worth on a purely physical basis and that her attractiveness depends on how much of her body she reveals to them. Further, by dressing in an immodest fashion, displaying her body for men to lust after, she causes her brothers in Christ to sin, something condemned by God (Matthew 5:27–29). Proverbs 7:10 mentions a woman “dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent”—here, the woman’s heart condition is displayed by her manner of dress.

   The Scripture says that we are to dress modestly, but what exactly does that mean in modern society? Does a woman have to be covered from head to toe? There are cults and religions in the world that demand this of women. But is that the biblical meaning of modesty? Again, we have to go back to the matter of the attitudes of the heart. If a woman’s heart is inclined toward godliness, she will wear clothing that is neither provocative nor revealing in public, clothing that does not reflect negatively upon her personal testimony as a child of God. Everyone else in her circle may be dressing immodestly, but she resists the temptation to go along with the crowd. She avoids clothing designed to draw attention to her body and cause men to lust, for she is wise enough to know that type of attention only cheapens her. The idea of causing men to sin against God because of her dress is abhorrent to her because she seeks to love and honour God and wants others to do the same.

   Modesty in dress reveals a modesty and godliness of the heart, attitudes that should be the desire of all women (and men) who live to please and honour God.

   I leave with you this note.
"1Corinthians 8:9 (KJV)  But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weak."

Jesus' concept of fashion is "Love and modesty"


References: Life script.com, stuffmomnevertoldyou.com, holiness messenger.com, gotquestions.com.

Written by: Peter O. Olutoyese.