Young adult Christian girl here. I was raised in a Christian home and I was taught the Bible regularly. This is how I’ve learned that clothing in Biblical times often had a spiritual significance and message.
The very first time clothing was created, it was to cover Adam and Eve’s sin and shame (a kind of apron made from sewing fig leaves together; Genesis 3:7). We also learned how the skin of animals was used as clothing (Genesis 3:21, 2 Kings 1:8). Through several Biblical scriptures, we found how people back then used the art of weaving hair into cloth to create sackcloth of mourners and to make garments (Exodus 26:7, Matthew 3:4, Deuteronomy 22:11, Ezek. 34:3, Job 31:20, Proverbs 27:26, Leviticus 13:47). Fine linen was sewn only for the high priests, kings, as well as the elite (Exodus 28:5, Genesis 41:42, Proverbs 31:22, Luke 16:19). Eventually, there was a time when the art of dyeing was introduced (Genesis 37:3, 23), but dyed robes were worn only by the wealthy.
Today, people no longer wear the long robes once worn by Biblical characters. Times have changed and so has the fashion style.
I know a good number of believers will say that God will never be bothered about your clothing style. This is theologically wrong. We are the creatures and children of God and we are called to glorify God in everything we do, say and wear.
True, there is no specific Christian dress code, but that doesn’t mean we can wear everything we want. Here are some Biblical facts that outline our way of dressing.
If It Leads to Sin
Suppose you have to go to the beach. You can choose to wear a swimsuit or even a bikini. But, what about those micro thong bikinis or those teeny tiny things that are not covering but instead are exposing your naughty bits?
These are the styles a Christian should never wear, in public.
The fashion industry keeps on promoting revealing and semi-naked clothing style and female activists keep on arguing that men should learn not to stare and control their “animalistic” impulses. This is pure stupidity, according to me.
We can forget the fact that girls are the ones intentionally exposing their thigh, butt and cleavage – things that scream for attention and can trigger sexual thoughts in a guy that maybe doesn’t even want to indulge in those. But, as a Christian, you cannot be the reason behind making a guy constantly fighting off his biological instinct. That, my friend, doesn’t come from me, but from the Bible.
“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!
– From Matthew 18:5-7
Here, the explanation is explicit: Do not be the reason – or in this case, wear anything revealing intentionally – that can cause someone to stumble.
Wear as per Your Gender
Ask the question, “Can I wear boys’ clothing if I am a girl,” on any social media platform and I’m sure most of the responses would resemble something like, “Clothing was never gender specific”, “You have the right and freedom to wear what you want” or “If I’m a guy who wears women’s clothes, then you can wear what you prefer too.”
What if you are a believer?
The answer lies in the Old Testament, in Deuteronomy 22:5;
“A woman must not wear men’s clothing, nor a man wear women’s clothing, for the Lord your God detests anyone who does this.”
I think the answer is pretty clear now!