|
|
Dressing Sexy for Church Women with blouses that expose their cleavage. Skin-tight pants and dresses that reveal every curve of the body. Teenagers in shorts. Men in flip-flops with their shirt tails out. An evening at a nightclub? A day at the water park? No, I'm describing the way some people are now attending services. There are those who dress for church, or allow their mature children to dress, in clothing that people wear to be seductive or to go to the beach. This should alarm us. It's bad enough that God's people undress in public to go to beaches, water parks, and pools. Why did God further clothe Adam and Eve (Genesis 3.21) if He wants His people going around half-naked?! Then to wear similar clothing to worship? Really? Shall the God who commands modesty now be honored by skimpy, seductive, or sloppy attire? I know there are good souls who do their best to show respect in how they dress, yet must come to services a little dirty from work. Others do their best with a modest means. Praise the Lord for such people! They are giving what they can to the Lord. However, skin-tight pants and low-cut blouses are not befitting for a woman professing godliness, regardless of her income. Flip-flops and shorts are inappropriate for those who have important appointments, "Offer it then to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you favorably?" (Malachi 1.8) Not if we're trying to impress him! A Christian once told me of his experiences as an erring child of God. He had been withdrawn from for entering into an adulterous marriage. Nevertheless, he wanted to justify his sin so he found a church of Christ that fellowshipped him. After years of attending that liberal-minded church, the man repented of his sins and returned to the Lord. He later described his experiences at that church: “We never heard sermons on modesty, immorality, godly living, or anything controversial. Everything was accepted and the assemblies reflected it." He who has an ear, let him hear! What kind of environment are we creating at church in the way we dress and allow our family to dress? --Mike Thomas (Editor's Note: There are two problems addressed in the above article. The first deals with immodesty in regards to lascivious dress. Recently an article ran about a principle at a high school telling the cheerleaders that they could not wear their uniforms at school or the games. They had to wear something over their uniforms due to exposure of private parts. Our society has sexualized everything from sports to church attire. Tight fitting clothes can be just as provocative as skimpy clothing. Think about what you are wearing! The second problem is our attitude toward God when we come together. I know we live in a "casual society" in which churches advertize "come as you are services." There is no formal dress code in the Bible, but there is an attitude code. It is one of reverence toward God as expressed in Malachi. We need to wear clothing and teach our children to wear clothing that shows our respect toward God.) |