WHAT SHALL I WEAR?

What Shall I Wear?

Throughout man’s history on earth, clothing has been influenced by many different factors including culture, climate and the weather. In some areas of the world, clothing hasn’t changed for thousands of years and in other areas, clothing seems to change every generation. This is relevant today as we see clothing in most of the world changing about every ten years according to fashion trends and the desires of the youthful population in every nation.  

This is not a book about clothing fashion trends but a book about clothing that Christians wear. The problem or issues with a Christian’s clothing is not with their need to wear certain clothing due to weather or wearing clothing according to their culture nor even what color clothing to wear but it deals with clothing that is appropriate for a Christian to wear. Unfortunately, with technology today, it really doesn’t even matter where a person lives because TV, Movies, and the Internet all portray what the world is wearing and it influences Christians around the “world”. So with that being said, let’s start with a scripture that explains what God thinks about the “world” and it’s influence:

James 4:4

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 

This scripture plainly states God’s viewpoint of the “world” and that he does not like it’s ways otherwise why would we become God’s enemy for being friends with it? If we want to please God then we must obey:

1 Samuel 15:22

And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 

Who controls clothing fashion trends? The “world” controls it and so doing what the “world” does puts Christians in a precarious position because if we are not careful, we can become an actual enemy of God! Doing what the “world” does is considered “friends with the world,” so, we must understand and consider God’s mindset concerning the “world”! Otherwise, we will find ourselves on the opposite side of God and no Christian wants to be facing God as an enemy. However, Christians are doing what the “world” does everyday without ever considering that it displeases God, otherwise he would not of called the world an enemy. What displeases God with the “world” today is that it is greatly influenced by Satan and by an antichrist mindset. If you don’t believe me then read this scripture:

2 Corinthians 4:4

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 

Instantly, this scripture should start to help you understand what God is speaking about when he says you are his enemy if you are “friends with the world”. We see plainly that not only are the non-Christians in this world governed by another god (satan) but people’s minds are blinded and that includes a Christian if they allow it. A lot of the troubles that a Christian goes through is because they don’t know how to separate from the “world” and subsequently, they act exactly the way the world behaves or act the way the world thinks and even dress the way the “world” dresses. The “world” changes a Christian’s thought process and “programs” them how to think and dress by education, by movies and by technology. If the world blinds Christians and non-Christians alike then how do we survive? We survive easily by knowing God’s Word and knowing how God thinks and then knowing what he wants us to do. The first thing God did was separate his people (Israel) from the “world” and he even called the whole world “dogs” which seems harsh, however, man has a “beast” mentality without the Mind of Christ (1  Cor 2:16).

Matthew 7:6

Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. 

Thank God for Jesus Christ so that we are no longer considered “dogs”, however, we must understand that this is God’s viewpoint if you are not saved and recreated in God’s image and likeness (Gen 1:26). Again, I am not trying to sound harsh, however, it has to be explained by this manner in order for you to understand why God would actually call you his enemy for being “friends with the world”! What is the mindset of the world today? All we have to do is look at what is on TV, what is in the Movies, what is on the Internet, what is in our Educational Systems or what is in our culture to easily find this “worldly mindset”. By this examination, we get a better understanding that a lot of it is antichrist and full of immorality, with lust and works of the flesh (Gal 5:19-21).

However, my main focus is not what is on TV or in the movie theatre, or what a Christian’s culture is or even what part of the world a Christian lives in but my focus is what the world is conditioning the heart of Christians to do. The “world” is telling every man, woman and child what clothes to wear that will make them look sexy and desirable. And to reveal portions of their bodies that are supposed to make them dynamic looking and popular, however, this antichrist mindset is really creating a fashion look that brings attention to body parts that will only cause lustful glances and even unwanted advances by other persons. To those who are willing, the “world” purposefully dresses them in tight fitting clothing which leaves nothing to be imagined by the opposite sex. It convinces females to wear low cut blouses that exhibit their breasts in a brash and explicit view for all to see.  

This is wrong and immoral for Christians to wear such clothing because the Word of God states a Christian needs to be “modest”:

1 Timothy 2:9

In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;  

Definition of Modest Clothing - refers to a fashion trend in women of wearing less skin-revealing clothes, especially in a way that satisfies their spiritual and stylistic requirements for reasons of faith, religion or personal preference.

God has a reason for this “Modesty” as it keeps the eyes of those individuals that have little self-control from looking upon those body parts that would bring about the “lust of the flesh” within themselves. In the Church, this way of “Modest” dressing, keeps other Christians from sinning until they learn Faith, Self-Control and how to overcome their weaknesses. Not to mention, as husbands, we do not want our wives lusted upon by other men. So, as loving and protective husbands, we must help avoid this by having our wives dress modestly and appropriately. Furthermore, we want our children to have good role models on how to dress modestly which comes by the example of seasoned Christian men and women in the Church:

Titus 2:3

The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 

Titus 2:2

That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.  

It is for the grown up, seasoned men and women in the Church to be a visible example to teach the other younger men and women in the Church how to act and present themselves as a Christians! Notice Titus 2:3 mentions “as becometh holiness” which I want to direct your attention to the word “holiness”.

1 Peter 1:16

Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Ephesians 1:4

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

2 Corinthians 6:17 

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

Holy defined - dedicated or consecrated to God.

Dedicated defined - exclusively allocated to or intended for a particular service or purpose.

We can see that the word “Holy” means to be “exclusive” or “separate” and we see this next scripture which indicates God wants us to be separate from this world, not to look and act like the world:

1 Corinthians 2:12

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

We Christians are meant to be an example of God’s presence on this Earth and are to be separate from the world. If we are to be righteous and holy not only before God but before the “world” than we have to act and look different. I am not talking about dressing like “Pilgrims”, however, I am talking about being reserved and modest in the way we appear as not to bring about an accusation against us. This is because as soon as we mention the name of Jesus, we are immediately judged by the “World” as they are trying to find a reason not to believe our testimony when we open our mouths to talk about God. Wearing clothing that is lustful, tight and otherwise “worldly” is definitely not a good presentation of Christ nor the Gospel!

I especially know it is hardest for Christian women to adjust the way they dress because the Western Culture has programmed them since they were little girls to dress provocatively. To dress provocatively means that a female must wear clothing that specifically enhances (4) major parts of her body which are her breasts, buttocks, hips and thighs. They are bombarded with fashion magazine ads, TV shows and by their female peers with the idea that the tighter the pants, the lower the cut on their blouses and the shorter their skirt is the way to gain control, to have fun, to feel good and to attract men. Unless a woman was raised in a Christian home, she will be taught constantly while growing up that she can’t feel sexy or feminine without wearing these types of clothing. In essence, these types of clothes are meant only for one thing and that is to attract the opposite sex and in order to do this, the clothing has to elicit feelings of lust in the opposite sex. A simple example is the only reason why a female’s clothing line is designed in this way is to draw a man’s attention through sexual attraction. We are not supposed to have sexual relations with anyone except with our spouse through Holy Marriage so my question would be why are married men and woman wearing clothing that is supposed to attract the opposite sex? The answer is we are not supposed to be, however, many Christian men and women say that I am only dressing this way for my spouse and no one else! Unfortunately, a Christian dressing for their spouse in a sexy manner allows the whole “world” to see it also which brings us back to what should be left in the marriage bedroom should stay in the bedroom and is not for the world to gawk at.

Why would a Christian man or woman dress sexy and provocatively for their spouses in the grocery store when their spouse is not even with them? Why is a Christian man or woman dressing sexy and provocatively for their spouse at work when their spouse is not with them? Why is a Christian man or woman dressing sexy and provocatively for their spouse at Church where all their brothers and sisters in Christ are actively able to see what should be only viewed in the marriage bedroom?

I personally don’t think the argument about dressing sexy for your spouse is right at all and unfortunately, Christians say that they dress this way because it gives them confidence and self pride. It is a decision that every Christian has to make, do you dress for righteousness sake doing it for God or are you dressing like the “world” for your own self gratification? I know for a fact that you can dress righteously and appropriately without dressing with the mindset of the “world”.

I also hear as a Pastor that if you are single, you have to dress to attract the opposite sex and I say, “who are you trying to attract”? Are you trying to attract an unholy “worldly” man or woman that is strictly attracted to you for the purpose of lust”?  Or do you want a Holy man or woman of God that is attracted to you for your relationship with God and your righteousness? Keep what should only be revealed in the sanctity of your marriage within the bedroom and subsequently protect yourself from unrighteousness and temptation. The only purpose for jeans that are so tight that you can see a person’s butt crack and their sexual organ is obviously for sexual lust and is a “mindset of the world” which we have to do away with as Christians.

In today’s world, it can be hard and challenging sometimes to find clothing that is not designed for lust but it can be done. I know many Christians that dress professionally and elegantly without being “worldly” and they easily do it modestly. If a man or woman wants to wear pants than buy pants that are loose fitting so as not to bring lustful attention to yourself. If your posterior (butt) is a bit bigger than most and it is harder to find loose fitting pants, then buy a long shirt or blouse that covers any of the tight pant areas. Blouses for women can also be a challenge but wearing a matching shirt underneath that covers your breasts work well and make sure to buy a shirt long enough to cover the belly area. Buy skirts that are long enough not to reveal your thighs and underwear when you sit down and keep away from shorts that are tight. Men, do not buy pants that are so tight that you show what is in the front area of your pants and if needed get a long shirt that covers these areas.

Dress your children the same way so they do not attract sexual attention to themselves as they are your precious young ones and with the way the world is today, pedophiles are lurking about. Don’t forget that teenagers will go with the fashion fads in school and this almost always trends towards sexual and provocative clothing which must be monitored. There is no need to further enhance a teenager’s already strong hormones while they are among their peers at school and other functions by dressing with immoral clothing.  

2 Corinthians 5:20

Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 

Whether we realize it or not, we represent the Kingdom of God and Jesus Christ by our actions, by our words, by our deeds and even by our appearance. This book is not meant to condemn or judge any Christian that reads it but is meant to help them learn what God desires of his people and how to be righteous even in how they dress. The old saying “Dress For Success” goes a long way in realizing how to be professional and successful in many areas of our life! As the title of this book says, I hope you now have an idea of “what you shall wear”! Thanks for reading.