What Shall I Wear?

by Micky Galloway

This is a question many people ask nearly every morning as they dress for work, to relax, to mow the yard, etc. Considerations usually vary from such issues as fashion versus practicality. However, when Christians ask, “What shall I wear,” other issues must come into consideration. Is it modest, is it appropriate for those who profess to worship God? The apostle Paul wrote, “In like manner, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefastness and sobriety; not with braided hair, and gold or pearls or costly raiment; but (which becometh women professing godliness) through good works” (cf. I Timothy 2:9-10). Temperatures will soon be soaring. Christians, young and old, must give thought to how we should dress. All need to guard carefully against the revealing, immodest, unchaste, and ungodly attire of the season. Please be reminded, our clothes do send a message.

The promiscuous woman who set a trap for the “simple” young man “void of understanding” knew what kind of clothing would entice him. She met him wearing “the attire of a harlot” (Proverbs 7:10). Often such attire becomes so commonplace that children grow up viewing it as normal. One can hardly go to Walmart or the grocery store without being faced with women whose apparel (or lack of it) is scanty and revealing. Sadly, even “Christians” are involved in this same disregard for modesty as long as they are around the beach, waterpark, or community swimming pool. We preach on II Timothy 2:9-10 and I Peter 3:3-4 and other such passages and some leave and change nothing.

In the beginning, God described His creation as “very good” (Genesis 1:27-31). God made the bodies of man and woman attractive to each other. From the beginning, God placed boundaries on man and woman, permitting the fulfillment of physical desires only in marriage. “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed” (Genesis 2:24-25). “(Let) marriage (be) had in honor among all, and (let) the bed (be) undefiled: for fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4). Jesus said however, “Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt not commit adultery: but I say unto you, that every one that looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28).

When one either carelessly or callously displays their body in such a way to invite lust, they commit sin! They also share in sin committed by others. Is there not a two-fold responsibility here? The man is responsible to guard his mind from impurity (cf. Philippians 4:8), to bring “every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (II Corinthians 10:5). The woman is responsible to help prevent the lewd stare. Though lust is inexcusable on the man’s part, if the woman, by her apparel or conduct, has encouraged it, she shares in the guilt (Proverbs 7:6-27)! No Christian, male or female who is interested in their soul or the soul of others would be so thoughtless.

When Adam and Eve committed sin in the garden of Eden they sowed fig leaves together to make for themselves aprons (hagorah), loin coverings (Genesis 3:7-10). Adam was then as well attired as many today would consider themselves in their swimming attire. Yet, when God called unto the man, “Where art thou?” Adam said, “I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.” Adam was not totally unclothed because he wore the apron he had made, but God, not denying that Adam was naked, said, “Who told thee that thou wast naked…?” The Lord made for Adam and his wife “coats of skins and clothed them” (Genesis 3:21). The Hebrew word for coats (kethoneth) indicated a garment commonly reaching to knee. God covered their nakedness.

Consider also Peter’s reaction when he learned that Jesus was on the beach (John 21:7ff). Peter had laid aside his outer garment while he was working catching fish. Though he had on his inner garment (tunic), he was regarded as “naked.” Yet, when eager to see the Lord and unwilling to wait until the boat came to shore, Peter put on his outer garment, dove into the sea, and swam to shore. When Peter swam to present himself before the Lord, he put on more clothes, not less. Peter evidently did not want to approach the Lord without proper attire.

Human attraction is a powerful thing and the appeal generated by what we wear must be respected and treated carefully. When women adorn themselves in clothing that reveals the most alluring parts of the body or when men dress so as to provoke impure thoughts, surely we are not thinking and living soberly (cf. Romans 12:3; Titus 2:12).

“I want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety … appropriate for women who profess to worship God” (I Timothy 2:9,10 NIV). Let us give careful attention to how we dress. Indeed, our clothes do send a message.