What is Dressing Like the World?

The question about dressing is the epitome of subjectivity. (Though I think his has been a pleasant discussion.)

I wonder how much longer some wings of evangelicalism will persist in being defined by the whims of the 1930-1950s.

 

Wearing a suit and tie is worldly.. .look at the greedy people on Wallstreet!

 

From what I see down here, most of the folks coming out of our bars, and in jail when we go over to them are as you have asked. It is almost as if you don't have tattoos, you aren't, piercing I see a lot of the holes from it when witnessing to those in jail and it isn't often I see someone wearing a T shirt that isn't an add for something or somebody. Even see it in church, as I've seen from the 50's on the attire worn by folks going to jail and their fashion style is what so many people try to copy, young and old.
But for their special deals they seem to dress like royalty.
I've been in a few churches down here trying to be open to all, that I even seen short shorts and halter tops on the young women and some not so young.

So I would say if you look around yourself you can see how the world dresses in your part of the world.

 

I went to a funeral last night. I wore a tie, just for the heck of it (I wasn't speaking, although I am pastor to one of the families.) There was one other man in attendance wearing a tie- the funeral director.

The majority of the men were dressed in polo shirts (or golf shirts) with either dress pants or jeans. A few had t-shirts on.

There were about 200-250 people there.

I asked the deceased what she thought and there was no comment.

 

I have a feeling is she answered you would have been at a lost for words.

 

And they might be having a funeral for me today!:laugh:

 

I don't like to think of it as being a whim but more what we are comfortable with. I grew up when women wore hats and gloves, men wore suits and ties. We weren't uncomfortable...I'm still not uncomfortable wearing a dress and heels. (although the heels are much lower these days!)

We need to be recognizable as a Christian. I don't necessarily think that means we should never wear a pair of jeans...I'd hate to think about pulling weeds or riding the tractor in a dress and heels....but I also can't quite bring myself to wear jeans into the sanctuary. In my heart it is a lack or respect for the awesome power of God.

As for the original question....what makes the way a Chrisitian dresses different than the way the world dresses...I hope that's what's in their heart. For instance...I can not dress in a way that would cause my Christan brothers to sin. I can not wear clothes that cause his eyes to wander past my face when we're speaking. I say can not, rather than will not, because it is something the Lord has strongly laid upon my heart. I used to be a real "flash and trash" dresser in years past....the shorter, the tighter, the glitzier, the better. But God showed me that a Christian woman should not do that...her attire should be modest and not attract attention to her body. There was a period in my life, while God was working on my heart, that I was not at liberty to wear anything but a dress. (That's tough when you're going through physical therapy for a knee injury!) Now, I can wear modest slacks and tops...but it's because my heart changed and God gave me the freedom once again.

So, I suppose if GOD gives one the liberty to wear jeans, t-shirts, sweats and the like to church then who am I to argue with them?

 

There are jeans, and then again, there are jeans. For both men and women.

Some are deliberately flaunting parts that need rather to be hidden. Christians have no business in those jeans anywhere.

But both genders can find modest jeans. For some of us, climate makes those preferable to live in. And that means the poorer in our communities will probably have a "best pair" of jeans that will work their way down to every day clothes.

For them to wear them to church is NOT disrespectful.

And then again, others Christians who do not want to make them feel bad about what they can afford to wear will also show up in jeans.

Well, that reason plus blizzards.

 

I wear jeans into the sanctuary and thank God for His great power in creating the cotton plant from which my jeans were made, which not only makes them comfortable, but quite durable, not needing to be replaced as often as "dressy" clothes.

 

You must be hard on your dress clothes, Miss Amy. I have many dresses which are far older than any pair of jeans I own! :tongue3: Truthfully, I don't feel legalistic about it, for me it's a conviction given to me by the Lord. I don't look down my nose at someone who chooses to wear slacks or jeans to church. I do wonder, at times, if they do it strictly because they want to prove a point or, draw attention to themselves, or if they do it because it's all they have to wear.

 

I wear them because there are no dress codes (spoken or otherwise) at my church. I live in a small town and it's very common to see men come to church in overalls (or "overHalls) as some call them :laugh:. Some men wear suits and ties. I always dress nice, whether jeans or a dress.
It's how the heart is "dressed" that matters.
Of course modesty is always encouraged and we've never had a problem with it.

 

Why should you wonder? It's between them and the Lord.

 

I guess for the same reason I often wonder why men wear black dress shirts and red ties that make them look like a mafia hit man. Or the same reason I wonder why golfers wear those silly looking plaid pants. Or the same reason I wonder why people wrap a perfectly good steak in a slab of greasy bacon...or the other million or two things I wonder about in a week LOL

 

Gotcha! :laugh:

 

Poor thing looks bloated. Does anyone have alka seltzers(sp??)???

Or maybe she's impacted and needs an enema.......just sayin'

 

Not to mention some of the things deacons wear... They look sort of like used car salesmen at times... Where does one find a green plaid sport coat?

 

Goodwill.:laugh:

 

Oh thank you! Thank you!!! I've been so sick this week and this post made me laugh!!! First time I've laughed since I got sick. An out-loud belly laugh too, not just a little giggle or snicker!

 

I laugh too... :thumbs:

 

I am reminded of a Quote from years ago by Dorothy Killgallon on the tv show "whats my Line?". A woman should wear her clothes so people would know that she's a womam not so that they wouldn't know she's a LADY.