Is How We Dress Important?

As young people, it's safe to say that we worry a little bit about "fashion," right? However, the Bible says in ((1 Timothy 2:9)) "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modestapparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;." We all know that most clothes considered fashionable are FAR from modest. What are some items that we are told not to wear at church camp? Tank tops, shorts, strapless dresses...but wait! I see people wearing these kinds of clothes all the time! Don't you? Oh, but wait again! We are only IN this world for a while, which shouldn't be confused with becoming OF the world.

Sometimes it's easy to be persuaded by others (friends, people from school, family, magazines, even mannequins in the department store!) At these times, we may find ourselves drawn to clothing that is too revealing, too short, too tight, too low cut, but... think about it for a minute. How would our heavenly Father want us to dress? We should look different from the world, not trying to draw attention to ourselves, always making sure that we are dressed in a way that pleases Him.

The Bible also tells us in [[1 Peter 2:9]] "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light." Because of this, it should be important to us to let others know of the joy in our hearts to be a part of the beautiful Bride of Christ! As Christians first and especially as members of the Church, we should dress modestly enough for people to take notice of the way we look for the RIGHT reasons, causing them to say, "My, that young lady/man dresses modestly."

And if some (even the whole world!) "make fun of" or "pick on" us for the way we look, or dress, God is right there to help. No matter what situation we come up against, He is the one that will never leave or forsake us...and it is Him we should be careful to please anyway.

Remember the song by Casting Crowns titled "Praise You In This Storm"? I lift my eyes unto the hills; Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth.

That song is based on Scripture and tells us where we can seek help in times when we are tempted by the devil to dress like the world or when we are distress over how someone treats us for dressing modestly...

[[Psalm 121: 1, 2]] "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth."

We serve a God who cares about every aspect of our lives, INCLUDING how we dress. Let's be sensitive to His Spirit as He guides us in our choice of clothing...

-[Cindi Shaw]