DRESS CODE FOR A CHRISTIAN YOUNG MAN Christian dress and adornment reminds us that while clothes do not make a Christian, Christians do reveal their identity through their clothes and appearance. Samuel Bacchiochi Since Eden God made the unusual act of making clothes for His children. Aprons of fig leaves concocted by Adam and Eve were not enough to cover their nakedness. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. (Genesis 3:7, 21) The purpose of wearing clothing is to cover us from the guilt of our sins. The garments of skin for Adam and Eve required the bloodshed of an innocent animal. They represented the sacrifice of Jesus, the true Lamb of God. In fact, nudity and lack of modesty in dress makes a statement that we do not need Jesus to cover our sins. God also instructed the priests about being virtuous and prudent; and He determined what would be their garments, which would include underwear. And do not go up to my altar on steps, or your private parts may be exposed Make sacred garments for your brother Aaron to give him dignity and honor... Make linen undergarments as a covering for the body, reaching from the waist to the thigh. (Exodus 20:26; 28: 2, 42) The act of God of providing robes in Eden, and later on specifying the garments of his servants, reveals what is the divine desire. The appearance of modesty and prudence in dress renders honor to God and virtue to the Christian young man. Clothing reflects his personality, character, wisdom, maturity and, even more, his spirituality. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God s sight. (1 Peter 3:3-4) We should ever be aware that shunning outward adornment does not automatically mean that our spirit is on par with divine principles. This text does not specifically condemn the outward appearance, but condemns being neglectful of the spiritual adornment. Some, however, interpret it so and do not present themselves in tasteful attire believing that doing that makes them pious. But that is not so. Piety comes as a result of daily relationship with Jesus which is what adorns them with a gentle and quiet spirit. Such is the goal of this text.
Many are set in the outward appearance of others to criticize and condemn them, while at the same time they themselves neglect their own spiritual life. Yet only God knows the heart and it could be that those who strive to have a pleasant appearance and are criticized for it, are more susceptible to the voice of the Holy Spirit, and faithful to a daily devotional life which is what adorns their spirit and guards their heart. For it is from within, out of a person s heart, that evil thoughts come sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person. (Mark 7:21-23) It is not your dress that makes you of value in the Lord s sight. It is the inward adorning, the graces of the Spirit, the kind word, the thoughtful consideration for others that God values. (CG, 429) The Heart Must Be Right If we are Christians, we shall follow Christ, even though the path in which we are to walk cuts right across our natural inclinations. There is no use in telling you that you must not wear this or that, for if the love of these vain things is in your heart, your laying off your adornments will only be like cutting the foliage off a tree. The inclinations of the natural heart would again assert themselves. You must have a conscience of your own. (CG, 429) Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh. (Romans 13:13-14) The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21) We are representatives of Christ in every social environment, whether it be family, work, church or civic duty. Clothing reflects our dignity as well as respect and consideration for others or before a particular occasion or circumstance. We have as an example how Joseph was first prepared accordingly attending to his physical appearance before presenting himself before the Pharaoh of Egypt. So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. When he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came before Pharaoh. (Genesis 41:14)
If the world introduce a modest, convenient, and healthful mode of dress, which is in accordance with the Bible, it will not change our relation to God or to the world to adopt such a style of dress. Christians should follow Christ and make their dress conform to God s word. They should shun extremes. They should humbly pursue a straightforward course, irrespective of applause or of censure, and should cling to the right because of its own merits. (1T, 458) some men who profess to be Christians assemble with God s people upon the Sabbath, with their clothing dusty and soiled, and even with gaping rents in their garments, which are placed upon their persons in a slovenly manner. This class, if they had an engagement to meet a friend honored by the world, by whom they wished to be especially favored, would exert themselves to appear in his presence with the best apparel that could be obtained Yet these persons think that it is no matter in what dress they appear or what is the condition of their persons when they meet upon the Sabbath to worship the great God. (CG 428) God designed that there should be a plain distinction between the dress of men and women, and has considered the matter of sufficient importance to give explicit directions in regard to it; for the same dress worn by both sexes would cause confusion and great increase of crime. (CG, 427) 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. (Deuteronomy 22:5) There are some who believe that in this text Moses meant that women should not wear pants. It is not so. Pants did not even exist at that time. Their attire is what nowadays we call long dresses for women and skirts; and they were worn by both sexes. But there must have been a difference although all of them wore tunics. And Moses was referring to that. There were tunics for women and tunics for men. In the modern era we also have distinctions. For example, men's shirts are buttoned with the button on the right and the buttonhole on the left; while the buttons on the left with the buttonholes on the right signifies that the clothing is feminine. Similarly, there are pants for men and pants for women. Throughout the ages fashion changes. If it were not so, Christians young men would dress today as did the pioneers of our church 150 years ago. But it is not so because our men abandoned the use of such clothing, just as their ancestors centuries before also abandoned the use of tunics for clothing that is more efficient and comfortable, as is wearing pants. Likewise, women also have updated their manner of dressing and adopted the use of pants designed for women.
It is true that women's fashion has styles that include provocative dresses, skirts or pants. But the daughters of God know how to choose well the styles which are appropriate, comfortable and tasteful, whether they be skirts or pants. More valuable than talking about dress, is to talk about Christ. Dress Not to Be Made a Subject of Controversy There is no need to make the dress question the main point of your religion. There is something richer to talk of. Talk of Christ; and when the heart is converted, everything that is out of harmony with the Word of God will drop off. (CG 428) None to be conscience for another, but set a worthy example Do not encourage a class who center their religion in dress. Let each one study the plain teachings of the Scriptures as to simplicity and plainness of dress and by faithful obedience to those teachings strive to set a worthy example to the world and to those new in the faith. God does not want any one person to be conscience for another. (CG, 429) Talk of the love and humility of Jesus, but do not encourage the brethren and sisters to engage in picking flaws in the dress or appearance of one another. Some take delight in this work; and when their minds are turned in this direction, they begin to feel that they must become church tinkers. They climb upon the judgment seat, and as soon as they see one of their brethren and sisters, they look to find something to criticize. This is one of the most effectual means of becoming narrow-minded and of dwarfing spiritual growth. God would have them step down from the judgment seat, for He has never placed them there. (CG, 429) Masculine dress protocol varies according to region, culture, field of work, or occasion. This is what determines the appropriate attire for a specific time or place. And for each of those tasks and occasions, the variety of clothing to choose from is immense. The Christian young man will present himself in all of them not only reflecting good taste in dress, but endowed with wisdom from from above: But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. (James 3:17) Therefore, as God s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Colossians 3:12-14)
But more than the outward appearance, the main desire of a Christian young man is to have his soul adorned by the Holy Spirit, whose fruit will be reflected in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) Whether in dress of any other thing, let his desire be to do everything to God s glory. (1 Corinthians 10:31) And may his daily meditation focus on all that is true, noble, honest, just, pure, kind, admirable, and anything which bears a good name, is virtues and worthy of praise. (Philippians 4:8)