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Society says we should to “dress to impress” or “dress to kill.” Hmm, the spiritual gravity of such statements! Sadly, many Christians have bought into this idea of dressing to ‘shock’ our neighbor to jealousy and envy! In the name of showing others our assets, many of us have gone to extremes to purchase flashy clothing, cars, houses. But as Christians we are called to emulate the very life of Jesus Christ, and as I study the life of Jesus, I am greatly challenged! While Jesus was on earth, He walked in absolute humility. In fact, he was the epitome of humility. For a follower of His to wish to “dress to impress” or “dress to kill” generates from a heart of pride, and self-centeredness which must be crucified on the Cross of Christ.
Even though Jesus was the Son of God to whom belongs riches and wealth both in heaven and on earth, His attire and foot-ware were not the focal point of His ministry – actually they were the least attention grabber in His ministry on earth. Many of us are so conscious of what we wear. We go out of our way to buy popular brand name clothing, wear it, and make it noticeable enough just so that people may detect it, and feed our self-indulgence with compliments. Wearing brand name clothing is not a sin, but the motive behind it must be evaluated by the life of Christ! Jesus’ humility, compassion, love, and kindness superseded His physical appearance which we ought to learn.
He was the Son of God and ought to have worn the fanciest, and most gorgeous clothing and foot-ware; but, He placed low significance to his attire. He knew the purpose for coming to earth and that purpose was the driving force of His ministry. He lived, walked, talked and desired to fulfill the plan of God for His life, not to show man that He was the Son of God through His fancy, flamboyant attire. If you are a Christian who always wants to be noticed via your ‘assets and possessions’, (luke 12:15) you are not sanctified as Christ was. Your ‘self’ is very much in full gear and demands crucifixion. You must be sanctified to demonstrate Christ-likeness.
He was the Son of God and ought to have worn the fanciest, and most gorgeous clothing and foot-ware; but, He placed low significance to his attire. He knew the purpose for coming to earth and that purpose was the driving force of His ministry. He lived, walked, talked and desired to fulfill the plan of God for His life, not to show man that He was the Son of God through His fancy, flamboyant attire. If you are a Christian who always wants to be noticed via your ‘assets and possessions’, (luke 12:15) you are not sanctified as Christ was. Your ‘self’ is very much in full gear and demands crucifixion. You must be sanctified to demonstrate Christ-likeness.
Dressing to impress often displays a woman’s nakedness to the world which is a serious, and damnable sin before God. This exposure of the most sensitive and precious parts of a woman’s body inevitably attracts males’ attention via their eyes, it steals their heart as the devil moderates the heart of man to imagine evil inspired by the images seen with the eyes, resulting in pollution of the heart, and spiritual deadness to the holy spirit of God. Unfortunately, if repentance is not made, eternal deadness awaits both the lady and the guy. Dressing to kill, truly kills physically and eternally! Lust will produce in a man who lays his eyes on a half naked woman.
By the exposure of her body, he is tempted to go into the act of fornication with her which can lead to contracting sexually transmitted diseases from which he will die physically and will enter into a second death in eternity in hell. This dangerous cascade of death stems from an active ‘self’ in a ladies’ life. There is nothing more beautiful than for ladies to literally surrender every aspect of our life: heart, mind and body entirely at the Cross of Jesus where a total regeneration and renewal of our carnal minds will be made conformed to the will of God! It is not a sin to dress and look nice. However, there is a clear difference between nicely, modestly, dressed verses flamboyantly, and arrogantly dressed and for one’s appearance to scream for attention at initial glance!
By the exposure of her body, he is tempted to go into the act of fornication with her which can lead to contracting sexually transmitted diseases from which he will die physically and will enter into a second death in eternity in hell. This dangerous cascade of death stems from an active ‘self’ in a ladies’ life. There is nothing more beautiful than for ladies to literally surrender every aspect of our life: heart, mind and body entirely at the Cross of Jesus where a total regeneration and renewal of our carnal minds will be made conformed to the will of God! It is not a sin to dress and look nice. However, there is a clear difference between nicely, modestly, dressed verses flamboyantly, and arrogantly dressed and for one’s appearance to scream for attention at initial glance!
If we are going to be like Jesus Christ as Christians, we must let the mind of Christ be in us in humility, lowliness, and simplicity. As our minds become transformed into that of Christ’s, our actions, desires, and passions will be conformed to those of Christ’s. We will want what He wants, and do what He wants which will result in happiness on earth, and lead to eternal bliss. Most importantly we must know the purpose of God for our lives and allow Him to properly clothe us (Gen 3:21) to accomplish His work for us on earth! Jesus knew His purpose and allowed God to clothe Him appropriately to fulfill that purpose.
So also must we permit God to provide us with, and clothe us with non-restrictive, non revealing, well covered clothing that will enable us to fulfill God’s plan for our lives. Only God can properly clothe us in order that we will be accepted in His sight and be a worthy vessel in His hands used to draw souls to His Kingdom. Fundamentally, ‘self’ must be dead. We achieve this deadness of ‘self’ by learning from Jesus, praying for, and striving daily to put on the selfless character of our Savior, Master, and Perfect Model – Jesus Christ.
So as a Christian, who or what is your motivation for dressing the way that you do? Who inspires your choice of apparel – ‘Self’ or the ‘Savior?’ Do you follow the changeable fashion trend of society, or the unchangeable fashion trend of the bible?
Who do you want to approve your attire – God or man? Who do you dress to impress – the attention and praise of men, or to gain the Savior’s praise by reflecting His life in your apparel?
So also must we permit God to provide us with, and clothe us with non-restrictive, non revealing, well covered clothing that will enable us to fulfill God’s plan for our lives. Only God can properly clothe us in order that we will be accepted in His sight and be a worthy vessel in His hands used to draw souls to His Kingdom. Fundamentally, ‘self’ must be dead. We achieve this deadness of ‘self’ by learning from Jesus, praying for, and striving daily to put on the selfless character of our Savior, Master, and Perfect Model – Jesus Christ.
So as a Christian, who or what is your motivation for dressing the way that you do? Who inspires your choice of apparel – ‘Self’ or the ‘Savior?’ Do you follow the changeable fashion trend of society, or the unchangeable fashion trend of the bible?
Who do you want to approve your attire – God or man? Who do you dress to impress – the attention and praise of men, or to gain the Savior’s praise by reflecting His life in your apparel?
Oh! to be like Thee, lowly in spirit,
Loving, forgiving, tender and kind,
Make me a temple meet for Thy dwelling,
Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.
Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.
This is my constant longing and prayer
Oh! to be like Thee!
I pray we will dress to inspire others to seek after Christ alone, and not to lust after our bodies. May we utterly crucify ‘Self’ in Jesus’ name! Amen.
Be blessed!
-Charity