What Should I Wear Today?

By: Judy Scoggins

Printed in Fires of Revival
Volume 4, Number 2

1 Timothy 2:9-10: “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.”

O.K., Ladies! Is it REALLY anybody’s business what we wear? I have now joined the ranks of the “older women” who are supposed to teach the “younger women” (Titus 2:4) to live godly lives, and I believe it’s about time we stand up for godly dress in our day! It is true that styles and dress standards change over time; if not, we would all still be wearing floor-length dresses, etc., but I believe God has a standard for us today. As summer approaches, we need to stop and think about what kind of clothing would please the Lord, and not just blindly follow the styles that are presented to us by a clothing industry bent on exploiting sexuality.

From the time sin entered the world, God has put a premium on covering the shamefulness of man’s nakedness (Genesis 3:21). Even Adam and Eve immediately sought means to cover themselves knowing that God would visit them in the cool of the afternoon after they sinned against Him (Genesis 3:7). During the journeys of the children of Israel in the wilderness, when they rebelled against God’s leading, Moses found them stripped of their clothing and participating in reckless revelry (Exodus 32:25).

Skimpy dress has always been associated with sexual sin. I know some of you who read this will ask, “How am I supposed to know what is considered ‘skimpy’?” It’s sort of the way the pastor answered the young lady who asked how she would know she was in love. He said, “YOU’LL KNOW!” Ladies, (both young and older) I contend that YOU KNOW when the boundaries of God’s standard of dress have been breached! When the dress or blouse is revealing – no straps, spaghetti straps, plunging neckline, too thin material, etc., it’s not “becoming a woman who professes godliness.” When the skirt is too short for you to sit comfortably without having to tug at it, don’t buy it or wear it. When the pants are tight or the shorts are revealing, throw them away! (I’ve noticed that men don’t normally wear ‘tight’ jeans or pants. That should tell us something. It’s not a “comfort” thing, as some ladies claim.)

When Jesus said, “…whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matthew 5:28), He was not just addressing the men. It takes TWO to commit adultery, and a woman who dresses in such a fashion that causes lust in a man’s heart is just as guilty as he is! We should love our Christian brothers enough to WANT to dress modestly around them! Single ladies, let me say to you – no matter what your age – that if you want to marry a godly man, dress in a godly manner! A man who loves the Lord will be looking for a woman who is a complement to his godly life in her actions, her speech, and her dress.

The excuse, “I can’t find anything in the stores anymore” doesn’t hold water. With all the choices afforded us today, we can find what we’re looking for! I’m not talking about looking like you just got dragged in from the 19th century! I believe we can still dress stylishly without offending God or those around us. It all boils down to an issue of the heart. If our hearts long to be pleasing to the Lord, we will want to be modest in our dress. Remember that others are watching. Let’s “…be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, it spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).