CHRISTIAN WOMEN: What should they NOT WEAR?

Dear brethrenThis has been a concern to me and I truly believe to our Lord as well. The issue of clothing, especially on a true Christian. For men it is a great deal easier, because men are much less the object of lust than women. Probably more than 80% of advertisements and pornography uses woman as the object. The Bible speaks of a new creation...everything becomes new!!Have you ever thought when a woman has truly met with a holy God? And if a woman has experienced revival in her heart and life? You will see it in the way she presents herself. I make this bold statement: If her clothes hasn't changed, her heart is still unchanged! Will a Spirit-filled woman still wear pants? Titivate herself with make-up for other men to enjoy them? Will she not stand out from among the world? Tell me, have we allowed the world to set our standard? Read the story of Madame Guyon and experience something of the holiness and purity of God.In His unchanging love,Gery.

Legalism is normally the point that pops up. Also that God looks at the heart, not at the outward appearance. But was it Luther that said "we need the outward, for we cannot see the heart".In HimGery

Dear Brathren,Some would probably say, who is he to speak? I speak in such a clear way because I have seen God change my own wife before my eyes. We were both heavily involved with drugs and the rave scene. You have probably seen what is worn in such circles. We are urged by John not to love the world. If we do, the love of the Father is simply not in us. Have we as Christians not allowed the world to influence us, especially on this matter. It is like the danger of allowing yourself to do things in mildness. In Finney and Moody's day, do you really think women whore men's clothing? In Paul and Peter's day, I believe women were testimonies not only in submission and their quiet spirits, but also in their whole beings.If I did not have my own wife to refer to I would never have been so bold. And since I came to the Lord I have seen it over and over in others.In Him,Gery

oh please, where does it dictate in the Word a dress code for his people? You nor any other Christian are not the judge, hairdresser, or dressmaker, God is. Your conviction may not be my conviction, so therefore we shouldn't judge on the outer appearance. Ex. I was in the grocery store after working as landscaper all day in 115 degree heat, looking pretty rough. There were 3 people at the meat counter talking about their upcoming revival giving me the cold shoulder thinking I am an unsaved heathen in need of saving because of my appearance mentioning in a very loud voice about what their Jesus could do for sinners. Excuse me ladies I know what my Jesus can do for sinners, he saved my soul a very long time ago when he looked upon the heart of a sinner and still sees my heart today not what I have on and he has instilled in me an annointing to teach, preach and evangilize. My dress code must not be so bad since he reveals to my heart the mysteries of his word and gives me the ability to teach and help lead people in jeans to Christ everyday. A landscaper planting trees in a frock is not a pretty sight.Gery wrote:Dear brethrenThis has been a concern to me and I truly believe to our Lord as well. The issue of clothing, especially on a true Christian. For men it is a great deal easier, because men are much less the object of lust than women. Probably more than 80% of advertisements and pornography uses woman as the object. The Bible speaks of a new creation...everything becomes new!!Have you ever thought when a woman has truly met with a holy God? And if a woman has experienced revival in her heart and life? You will see it in the way she presents herself. I make this bold statement: If her clothes hasn't changed, her heart is still unchanged! Will a Spirit-filled woman still wear pants? Titivate herself with make-up for other men to enjoy them? Will she not stand out from among the world? Tell me, have we allowed the world to set our standard? Read the story of Madame Guyon and experience something of the holiness and purity of God.In His unchanging love,Gery.

1Sa 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.In Christ,GaryE

The Scripture are pretty clear concerning certain dress for woman. My wife also went through the very same changes after being born again. A woman should certainly not dress in a way that would cause another to lust or materialistically. There are many churches that are a fashion show - were the cost of the clothes and jewelry of the members on any given Sunday could staff and army of native missions for a year. Here are some Scriptures concerning women, dress and hair.1 Tim 2:9-159I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 10but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. 11A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. 13For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. 15But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.1 Peter 3:1-61Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4Instead, 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. 5For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, 6like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.

As women we have a heavy burden put on us by society to look a certain way. I used to put all of my value in how I looked. I knew that if I looked a certain way, I would be accepted, I would gain favor and please the world. This appealed my flesh and my spirit. I'd like to say that the moment I accepted Jesus that this way of thinking went away....but it did not. I always dress very modestly, but the way I look is still a focus. On that the Lord is dealing with me. He tells me that I have to know my value IN HIM, not in the way I look!! My prayer now is "Lord I want people to notice me because of YOU...not me. When they look at my face I pray that it's YOURS they see!!" To say that if a women dresses a certain way... she can not love God, is not fair. You don't know her heart. You don't know the pressure she faces. She may look that way because of her husband's influence. I know many husbands in the church who put unfair expectations on their wifes to look and dress a certain way. I'm not saying it's right, but most women dress sexy not to draw attention to themselves, but to just feel worthy of being called a woman.

Both Christian men and women should dress modestly, and we should not dress like the opposite sex. There is quite some room for interpretation here. I work with youth at church, and have avoided going swimming with them, as I know what some of the girls would wear, as I know how they dress casually. I also have worked with all boys groups from the inner city, and don't see anything wrong with a bunch of guys going swimming together, ex: sharks and minnows, teaching the boys to swim, etc. I do go scuba diving and like swimming, and may start wearing shirts when doing either if I feel the Lord leads me. God will deal with me directly on this, I pray. Scripture is clear on the matter of nudity, and it just seems the closer you get to nude, either by less clothes or tighter, the worse. To be honest I like to go to the pool, and sometimes feel that I ought not take my shirt off in public, though I do, as we have a neighborhood pool. I think most of the preachers I admire would probably say we guys need to keep the shirts on, but 'Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.' It seems the issue is to not make anyone stumble. Personally, I fully admit my flesh is attracted to scantily clad girls, so I don't like being around that kind of thing, and if there are girls around I try not to look at what they are advertising. 'If you're not in business, don't advertise.' But we must remember that these girls need the gospel just as anyone. So we should look through that garbage, and remember that there is a soul that needs to be saved.Let the Bible talk:Duet 22:5 "The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God."1 Tim 2:9-10 "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; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works."1 Pet 3:1-4 "Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price."

Duet 22:5 "The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God."I am not sure that this verse is really talking about specific fashions but what we might call 'cross dressing'. If a woman dresses 'as' a man, or a man dresses 'as a woman', these 'cross dressers' were an abomination to God, but then again so was the eating of oysters, squid, eels, lobster, crab, crayfish...“And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you:” (Lev. 11:10, KJVS)

I think like anything else in the Christian's life the point to consider is a new creation!Remember, it is the heart that changes and therefor the intentions thereof and the motives, the reason WHY!"The Word of God ...is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart"(Heb. 4:12) God's word judges deep down inside. It cuts away and away. We love speaking of revival, but how deep do we allow God to work. It is like the earth or an onion that is made up out of layers. The more you allow Him to cut away, the deeper He will go. And He does it through His Word and by His Spirit. Why do I wear this, why do I do that, why do I speak in such a manner.And so it is, if we do not allow Him on this thing He is busy with, He cannot get to the next thing in your life. He is a jealous God! He will change you into the image of His Son: inside and outside! God will always come back to that point over and over again, untill you yield. He doesn't say: "shame he doesn't want to, lets try the next point". He doesn't compromise, because we might do so. I dont know where you are spiritually, but may the Lord work deeply in our lives. Starting afresh with me. Let us consider our ways and ask Him for His will searching. In His love,Gery

This topic was discussed a while ago. You may enjoy reading this thread - some real honest sharing: Biblical Modesty dont think women should wear football pads.Krispy, I think these went out of fashion a while ago. So you don't have to preach against them any more! Diane

Gery, I am not a male but hope you do not mind a female weighing in on this issue.I agree with you.From my own experience, the Lord has been working on me on how I should dress. And I do suppose this is a constantly evolving thing. BUT we must be sensitive to the spirit and go where he leads us. Be obedient. I have had non-Christian clients at CPC who took issue with the way women dressed for worship services: they looked like they were participating in a fashion show. It was a sure turn off for them. Their clothes exuded wealth....perhaps this may be one of the reasons Bro. Paul tells women to not use jewelry? Something to think about...ginnyrose

they looked like they were participating in a fashion show. It was a sure turn off for them. Their clothes exuded wealth..Sadly many women will do whatever it takes to fit in and be acceptable. We make ourselves slaves of the fashion market. We want to be "in" so that no one will think we are an old-fashioned Christian (God forbid!). However we are not always aware of what we communicate through our dress to those outside of our peer group - as your comment reveals. Choir robes and clerical robes have been a great way to avoid this, though, I think that they were worn in the past to protect poor clergy/singers from the embarassment of having no Sunday clothing. Robes also conceal eye-catching body shapes - and thus people's minds can be free to focus on worship. I wear a robe in my church. When I first started there as a Music Minister, I was not impressed about this "confinement" but now I love it. I don't have to think about what I'm going to wear, what jewelry matches, etc. I would have never known the value of the robe until I had to wear one myself. Diane

Diane,I personally love to see the robes worn by choir members and clergy. You are right: it does conceal body shapes beautifully! It does not distract from worship at all, IMHO.ginnyrose

Hey guys,I'd first like to point out that no one can make another lust. What a woman wears cannot make me lust. What a man wears cannot make a woman lust. Our lustful thoughts are our owns. No one can place this in your mind. Remember, you can dangle a carrot in front of a rabbit and tempt him, but inside, that rabbit wantsthat carrot.Secondly, we all, myself included, need to stop removing scripture from its context and using it to "prove" a point.Thirdly, I do agree with a lot of what was said. Though we cannot blame others for the lust in our hearts, there are ways a woman should & shouldn't dress. And I don't think there is such a vague line.Once it is agrees upon that this should be worn .... and not that ... the content should be easy to decipher.In Love

I agree with the poster who said that they have changed........as they were convicted. For me also, it is an ever evolving thing. I used to wear bikinis........then I went to a one piece, now I wear a modest skirted suit. Maybe one day soon the Lord will convict me not to go to a public swimming area. I also see a progression in the types of dresses I wear. I now LOVE long dresses/skirts. However, I DON'T feel convicted about wearing pants----except that TIGHT PANTS are no longer appropriate wear for a Christian woman.Makeup, well, I USED to wear much more, but that too is changing as my focus changes. As I have grown older, I've realized that being focused on "self" too much is a form of idolatry---and I ask myself questions such as this: am I making myself look better for me or someone else? That's really the question all Christian women should ask themselves----why do they wear the clothes they wear? Why do they wear the amount of makeup they wear? Why do they wear the amount of jewelry they wear?........and the biggest question of all that we should be asking ourselves: Will I cause a brother/sister to be offended by what I am wearing/not wearing? One thing I noticed is that many of the more Word focused churches contain people who are much more conservatively dressed. Those churches who are more "seeker friendly" seem to be, at least the ones I've been to, much more worldly/sensual in their dress........The Word of God preached AND LIVED by others, will bring conviction where the Lord desires change. Just my 2cents. Blessings in Jesus, Cindy