What is Dressing Like the World?

I hope they see a modestly dressed feminine woman who loves the LORD with all of her heart and exhibits the fruits of the Spirit, not the fruits of T J Max.

 

amen!!!!!!

 

Still waiting on a reply from the "you must wear a suit and tie to church" crowd.

 

Ok I'm bowing back in.

I think someone said it is a cultural thing. I totally agree. Our culture today (2011 USA) is so messed up that we are trying to be the world to reach the world including how we dress. I think the seeker friendly church that seems to be prevailent now (Joel Osteen and the like) is going to be the downfall of the Church.

I believe the local church's primary mission should be a place to equip the Saints (we are the saints) to go ye therefore.... and reach the lost.

One thing that this country can do very well is draw a crowd. All you have to do is get a very dynamic speaker (young and good looking preferrably), but a rock band behind him to sing some "Christian" songs, put him in bluejeans and teeshirt and everyone and their neighbor will come. Many will walk the isle during the invitation, chomping on their bubble gum in their baggy jeans, repeat a written prayer, and leave the building thinking they are saved. And then go back out into the world and continue living like they were and eventually die and go to hell for eternity. If Jesus himself would appear they would give him a "Hi five" and call him their buddy.

My friends, I believe that the USA is blessed by God and has been called to minister to the world. God is a Holy God and deserves our utmost reverence and praise. If this country (USA) doesn't get its act together soon, God could leave us to our own demise and reach the world some other way. He doesn't need us by the way, we need Him.

So when you dress like the world, and you know what I mean by that, you are not really representing God you are representing the world and are saying that God is just a little something extra you can add to your life to make you feel better about yourself.

 

What we wear has no bearing on our heart condition.

Disagree completely as it takes the focus off of the Holy Spirit who opens eyes and hearts and places it on what someone is wearing.

...which supports modesty, nothing beyond that. Using this verse to support wearing a dress or suit / tie to church is eisegesis.

Absolutely nothing to do with dress whatsoever.

Agreed.

Nothing to do with the discussion.

What else was required of a priest? If you are using the OT levitical law to coincide with what a NT elder must abide by, you better not forget one thing! Live by the law and you will be judged by the law.

THIS is pure legalism, IMO.

If they are judging me by what I am wearing, it is their heart that needs priming.

 

The Holy Spirit gets blamed for a lot of things. I recall a lad who came to church in ragged trousers. That was all he had. He came, and that is what counted. Many to-day think they can do the same thing, but what they do is disrespectful, in my opinion. The youngster deserved praise. The others not so.

Cheers,

Jim

 

So if a lawyer, businessman and a pastor are standing together, all wearing suits and ties, how will you know which one is the pastor?

That is just a ridiculous statement.

 

Jim, I don't think any of us are saying we are not to put any effort into our appearance, but rather suits and ties are not holy raiment.

 

I should point out that no one suggested they are. All I've ever suggested is dressing up for church is a good idea because it shows respect for other members and the church as an institution.

 

Paul should you not say, "...dressing up for church is a good idea because "in my opinion" it shows respect for other members and the church as an institution."

There are a lot of opinions floating around here about what constitutes worldly dress and very little from the Bible. Milby gave us a great illustration of proof texting but came far short of real application.

 

The one on the right obviously

 

Is there a punch-line?

 

Who do you suggest should define "dressing up"? Should it be you? Me? The Pope?

The only definition the bible even remotely suggests is to be modest. There is no dress code in scripture. God looks at the heart. We'd do well to make sure it's clean and dressed up when entering the worship service.

 

.....and the guy on the left says........

:laugh:

 

Everyone knows what dressing up means. Anyone who needs a definition is just trying to justify why they don't.

 

If the Bible doesn't define it, then we're wasting our time.

And the Bible has a one-word definition for "dressing up". That word is "modesty". It is actually a very simple concept, but it is complicated by our flesh which loves pomp and circumstance as well as to draw attention to itself.

 

Milby, can you provide any scripture reference to "dressing up" and the biblical definition of it?

No? Then it is a man made term.

 

Nope I can't. Your right it is a man made term. All I'm saying is everyone on this board knows what it means to "dress up".

There is not a biblical definition for lets say "speed limit" either but everyone knows what it means.

I know that was a dorky example but it's all I could think of just now. Theres another one "dorky" no biblical definition but everyone knows what it means. At least in our culture (USA)

 

Not neccessarily. Apparently you have not traveled very much. For instance, I live in a small town on the Cumberland Plateau. It has been mainly a farming town for many, many years, much of it poor. It's a very "country" place where people still speak "mountain" language, such as "how are youins?". "Dressing up" in certain communities here has a vastly different definition than that of someone who lives on "5th ave".

That is why we should not judge based on clothing. That is a very worldly thing.

But you are entitled to your opinion as I am to mine. I will leave it there.

 

Come on Milby, dress up, is a relative term. I wear a starched shirt, 100% cotton, cuffed, starched pants, spit polished shoes, and a tie to church but I'm am not going to wear a sport coat. They are just too hot in my opinion and therefore a distraction to my being able to lead worship in a right frame of mind. To some I'm overdressed and to others my refusal to wear a coat with the tie is akin to sacrilege.