Fashions as shown in TV, pictures, magazines and internets are influencing the young people in an unprecedented measure. The influence is inevitable as it affects the way the society dress, live, think and talk. Many popular stars whether in film/music industry or sports arenas are the major influence upon the younger generation. The way they dress and act makes young people want to replicate them.
For the rich, they can afford to keep up with contemporary trends but for the poor, it’s a different story. There arise tons of discrepancies even in the outfits they put on. People tend to judge based on makeup and clothes. It is this that makes the society developed unhealthy complexes. With the influence of Western style of dressing, the decency of showing oneself in public is also a diminishing trait. Of course, there can be no restrictions in the way a person dresses or carries oneself. This is a free world but the manner in which a person portrays oneself speaks a lot about him/her. Fashion plays a major role in Churches and social gatherings as well. There are instances where young folks fail to attend churches because of not possessing fashionable clothes. Fashion seems to be the defining factor even in worshipping God. Many Churches today have turned into fashion spectacles and in displaying the latest clothes available in markets. The materialistic outlook into perceiving people cannot simply be evaded. Many times our first impression upon people is based on their outfits. It does not necessarily mean that one need to be shabbily clad but that there should be a proper way in restricting oneself from portraying more than our finances can afford. Having said that, decency in dressing particularly in Churches should be upheld as it distracts the whole atmosphere of godliness and courtesy.
The other day, I was reading through an article “Modesty, Clothing and God” by Brent Riggs and he has to say this: “Your clothing sends a message. It can be one of materialism, pride or “look at me.” It can be one of sexuality and provocativeness. Or, it can be a message of godliness, propriety and modesty. Modesty attracts righteousness. Immodesty attracts immorality. The world uses clothing to say “look at me!” Christians should wear clothes that say “look at God!” What a word in the context of all the immodest unrestricted style of Western culture and living.
The Bible is not silent on this issue. Many tend to become judgmental and uncomfortable when big-mouthed preachers pounds for proper style of dressing within the Church setting. I am not in a position to judge ‘what to wear’ and ‘what not to.’ There are some instances in the Bible that is mentioned. The bible says that clothing was first made by men (inclusive) sewed with fig leaves and they covered themselves with it. But God made garments of skin for men and clothed them. I propose that the clothing we wear matters to God. If it were not, he would not have cared to shed blood as such to cover the nakedness of men. Now, many are aware of the fact that the Lord do not see as men sees, for men look at the outward appearance but God look at the heart (1 Sam. 16:7). However, this does not suggest that God does not care about the way we dress. In reality, proper cladding is mentioned all over the Bible because it expresses what’s inside us.
In the book of James 2, the Church began to set distinction between rich and poor based on the looks and attires of their members. Clothing reveals sorrow (2 Sam. 3:31). It can also help people identify to which group or tribe they belong to (Zeph. 1:8). Prisoners can be spotted by their dress (Jer. 52:33). Some dress may reveal specific activity, such as having attended a wedding (Matt. 22:1ff). The quality of dress also reveals how well a mother has provided for her family (Proverbs 31:21, 22). Clothing can also reveal a harlot (Prov. 7:10). In all these, clothing discloses people’s identity and disposition. Therefore, proper dressing especially in Churches should be emphasized so that there can be a proper attitude in worshipping God.
1 Timothy 2:9, 10 commands the ladies in this manner: “And I want women to get in there with the men in humility before God, not primping before a mirror or chasing the latest fashions but doing something beautiful for God and becoming beautiful doing it” (Message Bible). The Bible has to say that if the inward relation to God is right, then the outward expression of apparel and persona will fall in its place.
With the change of times and seasons, fashions too is changing rapidly. God does not in any way controls believers from exercising the right on the styles of clothing. But it does command believers to dress modestly and courteously in the worship place. “Modesty isn’t about a list of rules. It’s about reflecting God’s holiness and purity through our clothing,” states Mechelle Cato.
Vebu Khamo, Bible Student
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