Clothes for Church
But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. (Titus 3:9)
There are some conversations that are bound to pop up in any group of believers. One of the most controversial ones is clothing. It’s a part of our everyday lives since we wear them everyday. They represent us and show the world who we are and what we stand for. Therefore, it’s important. Some would argue that to go to Church, the house of prayer and worship that the Lord made, that we need to be dressed to the nines. While others would argue that it is not the outwear that is important, but how our hearts are. Both are supported by scripture, but which one is correct?
Let’s begin with those who say that it’s important to be very well dressed to go to church. The arguments for it are littered a little everywhere in the Bible. One of the main arguments can be found in 1 Corinthians 6:20:
For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
- 1 Corinthians 6:20
That would mean that we are supposed to truly be well dressed, but however, we must also be modest. Women are often the target of this, but it applies to men too. This can notably be seen in 1 Timothy 2:9, when he says “Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire.”
On the other side of the debate, there are those who say that the attire does not matter: it’s more a question of your heart. Some go to the sayings of the Lord to Samuel, when He said “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). They compound that with 1 Peter 3:34 to make their argument:
Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.
- 1 Peter 3:34
With both sides presented, I will say my personal opinion: both are right. We should adorn ourselves with clothes that are clean and proper, but also we must prepare our hearts to meet the Lord. Humiliate ourselves to Him, for He is holy and bought us at a high price. But I will also caution others: do not judge on the merits of clothes. This is self-explanatory after reading James 2:1 - 9 in its entirety. It’s very important to understand that so that we do not fall to sin.
Clothes should not be a question of debate or major questioning, as we are all on this quest to YHWH and trying to love and understand Him. Avert your eyes from your neighbor and turn your eyes towards Him.