New Identity Magazine

God in focus. World in scope.

  • About
  • Grow
    • Spotlight: In Perspective
    • Growth & Maturity
    • Foundation
    • Practical Application
    • Jargon
  • Connect
    • Community
    • Discovering God
    • God Talk
    • Life Together
  • Live
    • Give Back
    • People
    • Culture & Creativity
    • Careers & Callings
  • Back Issues
  • Write
    • Submit an Article
    • Writer’s Guidelines
    • House Style Guide
    • Content Submissions Agreement
    • Jargon Substitutions
  • Shop
  • Donate
  • Contact

IS THERE A CHRISTIAN DRESS CODE?

By Kelli Ward 5 Comments

My mother grew up in the old school Southern tradition where women were not allowed to wear pants to church or even outside of church. Also, they had to carry around a handkerchief to cover their legs when they sat down. To me, that tradition seems a little dated, although Deuteronomy 22:5 reads, “A woman must not wear men’s clothing, nor a man wear women’s clothing…” Once again we see the tricky task of interpreting some Old Testament scriptures from the law to our current circumstances. What if a Christian woman is a construction worker, can she not then wear pants? Must she always wear a skirt? This raises the question, is there such a thing as a Christian dress code? And if so, should we still follow it today?

As we grow and learn more about being a Christian, many things change. Some smokers quit smoking, some cursers quit cursing, and maybe negative thinkers take action to combat their negativity. Can I be blunt for a moment? Before becoming a Christian, to make it plain, I used to dress rather provocatively. Short skirts, tight, tight jeans, with an attitude to match, but the moment Christ came into my life, I was, as the scripture says, “a new creature, old things are passed away, behold, new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Does this mean that I began to only wear skirts? No, but I did begin to realize which things were acceptable and unacceptable to God.

My jeans got a little looser, and my attitude got better, and in all this, I was reminded of 1 Timothy 2:9-10, “I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.” Notice that in this scripture, Paul does not mention dresses or skirts only, but he says to clothe ourselves modestly, which by definition means neither boldly nor assertively. Each generation must reinterpret these texts for their own times. Gold, pearls, elaborate hairstyles, and expensive clothes are not necessarily immodest in our contemporary society. Paul is not trying to regulate women’s dress but speak to the heart and attitude of whether they want the attention of men or God.

As new believers we are thirsty for more knowledge of God, which comes over time, and we may have told everyone in our circle and beyond about our shiny new relationship with Christ. In doing so, we are now ambassadors for him and must present ourselves as such. Our outside should not distract or take away from the good work we are doing for and with God in the world. Basically, do not let your clothing choices steal God’s thunder or misrepresent God. Also, we must always remember that beauty is on the inside. “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight” (1 Peter 3:3-4). Ideally our lives reveal things about God to others. So what does our clothing say about God?

Let’s stretch our minds for a moment. There is an old song by Whodini called Freaks Come out at Night that details the events that occur during a wild night out on the town. Keep this song in mind when reading this next scripture. “Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy” (Romans 13:13). One can imagine what kind of clothing both men and women wear in such a scene at night. This scripture urges Christians to dress in the night as they would in the day. Now, we may jazz it up a bit by throwing on heels, bejeweled jeans, or an extra starched shirt at night, but we should always carry the same attitude, demeanor, and grace in the night as we would in the day.

Ideally our lives reveal things about God to others. So what does our clothing say about God?

Another scripture that further clarifies the topic of dress for Christians is Matthew 5:28; “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” This explains why one should dress modestly. Just thinking lustful thoughts is a sin in and of itself, so why in a world that is full of sin, would one dress in a way to create more sin? Not limited to dress only, in order to avoid the trap of lust, a new believer may decide to stop going to clubs, bars, drinking heavily, and engaging in any such behavior that might be against God.

Matthew also says, “Do not worry about what you will wear.” (Matthew 6:25) Here, the assumption is that people ought not worry about having clothes to wear. It’s telling of our social context that most of us even have a choice about what we will wear. In this sense, some Christians desire to remove focus from wearing clothes as fashion items and to emphasize simplicity in a countercultural way. Yet, even in the ancient world, one’s clothes said something about who they were. So there is a tension here. How much do we use clothing to express who we are, while not being overly particular about styles, brands and designs? In some social contexts clothing is something the body needs, in others, because of abundance, clothing is seen as merely decoration.

Romans 13:14 reads, “Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” This scripture helps us realize that it’s not just about what the believer is wearing, but it’s about the very foundation of his or her belief. Clearly, there is not a Christian dress code per se, but there is a command to always “put on” Jesus Christ. In doing so we will understand how God wants us to dress, talk, look and be.

More importantly, God understands what we need when we need it.

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you – you of little faith” (Matthew 6:28-30).

He would not command a woman who works in construction to wear a skirt instead of pants, knowing that wearing such would put her in harm’s way. “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful, all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify” (1 Corinthians 10:23). I encourage you to continue to study God’s word, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide you in what is appropriate to wear, and for all of us, that our outside would look just like our inside – holy and acceptable.

Photo Credit: Angelo González | Flickr (Creative Commons)

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSaveSaveSave

Share with friendsShare on facebook
Facebook
Share on pinterest
Pinterest
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on reddit
Reddit
Share on google
Google
Share on email
Email

Filed Under: Culture & Creativity, Live Tagged With: Issue 12

Related Posts

  • SHOULD CHRISTIANS USE BIRTH CONTROL?SHOULD CHRISTIANS USE BIRTH CONTROL?
  • TURNING CONFRONTATION INTO CLOSENESSTURNING CONFRONTATION INTO CLOSENESS
  • THE WHEELS ON THE BUS – AND THE BLESSINGS – GO ‘ROUND AND ‘ROUNDTHE WHEELS ON THE BUS – AND THE BLESSINGS – GO ‘ROUND AND ‘ROUND
  • TASTE AND SEETASTE AND SEE
  • IN PURSUIT OF INTIMACY: PRAYERIN PURSUIT OF INTIMACY: PRAYER
  • ARE CHRISTIANS ANTI-HOMOSEXUAL?ARE CHRISTIANS ANTI-HOMOSEXUAL?

Comments

  1. Simon Dannie India says

    January 28, 2020 at 7:26 am

    Not very useful.

    Reply
  2. Aulbert West says

    August 18, 2022 at 1:02 am

    Good information. Scripture quoted and explained.

    Reply
  3. Steven Troyer says

    February 22, 2023 at 6:16 pm

    “Attitude.
    Demeanor.
    Grace.”
    These eclipse the particulars of our appearance and the need for obsession with them. While I am happy to be in a fellowship with a somewhat traditional dress expectations, your willingness to apply yourself and share here is a blessing.

    Reply
  4. Jonnacie says

    June 12, 2023 at 10:26 pm

    Thank you for the info and scriptures. I’m being urged to wear skirts and dresses at a church I’ve been going to for 3 months now. I would rather dress in slacks but I continue to be told that slacks and pants are made for men. It’s not like I never wear dresses but I enjoy to have options. I promised to buy some new clothes for church once I saved up but they refuse to accept me as I am.

    Reply
  5. kolawole Animasaun says

    August 21, 2023 at 6:44 pm

    This is a good discussion and very central when it comes to Chrisitan outward appearance and worship of God. Time and season do change, but the word of God is not changing with time. It stands forever, and so what God has commanded stands forever. What sustain Christianity is the obedience to the word of God continuously.
    Consider our present situation in America and all over the world in respect to Christianity. Due to lack of ability and continuity of upholding the words of God has not made Christianity. to be what it ought to be. There is clear disobedience to God’s command in term of Chrisitan appearance. Christianity has been modernized and everything watered down.
    Church really needs revival of obedience, righteousness and real salvation. We hardly know the different between Chrisitan and non-Christian when it comes to dressing.
    The Lord will show us mercy and revive us in Jesus’ name.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Current Issue

Current Issue

Read Now

No Fields Found.

newidentitymag

New Identity | Exploring Faith
We hope you enjoy the new issue! Check out the lin We hope you enjoy the new issue! Check out the link in our bio! Happy Fall/Winter! 🍁
We're looking for volunteer writers to contribute We're looking for volunteer writers to contribute to the next issue! If you're interested in writing on this topic, please leave us a comment! ✨
We're looking for volunteer writers to contribute We're looking for volunteer writers to contribute to the next issue! If you're interested in writing on this topic, please leave us a comment! ✨
How should we be using our money? - We're looking How should we be using our money? - We're looking for volunteer writers to contribute to the next issue! If you're interested in writing on this topic, please leave us a comment!
We're looking for volunteer writers to contribute We're looking for volunteer writers to contribute to the next issue! If you're interested in writing on this topic, please leave us a comment!
We're looking for volunteer writers to contribute We're looking for volunteer writers to contribute to the next issue! If you're interested in writing on the topic of praying continually and what that can look like in our fast-paced society, please leave us a comment! 😊
We're looking for volunteer writers to contribute We're looking for volunteer writers to contribute to the next issue! If you're interested in writing on this topic, please leave us a comment! ✨
Happy Spring! Enjoy the new issue! #linkinbio Happy Spring! Enjoy the new issue! #linkinbio
Our striving to be like Jesus or do his work on ou Our striving to be like Jesus or do his work on our own is in vain. We can never hope to achieve the same level that Jesus was on while we are still here on Earth. We’re like little kids, struggling just to walk. But that’s why Jesus gave us an example of redeemed followers in the form of the Apostles, who were his close group of students here on Earth. He chose a group of broken, sinful men, and ultimately shaped them into the group responsible for continuing his ministry here on Earth. ⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: Tim VanDeWalker in "Running By Example" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
"Do your little bit of good where you are; it's th "Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world." –Desmond Tutu
The Bible tells us to live in the world, but not t The Bible tells us to live in the world, but not to become like it. The New Living Translation puts it this way, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think” (Rom. 12:2a). Some have interpreted this as an instruction to reject anything that isn’t explicitly Christian. But I don’t think that’s what this verse is getting at. I think it means much more.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: Lindsey Beharry in "Choosing Wisely" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
If you desire to serve, seek to form groups withou If you desire to serve, seek to form groups without age distinction. Maybe you want to form a group in your church. Avoid just inviting members from your age group. Seek out people older and younger than you to invite to meet together. Find that person who sits alone and talk to her or him. Instead of a focus on building groups that have the same characteristics to “relate” with one another, you center your discussion in the work of Christ. He will bring the group together. ⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: Russell Almand in "Community and Age Diversity" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
"If we put our faith in temporal things, they will "If we put our faith in temporal things, they will inevitably let us down. They were never meant to be enough for us. Not alone. When Barnum finally does hit bottom, he recognizes that his heart has been led astray, fooled into thinking that fame or fortune could satisfy him."⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: @slimkeman in "The Greatest Showman" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
"Porn. We are only now beginning to realize the ex "Porn. We are only now beginning to realize the extent of its effects on the brain, relationships, and society at a time when sexually explicit content is just a click away. Christians have recognized pornography’s negative impact for decades, yet it is still often considered a “male” problem within the Church. This can leave women who struggle with porn addiction feeling isolated and alone. The organization SheRecovery (formerly Dirty Girls Ministries) aims to change that and has become a resource for women with porn addiction. You can read more about their ministry at the link in our bio. ⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: Lisa Gagnon in "Dirty Girls Ministries" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
"The presence of my sin reminds me of my great nee "The presence of my sin reminds me of my great need for grace, and good works are the outpouring of a grateful heart; being a good child is not a means of earning the favor of God."⁠
⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: Sally Blotzer in "Forgiving Failure" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
"As Christians, we identify ourselves not only by "As Christians, we identify ourselves not only by how we handle our daily lives, much like those around us, but also by an added component: our faith. How we pray and worship and spend time with our fellow followers provides additional meaning to our lives."⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: Matthew Hamilton in "Does Your Form Determine Your Function?" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
📷: Photo by Lum3n from Pexels⁠
Often I picture Jesus telling us to love others an Often I picture Jesus telling us to love others and not to judge. I forget that when he said, “Come follow me,” he wasn’t just inviting us to a strict set of rules but to a real and exciting life whether you turn out to be a pastor, a doctor, designer or simply “Dad.” Sometimes I forget one of his main messages was that he came to give us a better life than we could ever dream of—life to the fullest. Jesus wasn’t locking us down to a vocation or job title. It’s as if he was saying, “Real, vibrant life is available to you now. Following me, loving me and living like me is your real calling…the rest is just there to aid you in following, loving and living.”⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: Wendy Van Eyck in "Living For A Purpose" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
Like Morpheus, I want to “show you how deep the Like Morpheus, I want to “show you how deep the rabbit hole goes.” There is yet another parallel between the Christian story and The Matrix, simultaneously the most foundational and the most captivating. It’s that something which is missing, something which is not quite right with the world. You can’t quite put your finger on it, but you know that it’s there. At the outset of the first film, Neo is searching for it. Trinity asserts that “it’s the question that drives us.” Morpheus claims that “you can see it when you look out your window or when you turn on your television. You can feel it when you go to work, when you go to church, when you pay your taxes.” The question is: What if I’ve only ever scratched the surface of all that life has to offer? What if there is a deeper, truer current of reality, ever-present behind all of my life’s experiences, to which I might awaken at any moment?⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: @slimkeman in "Tumbling Down The Rabbit Hole" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
"I’ve always been intrigued by Augustine because "I’ve always been intrigued by Augustine because we all struggle with temptations to sin. And we all struggle to live in a way that honors God. Like Augustine we all feel the tug of our past sins that say, 'Don’t you want to enjoy us?' And Augustine’s story relates to Galatians 5:16-26 where Paul tells us about how the Christian life is like a walk. In a way, walking is a metaphor for the Christian life." ⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: @the_christopherscott in "In Step With the Spirit" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
"The Holy Spirit empowers us for Christ-like livin "The Holy Spirit empowers us for Christ-like living, and for serving others." Where in your life or in what ways has the Spirit enabled you this week? We'd love to hear, tell us in the comments below!⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: @the_christopherscott  in "In Step With the Spirit" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Subscribe

More Articles

MARRIAGE & MELANIN

You are the most beautiful girl I have ever seen. We will make it through this. The words were written in irregular handwriting outside the lines that sought to … [Read More...]

The Fatal Flaw in the Philosophy of the Force

“The Force is what gives a Jedi his power. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together,” says Obi-Wan Kenobi, in A New … [Read More...]

A FORK IN THE ROAD

Conviction and condemnation are distant cousins. I wouldn’t call them siblings, but they do belong in the same family. They both have to do with the way we deal with … [Read More...]

Copyright © 2023 New Identity Magazine. All Rights Reserved · Log in