“The subject of dress demands serious reflection and much prayer” (4 Testimonies, page 641).
Something we all do every day is wear clothes. Just how important are our choices? After all, it’s just clothes, isn’t it? Have you ever considered that we are getting dressed for God?
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). What, exactly, does dressing to the glory of God look like?
Recall the directions God gave to Moses regarding the attire to be worn in the temple service: they were to “make holy garments… for glory and for beauty” (Exodus 28:2).
“For glory,” so that the priestly office would be regarded with greater reverence by the people, and to constantly remind the priests of their holy station and it’s demand for consecrated living.
“For beauty,” to emphasize that these garments were representative of the character of God, which He sought to have reproduced in the hearts and lives of His people.
“The words of Scripture in regard to dress should be carefully considered. We need to understand that which the Lord of heaven appreciates in even the dressing of the body... Even the style of the apparel will express the truth of the gospel” (6 Testimonies, page 96).
Whether we realize it or not, the clothing we choose to wear reveals a set of truths about ourselves that the world will readily understand: our economic level, our education level, our social status, our level of sophistication, our heritage, and also, believe it or not, our moral character.
Consider what the following passages teach us about the distinctiveness of dress throughout the Old Testament:
Tamar deceives Judah by dressing in the clothing of a prostitute (Genesis 38:14, 15).
Moses was identified as an Egyptian by his clothing (Exodus 2:16-19).
Israelites were to be identified by the details of their clothing (Numbers 15:37-40).
Achan covets Babylonian clothing (Joshua 7:20, 21).
Tamar was identified as a virgin by her clothing (2 Samuel 13:18, 19).
Elijah was clearly identified by his clothing (2 Kings 1:5-8).
Dress foreign to Israel indicated heathen manners and customs (Zephaniah 1:8).
Consider also the attire of the two women of the book of Revelation. One is clothed in light and in righteousness; the other in the fashions and adornments of this world. Two ideas of worship and practice. Two choices. The Great Controversy in dress.
FOUR PRINCIPLES
There are four main principles for us to consider when it comes to our clothing:
1) Simplicity
2) Modesty
3) Health
4) Gender Distinction
Let’s briefly explore each.
SIMPLICITY
“In no better way can you let your light shine to others than in your simplicity of dress and deportment” (Child Guidance, page 417). This surprising statement raises an interesting point. Can our clothing and physical appearance actually influence our conduct? Consider what the following verse tells us about how the external strongly affected the actions of an angel in heaven before the creation of the earth.
“Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty” (Ezekiel 28:17).
Lucifer’s pride in his physical appearance led to his downfall, and will lead to his ultimate destruction. God sees and values the condition of our heart, and longs to keep us from falling into pride as Lucifer did. The gift of natural simplicity contains many blessings, not the least of which is that we are protected from vanity, immorality, and impurity.
By following fashion, and attracting attention to ourselves with unnatural means, we’ll be indistinguishable from the world. But the opposite is also true. When we observe God's principles of simplicity in our dress and deportment, we’ll easily be identified as followers of Jesus Christ. Some synonyms for simplicity are integrity, restraint, and purity.
To practice the principle of simplicity in our dress means that we will:
• look as nice and neat as we can, without using artificial means.
• have good quality clothes that fit well and are pleasant and comfortable to wear.
• follow the principles of cleanliness, good taste, and appropriateness for the occasion.
• avoid extravagant or costly apparel and accessories, or loud colors or designs.
• resist the unnatural in favor of what is authentic and uncomplicated.
Some key questions to ask when evaluating whether or not our clothing adheres to the principles of simplicity are:
Will my attire foster humility, or pride in the minds of others? (1 Timothy 2:9, 10)
What is my motivation for wearing a particular article of clothing? (Proverbs 7:10)
Could my appearance cause covetousness in the hearts of others? (1 Samuel 16:7)
Is God asking too much when He requires simplicity and plainness in our appearance? If we are willing to embrace His direction in this area, we’ll begin to appreciate what God appreciates. And the so-called beauty of the world will look artificial and not so appealing.
MODESTY
Modesty is defined as “reserve in speech, dress, or behavior; moral purity in thought, manner, and conduct.” Jeff Pollard, in his book Christian Modesty and the Public Undressing of America, page 22, wrote, “Christian modesty then will not publicly expose itself in sinful nakedness.” But what exactly is nakedness?
The Bible tells us that human beings were created by God in a state of nakedness, but without shame. “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. So God created man in his own image… male and female created He them… And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed” (Genesis 1:26-27; 2:25).
We are also told that God covered Himself “with light as with a garment” (Psalm 104:1, 2), and that He created male and female in His image. From that we can conclude that Adam and Eve were also covered in light while in the Garden of Eden.
“The sinless pair wore no artificial garments; they were clothed with a covering of light and glory, such as the angels wear. So long as they lived in obedience to God, this robe of light continued to enshroud them” (Patriarchs and Prophets, page 45).
However, Satan had a plan to entice the parents of the human race to disobey God. Eve separated from her husband and was deceived at the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. “The woman… took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons” (Genesis 3:1-7).
The serpent successfully persuaded the fallen couple to trust in their own evaluation of what was good. We’re told that Adam and Eve sewed together aprons made of fig leaves, indeed becoming the first human fashion designers. Whose influence were they under as they made these garments? The light of the glory of the knowledge of God had departed from them. As a result, a somber truth instantly became evident to them.
"And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself” (Genesis 3:9-10).
They recognized that they were now naked, in a state contrary to God’s original design. But hadn’t they made aprons for themselves? Yes, but apparently those garments weren’t sufficient. They were still naked. And God saw that they needed additional covering.
“Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them” (Genesis 3:21). God’s solution to the nakedness of the first couple was to clothe them in “coats,” not just mere “aprons.”
What about those who came after Adam? How were they dressed? In aprons or coats?
“Now Israel (Jacob) loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours” (Genesis 37:3).
“Moreover his (Samuel’s) mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice” (1 Samuel 2:19).
“Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace” (Daniel 3:21).
“Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments… and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout” (John 19:23).
What are some of the obvious differences between aprons and coats?
Aprons have a lower neck line, which exposes the chest; Coats have a higher neck line, which covers the chest. Aprons have no sleeves, which exposes the arms; Coats have long sleeves, which covers the arm. Aprons have a low back or no back at all; Coats have a closed back. Aprons usually fall above knee, which exposes the thighs and legs; Coats usually fall to the calf or ankle, covering the thigh and beyond.
It's interesting that from the very beginning, right up unto our day, Satan’s design reveals the body, while God’s design conceals our nakedness.
What are some of the characteristics of Satan’s design? Most can fall into one of three categories (and much of this applies equally to men as well as women):
Partial exposure – peek-a-boo effect, low or loose necklines, slits, sheer material, lace (also sleeves revealing the underarms, shoulders or upper arms).
Accentuating - tight, clingy material which reveals the shape of the chest, hips, crotch or thighs (also high heels, leggings, and skinny suits).
Drawing attention to – writing or images across the chest or backside (monogrammed t-shirts, jeans), visible undergarments, cuts or lines that draw the eye.
Our bodies inevitably change. Our weight fluctuates. The dress that was fine six months ago may no longer be modest. If one has recently begun a work-out program, the shirt you’ve worn all year may no longer hang loose enough to be modest. A full-length mirror is a true necessity for every household as we dress ourselves each day. Ladies and gentleman can check their appearance while standing, sitting, crossing their legs, reaching and stretching to observe their appearance, and then make any necessary adjustments before leaving home.
Our goal is to please the Lord in all things, even, and especially, in our dress. Thankfully, we have been given abundant information about how Christians can choose appropriate garments. May we endeavor to clothe ourselves in simplicity and modesty, for God’s glory.
“So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10).
To be continued…
Richard Cecere and his lovely wife, Leslie, volunteer at Uchee Pines Institute in Seale, Alabama. He enjoys reading, teaching, and being married, not necessarily in that order.