What Shall We Wear?

by Micky Galloway

This is a question many people ask nearly every morning as they dress for work, to relax, etc. Considerations usually vary from such issues as fashion versus practicality. However, when Christians ask this question, other issues must come into consideration. For example, is it modest and is it proper for those professing godliness (cf I Timothy 2:9-10)? With the development of a new water park in the community and temperatures approaching the 100's, it is the season for bare or nearly bare bodies to be publicly exposed in the name of summer. Christians, young and old, must give thought to how we should dress. All need to guard carefully against being seen in public in the 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 her victim. She met him wearing “the attire of a harlot” (Proverbs 7:10). Displays of near nudity have become so commonplace that children grow up viewing it as a normal part of life. Ever hear the argument when you oppose what your children want to wear, “Well, I don't see anything wrong with it”? Still think we aren't influenced by the society around us? Surely, this is a problem Christians must address if we are concerned about modesty issues, preserving our influence for good, and pleasing the Lord.

When God had finished his creation He said it was “very good” (Genesis 1:27-31). Remember, God made the bodies of man and woman attractive to each other. He also created in each a desire for the other sexually. However, from the beginning, God placed boundaries on man and woman, limiting their desires for one another and permitting the fulfillment of those desires only in marriage. Only in marriage can they become “one flesh”; only there is the “bed undefiled”; only there shall a man “looketh upon a woman to lust after her” (cf Genesis 2:18-25; Hebrews 13:4; Matthew 5:27-28).

God has made man responsible. When men and women dress in such a way as promotes inordinate and unlawful urges they promote lasciviousness! The apostle Paul said, “They who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21). When one either carelessly or callously displays their body in such a way to invite and provoke lust they commit sin and share a responsibility in sin committed by others. Jesus warned that “every one that looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). Is there not a two-fold responsibility here? The man is responsible to guard his mind from impurity (cf Philippians 4:8). 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 who is interested in his or her soul's welfare or the welfare of others would wantonly jeopardize that soul.

What should a Christian do? Rather than become upset, think soberly and righteously. When Adam and Eve committed sin in the garden of Eden they sowed fig leaves together to make for themselves aprons (hagorah) (Genesis 3:7-10). This means they made themselves loin coverings. Adam was then as well attired as many today would consider themselves in their swimming attire. Yet, when God approached them in the garden, they hid themselves because, as Adam said, “I was naked.” 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 did not do this to protect them from thorns and elements, but rather to cover 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 his outer garment back on and 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. It is shameful to expose or draw attention to private parts of the body. Exposure of such parts was often a form of judgment intended to shame the wicked (cf Isaiah 3:16-17; 47:1-3). Paul alludes to the fact that some parts are “uncomely” and should be covered (I Corinthians 12:23-24). Indeed, at some point, then, there needs to be a line where it is a shame to cross, there are parts of the body that should remain private.

These principles are timeless and we need to be taught that human attraction is a powerful thing and the appeal generated 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). You see the issue is not swimming, the issue is attire!

“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 appropriate attention to how we dress. Indeed, our clothes do send a message.