For young Christians, this conflict between the Word and the World may become the occasion of a temporary personal struggle which can distort the whole issue of dress entirely out of proportion to its true spiritual significance. This is especially true when the connection is not made between Biblical principles, on the one hand, and the traditions or convictions of the church on the other. Young people must know the difference between these.

Because church traditions are at times given the same weight as Biblical commands, the issue of appropriate dress appears to be, and sometimes is, simply an argument about man-made rules. Many have rejected the church’s guidelines for dress, seeing them as irrelevant traditions, because they have not been shown the underlying Biblical principles for them. The difference between Biblical principle and the traditions or convictions of the church should be made plain. Knowing the difference will give greater freedom to accept both.

While it is true that God’s Word and this present world present conflicting points of view about dress, it is also true that they agree on one thing:

THE CLOTHES YOU WEAR COMMUNICATE A MESSAGE!

Fashion expert John T. Molloy said, “What you wear signals what you are. Your clothes speak a body language. You can elicit any effect you desire through the way you dress. You can look successful or impoverished, honest or sinister, sexy or puritanical…all depending on what you wear.” The business world uses this principle of dress to portray confidence, leadership, honesty and professionalism in its executives and sales staff. The fallen world uses styles crafted to portray a message of lust and rebellion. Scripture often portrays the character, attitude, or personality of an individual through a description of his or her clothing. The Bible encourages us to use this principle in a positive way.

In today’s world, the message communicated is often a moral one. A person can convey the language of his soul through what he wears. He can make an outward statement about his inner-held values just by the way he adorns himself. This explains why opinions are often formed about people simply based on the way they dress. More seriously, moral judgments are often made about people based on how they dress. Clothing that overly accentuates or exposes the body can bring with it a moral judgment about a person’s character. Teenagers with baggy, falling pants, heavy chains, studs in their ears and lips, brightly colored hair, with a cap perched on their head in the wrong direction, send out a message that often gives them a low rating in areas of honesty, industry and morality. Some styles of clothing are made deliberately to convey the sexual perversion of the wearer. Clothing styles that “push the edge” makes those in mainstream civilization to be nervous or uncomfortable around the wearer. Clothes do communicate a message!

THE WORLD HAS A MESSAGE TO COMMUNICATE

Designers must address the need for clothes that are useful, appealing and profitable. To insure that they succeed, they are guided by four principles. First, the utility principle. This principle addresses the need for various types of clothing—for example, uniforms, athletic attire, and seasonal clothing, etc. Second, the hierarchical principle. This guides the designer to design clothing in such a way that appeals to human pride. Designers seek to create styles and options that enable the wearer to feel proud and haughty. Third, the autonomy principle. The point here is to design clothing that gives the wearer the ability to feel free from all inhibitions, giving him a sense of total self expression. This allows the wearer to rebel against societal and Biblical norms, shocking his observer with the clothes that he wears. Fourth, the seduction principle. Sex appeal is the strongest motive of all in designing clothing, particularly women’s clothing. The point here is obvious. Create clothing that accentuates the sexuality of the wearer and allows for exposure of the body in areas that arouse sexual desire in the observer. These areas of exposure are called erotic zones. They are shifted from year to year to maintain sexual interest. Designers go from see-through clothes to a tight wrap around, to mini skirts, to long skirts with long slits, or to a dress with serious cleavage exposure. The last three of these principles are utilized to the extreme to communicate a message— the message of a fallen world.

GOD HAS A MESSAGE TO COMMUNICATE

God doesn’t make the issue of what a Christian wears the greatest issue in the Bible. To elevate it to such a place is dangerous. But He does raise the issue and lays down principles to govern what is appropriate for a Christian to wear. To apply these principles in our lives is not legalism, but evidence of love for and obedience to God and His Word.

Before I offer this list of Biblical principles, let me preface them with some statements that are drawn from a logical study of God’s viewpoint on the subject.

(1) God speaks through basic principles rather than rules when it comes to what we wear.

(2) These principles are given in the context of Christian growth rather than as evidence of conversion.

(3) Individuals and churches are responsible to take these principles and apply them to their lives through personal convictions (individual) or collective convictions (churches).

(4) The desire to look nice is legitimate and God-given. An attractive and neat appearance is glorifying to God and an asset in all walks of life.

(5) The love of colors and variety is a God-given part of a person’s personality.

(6) Attention to current modes of dress is not necessarily wrong. (If so, we would have to adopt a uniform or settle on an antiquated style of dress.) If current practices and Christian principle disagree, we must side with Christian principle.

Biblical Principles for Dress

(1) The principle of covering the body rather than exposing it (1 Tim. 2:9). Clothes should never be worn that expose (see through), or unduly accentuate body parts or fail to cover our nakedness (Biblically, we are naked when we expose the torso or thigh).

(2) The principle to dress so as to identify the sexes rather than confuse them (Deut. 22:5).

(3) The principle of stressing the inward rather than the outward ( I Tim. 2:9; I Pet. 3:3). The Bible tells us our beauty should not depend on outward dress, but should flow from within from our spirit. This is not to minimize what we wear, but rather to give it a very special place. The way we dress should be a servant to us, used to reflect the grace of God within.

(4) The principle of moderation and simplicity rather than (p25)· ·(p21) ostentation and showiness (1 Timothy 2:8-10; 1 Pet. 3:3-4). Christians should seek to dress modestly and moderately. They should avoid an ostentatious display of riches, either to show off their social standing or to call attention to their person. All extremes should be avoided. In these two passages, the Bible clearly prohibits the ornamentation of the body. Christians should be careful that they do not invest an unreasonable amount in clothes.

(5) The principle to be transformed by the Word rather than to be conformed to the world (Rom. 12:2; 2 Cor. 6:11-71). The Bible is quite clear about separation, and that call to separation will ultimately find its way into the way we dress.

(6) The principle of propriety (Rom. 14:16). As a matter of good culture, some forms of clothing should not be worn in certain places and at certain times, yet they may be appropriate under other conditions.

As Christians, we are guided by the leadership of the Holy Spirit and a sincere desire to please God and obey His Word. All earnest Christians want to reflect God’s objectives and Biblical values in both their inner and outer person. We should be motivated at all times to communicate the message of godliness and holiness in our walk, talk, and spirit.

In evaluating this matter of what we wear, we should ask ourselves these two questions: First, “What do I want to say with my life?” Second, “Do the clothes I wear communicate the Biblical values by which I seek to live?”

—Michael Avery is president of God’s Bible School and College.