One of the clear statements included on “The Brethren Card” is related to outward apparel. It says that the Church of the Brethren “opposes on Scriptural grounds . . . . extravagant and immodest dress (1 Timothy 2:8-10; 1 Peter 3:1-6).” The faithful Christian needs to be concerned about his wardrobe.
Worldly dress is often extravagant. The Bible says that our attire should not include “costly array.” The amount of money wasted annually because of changing styles is staggering. The news magazines report that in high fashion there is a tremendous market for dresses that are priced well over three hundred dollars each. And then of course, when the styles change, these are discarded, and new clothes are bought. By way of contrast, simple, modest, distinctive dress is economical because it is not thrown out each time the style changes.
Vain displays and foolish fads in dress must be avoided by God’s people. Those who love the Lord take seriously the Scriptural admonition which says that the wearing of “gold and pearls and costly array” is prohibited (1 Timothy 2:9). Costly array and glittering jewelry and sharp dressing are out of the question for the Christian pilgrim, because these things foster pride; they are a mark of conformity to the world; they are the opposite of a meek and quiet spirit. God doesn’t expect our clothes to look like the front page of the latest fashion magazine.
Worldly dress is often immodest. The instructions in 1 Timothy 2:9 say that our adornment should be in ,’modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety.” Modest apparel is clothing that covers the body instead of exposing and advertising it. Short skirts, transparent blouses, clinging sweaters, etc. arouse sexual attention, and must be avoided by God’s people. Many of the blue jeans and pantsuits that women are wearing, are tight-fitting in the right places, and are an abomination in the eyes of God. Both men and women need to guard against wearing less and less and exposing more and more.
Some say that lust is all the man’s fault. He is dirty-minded if he is wrongly attracted. While it is true that the man who looks on a woman to lust after her, commits adultery with her already in his heart – the man is committing sin – it is also true that adultery cannot be committed alone. It takes two to commit adultery. The woman who exposes her body to become lustfully attractive, and the man who is sinfully attracted, both are equally guilty.
The Bible standard for the Christian’s clothing and grooming, is that it should be neat and modest, and becoming and serviceable — without ornamentation and without display of wealth. The true ornament is a quiet and peaceful spirit.
May/June 1978