The way that you dress reveals who you are!!!

In this article I would like to draw attention to the way that we dress because it is very important that we are decent in our dress code, showing that we have common sense in this area of life. In our world today it seems to be stylish to dress as indecently as possible. One day as I was walking down the street I heard two young men talking to each other and one of them said the following, “Summer is coming soon so that means the girls will start undressing for us, man it is good to be men!”. Do you realize where we are as a civilized society? People no longer have shame when it comes to their bodies, especially the more personal parts, which are for our future spouses only. It seems to be popular to be as rude as possible in our dress code, not considering how others may be affected by our actions. A girl’s body has become like a piece of meet on display for all to see and fantasize over. If you speak with older people you will probably hear them say that things were not always like they are today, people used to have a little shame, especially girls in the way that they dressed. They used to dress well yet decent at the same time, which is still possible today. The idea of dressing well and decent is not a strange idea, in fact, it has its origins in the Bible.

People have always emphasized the exterior qualities of the human body, especially the physical features of women. They are to have the most beautiful bodies, the most beautiful faces, as well as clothes and so on and very little emphasis is placed on their characters. She is to dress in such a way that she will attract men’s attention so that they will desire her and run after her. Dressing well and being beautiful physically are not bad things in themselves, especially when you do that for your spouse (not the one who you “know” will be yours soon). The problem is that people do the exact opposite in our day, placing all of the emphasis on the exterior qualities and nothing on the interior (character). So much emphasis is placed on attracting a partner before marriage that people seem to forget to attract their partner after they get married. Once you get married then you are married to that person, spending a lot of time together, getting to know each other’s character much better. You will soon find out that you placed so much emphasis on the exterior that you forgot the most important part, the interior (character) which anyone who is married will tell you that the interior is much more important in marriage than the exterior. Those who married for the exterior qualities only are usually the ones who become enemies after they have lived together for a while instead of having a wonderful marriage without regrets.

If a girl’s purpose is to attract a man using her physical features then she will be able to accomplish her purpose because men are attracted visually. The problem that appears is what kind of man will be attracted by this girl? Let us say that it works out as she has planned, she dresses seductively and attracts a man, they get married, and begin a life together. What will he be like in their marriage? If he was so easily attracted by her will he not be just as easily attracted by other women even if he is married? Let us look from another point of view. Maybe you like to dress in a seductive way, if so do you realize what an obstacle you become for men who do not want to have immoral thoughts? It is very difficult for a man not to have immoral thoughts and with your dress code you make it even more difficult for him. You may cause him to fall into temptation and God does not like that, yes it is his choice but you play a role in his demise. Actually if you like to dress in the stylish, modern way then God calls you a harlot. No one wants to be a harlot (prostitute). Here is what God has to say in His Holy Book in Proverbs (words of wisdom), ” 7:10 And behold, a woman comes to meet him, Dressed as a harlot and cunning of heart.”

Many times people realize that there is a problem but they do not have a solution to offer. God is not like people, He realizes the problems that we face and He gives us the answers in His Holy Scriptures. In His Word He teaches us to place emphasis on our character (interior) more than on our exterior (physical features). This is especially true for girls because they have a tendency to place so much emphasis on the exterior. God has this to say,

3 Your adornment must not be merely external– braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses;4 but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.5 For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands . (1 Peter 3:3-5 )

 9 Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments,10 but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness. (1 Timothy 2:9-10)

The things written here were not written to tell us to put no emphasis whatsoever on our exterior but they were written to remind us that the greatest emphasis is to be placed on our character (interior), meaning our hearts, minds, etc. We need to be careful about building our characters now and once we are married then we can focus on our exterior features in order to attract and please our spouses. May the Lord help us!!!

By Erik Brewer