Posted in Modesty
How the dress code of women has changed over the centuries and alas, certainly not for the better, hence I have decided to write this article based around women & femininity. This is a topic that The Lord has been speaking to me about more and more over the past fourteen months and is now becoming a topic close to my heart. I also know that I am not the only woman who has voiced opinions especially in the regard to the area of women and modesty and I certainly won’t be the last!
If today's women lived in the early part of the 19th/20th Century and went to church and probably went out generally dressed the way a lot of women are today - they would have been arrested there and then - how our society has changed so much!
It has become clear to me especially amongst Christian women in today’s world, that there are those whom God is speaking to regarding modesty & feminine dress. These are women who desire to go back to dressing in a more appealing way to the Lord. They are:
v Women, who long to be obedient to His Word by the way they dress.
v Women, who desire to be feminine in a society where “anything goes” dress wise.
v Women, who desire to be different and to speak out through dressing in a more modest and feminine manner
v Women who desire to dress in a more pleasing way for their husbands
v Women who want to set an example to those around them including the younger generation of today
In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 1 Timothy 2:9-10
The Lord, tells us through a few scriptures in His Word that we are to dress modestly and pleasing to Him. His Word does not tell us that we should go out “alluring men”. Please don’t get me wrong here, as I am sure a lot of us, especially Christian women don’t go out with this intention but unknowingly for the most part we do go out focussed on our outward appearance.
Men are attracted by the female form, fact – pure and simple – how we are dressed outwardly (as well as inwardly) matters and speaks volumes. In today’s society, the message is that there is nothing wrong with women wearing:
v Short skirts & shorts show off legs
v Tight and low cut blouses show off our bust line
v Sleeveless and/or thin strapped blouses and tops again can show off our bust line and even more in some cases....
v Trousers/Jeans again can show both the crotch area and bottom (there was no easy way to word this)! (I do still wear jeans but not very often & a ongoing challenge for me!)
v Swimwear – especially bikinis and high cut swimsuits reveal too much
So often we don’t think about the men or what they are seeing,
What message are we giving across to those around us and to our brothers?
“We do not want to be responsible for causing a brother to stumble. Sadly, few ladies consider their brother when choosing their attire. “It’s his problem if he lusts!” is the more common reply.”
Sorry, but I totally disagree with this statement big time – why? How we dress can cause our brothers to stumble and so we have a responsibility as Christian Women to make sure that this doesn’t happen. By dressing according to biblical principles and guidelines will not only be pleasing to Our Father, but we won’t be focusing so much on ourselves and the message we give will speak volumes to others especially and others will know that “we are different”
Our dress code should not change like the wind during the week either. I know from experience that I have gone out wearing clothes during the week that I would not wear to church as I would have felt very uncomfortable. My question is this, if you feel ok going out wearing unsuitable clothing as stated above but then feel uncomfortable going to church meetings wearing the same “type of clothing” then do you know think that God is speaking to you here?
This is why I started revamping my wardrobe last year by getting rid of unsuitable items that I knew I could not wear. As I am moving again, I am still finding clothes that have been at the back of draws etc that I had forgotten about – they have gone straight into the trash!
Again, as I have stated before – the way we dress does not make us better Christians on the outside! Our heart needs to be changes as well, how we are on the inside should reflect the same on the outside and yes can and does take time but this is where we need to keep persevering & moving forward in our desire to please God.
Finally, a closing statement to think upon:
“Women are to dress according to certain standards which included modesty, inexpensive and non-gaudy attire, and clothing that reflects godliness. To be modest means to be decent and respectful. A Christian woman should display the virtues of Christian womanhood. She should carefully and prayerfully select her attire in order to not unduly expose her body. She does not have to be excessively old-fashioned, but she should choose clothing that will dignify her womanhood and enhance her appearance. She should consider that she is to be an example of godliness to those around her, without feeling the need to blend with a society that has no regard for modesty.
She is a disciple of Christ. Her dedication means that she does not seek the most expensive and extravagant clothing, and limits the amount of jewellery she displays. By confining herself to moderate and conservative clothing, she draws attention to Christ rather than herself. She will not allow the Devil to use her to introduce any fashion or behaviour to the Body of Christ that is inclined to worldly trends.”
