Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4
You may be asking, “what on earth has this text got to do with dress sense?”
Well here goes: The other day I observed a facebook scene that triggered memories of similar instances when we lived in Bethlehem, Israel. The scene was of three women in the fore ground with the background being a Middle Eastern city. Two ladies who were walking in one direction were obviously Muslim, depicted by their apparel. The other women walking past them in the opposite direction was obviously of western origin, also clearly depicted by her choice of apparel. The two, were well covered as we have come to expect from Muslim women. The other was exposing as much flesh as she could possibly get away with! She was flaunting herself provocatively, in a country where both men and women’s attire are under the watchful eye of certain standards and Muslim law. She foolishly snubbed her nose at that and pleased herself. No dress sense.
So what about us as Christian men and women? Do we have a biblical mandate in regard to our choice of dress? I believe we do, as seen in the above text.
It’s all about motive. Even what we wear must be chosen so that Jesus Christ and His gospel will in no way be vilified and that it is not self attention seeking.
I like how Gene Getz, in his book for men, ‘The Measure of a Man’ wisely gets this across. ‘What are my motives in relationship to what I wear? Am I merely attracting attention to myself or to the Lord Jesus Christ who lives within me? Remember: You can dress elaborately to attract attention to yourself, or you can be shabby, unkempt or unclean to attract attention to yourself. Both lead to a lack of respectability.