In the Old Testament, God spoke to the people of Israel regarding the clothing of men and women. Both men and women wore similar clothing, so the difference between the sexes was very important.
A woman shall not wear a man's garment, nor shall a man put on a woman's garment; for all who do so are abomination to the LORD your God. Deuteronomy 22:5
In Deuteronomy 22:5, direct reference is made to the use of clothing by men and women, and we believe that the emphasis here is on homosexuality. Men and women were always to demonstrate by their clothing the gender to which they belonged; their clothing was to make this distinction clear. By not dressing according to their gender, a man or a woman suggested that there were homosexual inclinations in the person, and this in itself constituted an act that was abominable in the eyes of God.. “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination” (Leviticus 18:22).
The Bible from beginning to end condemns homosexuality in both men and women.
In the 21st century, it is very difficult to distinguish between homosexual and heterosexual. Lesbian women do not necessarily dress in a masculine way, nor do homosexual men dress in a feminine way. Even so, men should always dress in a manner appropriate for men, and women should always dress in a manner appropriate for women.
I am going to focus more on women's clothing since it is the topic that I have been asked the most about because it is the most controversial. My prayer is that we come together to the Word and leave preconceived ideas behind so that the Holy Spirit can guide us to the truth.
Although the Bible does not make specific mention of the type of fashion or style to be used, it does give certain rules or principles that should be followed when dressing. If we read 1 Timothy 2:9-15, we will find three principles: decorum, modesty and modesty. After instructing Timothy about the role of men in the congregation of worship and in public, the apostle Paul goes on to establish the bases for women.
Likewise, let women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with modesty and sobriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good works, as become women professing godliness. 1 Timothy 2:9-10
It is likely that in the culture of Paul and Timothy's time, women were not dressed appropriately, or the command was simply given so that it would not happen.
Women of that time, just like women today, liked to dress in a way that would make them look good either for their husbands or possibly with the intention of attracting attention from the opposite sex, which is completely natural for women, but can often be taken to the extreme, thus losing all sense of respect for their own bodies, which are the temple of the Lord. Other women, perhaps of a higher class, sought to show off their wealth and high social status through dress and expensive clothing. These practices could have reached, or perhaps had reached, the church, where women were mostly dressed inappropriately.
The church is the place to worship God and not a place to display fashion. The goal of every Christian should not be to show off his possessions and socio-economic level, but to be pleasing to God in everything to give the glory due to his Name.
In addition to the above, there is one more important point. If a person is too concerned about his outward appearance, he may neglect what is most important in him: his inner life, godliness and his Christian life.
…that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and decency;
Three principles are introduced regarding the dress of the Christian woman:
- Decorum: Appropriate; modesty and good taste in conduct and appearance; orderly.
- Modesty: Appropriate; for the place where one is, for example work, school or on vacation in a certain place; in accordance with what is socially accepted in conduct or speech.
- Modesty: Free from pride, pretension or vanity; appropriate dress, conduct and speech.
The application of these principles of modesty depends largely on the situation we find ourselves in. We cannot say that a particular style of dress is in itself sinful; fashions and styles change over time and with society, but the principles established in the Bible remain forever.
If we go back to the times of the early church, we find that all people, men, women and children, wore dresses with robes that either reached the floor or the knee. A Christian Roman soldier like Cornelius wore a short skirt (saya) that reached the knee, and all this without causing any scandal. If we were to try to impose this custom in America in the age in which we live, a man dressed in a robe or short skirt would attract a lot of attention and cause a scandal in the church, on the street or wherever he went.
What is modest in one society is not so in another. That is why I believe that God did not instruct Paul to present a specific style, but to present the principles that would govern styles.
Suits, skirts, or robes are styles of clothing that are generally acceptable for women in our society (America), but not for men. Pants are an acceptable style in our society for both men and women, although with different cuts.
Just because a woman wears pants doesn't necessarily make her 'masculine'.
Whatever clothing, footwear or makeup Christian women wear in any culture or society, they should be based on these three principles:
Decorous: Appropriate and in good taste.
Modesty: Appropriate, acceptable for a Christian woman, that is not sexually provocative Modesty: Free from pride, pretension and vanity especially when attending the house of God.
My opinion, in order and out of reverence for the house of God, is that women should attend church dressed as presentably as they can, whether in a suit or a skirt, not in pants. Pants are more appropriate for going to Bible studies outside of the sanctuary of God, to school, social gatherings, to work, to go for a walk, or for the comfort of their home, etc. The way a person dresses to go to church says a lot about the reverence we feel for the house of God.
Women and men must take into account the effect their clothing will have on other brothers in Christ, so that attention is not drawn to their bodies and sexual thoughts are attracted to the opposite sex.
We must also keep in mind that just because a person has lustful desires toward a woman, it does not necessarily mean that we are dressed badly or provocatively. A man does not necessarily have wicked thoughts toward a woman because of the type of clothing she wears. On several occasions women have been heard to say, “that man took off my clothes with his eyes,” and these women were not dressed provocatively, but the mind of the one who was looking at her was a filthy mind that needs to be renewed (Ephesians 2:24).
Christian men and women must be disciplined to look and think on the right things. (Philippians 4:8)
…not with braided hair, nor gold, nor pearls, nor expensive clothes,
The hairstyle that a woman should wear should not be scandalous, nor ostentatious (showy). Certain women of the apostle Paul's time were given to the extreme use of clothing; they wove gold and pearl ornaments into their hair and wore expensive clothes to draw attention to themselves and make a display of their social status, which Paul orders not to be practiced.
We can see that the apostle does not want ostentation to be the norm, but rather sober order and modesty. A person who puts too much emphasis on the external decoration of his body, with excessive chains, shows that he is a person who is insecure about himself and also weak in faith. Such people should seek pastoral help and devote themselves more to prayer.
…If not with good works, as befits women who profess piety
In the following comparison, Paul exhorts women not to be so concerned about their physical appearance as we have already mentioned, but to be clothed with good works, as befits women who profess piety. Christian women, who profess piety, should be characterized, not by their external adornments and ostentatious clothing and jewelry, but by their good works, that is, a life where the center of attention is Christ reflected in them.
The apostle Peter presents a similar teaching:
Your adornment should not be merely outward, such as braided hair and wearing gold jewelry or putting on fine clothes, but rather that of the hidden person, the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For in this way the holy women who trusted in God once adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands. I Peter 3:3-5.
Clothing has a very strong influence on an individual's personality. When someone dresses casually, their behavior will be more relaxed, and when they dress formally, such as when attending church, their behavior will automatically adjust to the place where they are.
To conclude, I personally believe that we should not condemn or consider a sister who wears pants to be a sin, as long as they are worn with modesty.
In some churches this is considered a sin but those who wear skirts are approved even if it reveals their body inappropriately. In other churches, women can show their legs but if they cover their heads, this behavior is approved.
I have personally studied different cultures including their ways of dressing and I believe that is why Paul does not speak of pants. God did not instruct Paul to present a specific style, but to present the principles that would govern styles.
This is the parameter established by God regarding women's clothing and does not include or exclude pants. It is very important to maintain the harmony of the Bible in all aspects, for those of us who truly wish to do God's will and be pleasing to Him.
God bless you!
Pastor Martin Wolf
www.trinitychurch.com
pastormartinlobo@gmail.com
