"In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works…not purloining, but showing all good fidelity;

that they [you] may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.”                         Titus 2:7,10

Although the Scriptures do not give explicit instructions as to a
specific dress code for Christians, it does provide us with a few basic
principles that should be taken into account before we choose what
clothes we wear. Well-meaning, but ignorant believers attempting to
codify these principles have run into problems trying to do so,
forgetting the span of history and the diversity of cultures that
represent Christ across the globe. Whether in the meeting or in the
marketplace, our dress just as much as our words and actions can
reflect our attitude toward the things of the Lord—and toward others.

One very clear principle that is upheld in Scripture regarding dress is
that of modesty. Dress and clothing styles can differ greatly among
communities of believers worldwide, but modesty is an identifiable
standard that is understood by all. The Apostle Paul in speaking to the
older women in Christ, charged them to instruct the younger women to be
“discreet” and “chaste” (Titus 2:5) – a concern that must have surely
included their outward adorning. No doubt it was an issue then, as it
is now in a day in which the fashion industry pushes relentlessly
against the borders of moral decency. In Proverbs 7, King Solomon makes
reference to the dress of the strange woman who is characterized as
having the “attire of an harlot”, a further reminder that the Lord
draws a distinction between right and wrong clothing standards.
Believers (both men and women) need to make sure that they do not adopt
the world’s standards in dress and appearance, which have become
increasingly salacious and mainstream in recent years. Rev. 18 cites
that one segment of Babylon
that will be judged for it’s widespread wickedness is the fashion
industry (v. 12), which has profited immensely from it’s anti-Christian
influence in the world.  It gives a different slant on the words of the Apostle Paul when he said to the Corinthians:

“the fashion of the world passeth away”  (1
Cor. 7:31). Modesty in dress is not only honoring to the Lord but it
affirms that we are changed people who are not to be conformed to this
world, (Romans 12:2) but to be set apart from it.  And
older saints, who have through the years learned this important truth,
need to be sensitive to younger ones in the meeting who have recently
come out of “Egypt” and are just beginning to learn the implications of the believer’s sanctification.      

Further, Scripture also teaches that over attention to dress should
never characterize the saints. In writing to believing wives married to
unsaved husbands (1 Peter 3), the Apostle Peter urged them to not put
undue emphasis upon their outward appearance, but on

“the hidden man of the heart”, the inward person whose true character is being observed constantly by the Lord. (1 Samuel 16:7)  To
do so, is simply self-occupation and a misplaced emphasis on the true
issues of life. Rather, to cultivate godly character by yielding to the
Holy Spirit is what will bring forth fruit that is pleasing to God and
is among the few things that are great in the sight of the Lord. (1
Peter 3:4).  It is what the husbandman waits for while He tarries –

“the precious fruit of the earth” (James 5:7).  In
a day in which there is a heavy emphasis on “looks” and far less on
character, it is incumbent upon Christians to make sure that character
is the brightest thing we have that shines. In short, more emphasis
should be put on radiating Christ than on impressing those around us by
our dress. A visiting servant of the Lord felt he was having difficulty
reaching the audience to whom he was preaching. When he asked a wise
brother who labored in that region what the reason might be, he
explained to him that the gold fob that hung from his vest pocket was a
hindrance to that group of Christians, many of whom were
poverty-stricken.  Christians should sensitive to those around us

“to please his neighbor for his good to edification.”  (Romans 15:2)  The
mentality of “dress to impress”, whether in the meeting or in the
marketplace can simply be nothing more than an “I” problem revealing a
problem with our focus – on us, rather than the Lord.   To
do so, can easily foster partiality among believers (James 2) and serve
selfish interests and is contrary to the attitude, which is content to
simply have food and raiment.  Consider the Lord Jesus, who though He was the Lord of Glory, who in a figurative sense

“laid aside His garments” (John 13:4) and humbly walked among us, not clothed in brilliant apparel but identifying with the common man.  Modest
and inexpensive dress will offend far less people and can serve to
broaden the scope of our ministry among Christians and non-Christians
alike. 

Many Christians in agreement that we should not follow the world’s
fashions can actually err in the opposite direction. Citing the example
of Elijah and John the Baptist who were identified by their rough garb
(2 Kings 1, Matt. 3) they feel that anything else is “flashy” and
worldly. But to this perspective can easily be countered by the example
of the servants of King Solomon. (1 Kings 10) When the Queen of Sheba
conducted her expedition to investigate the claims of Solomon, there
were a few things that she noted about his kingdom that literally took
her breath away. Among them was the

“meat on his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel…”. (v.
5) Their character and their clothing reflected well on their king and
on the great standing and privileges that they possessed. It caused her
to proclaim

“Happy are thy men, happy are thy servants who stand continually before thee, and who hear thy wisdom” (v.
8). Likewise, our attitude and appearance by the way we dress displays
our gratitude to the One who is a “greater than Solomon” who has raised
us up and made us to sit in “heavenly places”.