How Is A Christian Lady Supposed to Dress?

[missmuffet]

You know. This whole thing can be taken away to far and we women end up living like they do in the Middle East. Where you are not allowed to leave your house without your husband or a male family member escorting you.

That is exaggerating.A woman can look modest without wearing a Burqa.

[AnythingIsPossible]

I think it comes back to loving one another..

 

The Sisters have to have love for their brothers, dressing in a manner that is fitting, that will not allure or capture unwanted glances, though of course this will change from culture to culture, they have to remember that a man's eye is quick.. That the brothers are her family in the Lord precious and loved by the King of Kings

 

The Brothers have to remember that if Sister does dress inappropriately it is not an invitation, that if she smiles at him, it is not a come-on, that she is his sister in the Lord, precious set aside to be honoured and loved, she should feel safe in the family of God.

 

When i have come across this in the church, I have asked a mature sister in the Lord to have a word with the younger sisters rather than approach them myself, so that they can be gently taught the way of the Lord in these matters, without feeling embarrassed or picked upon.   And the young men likewise need to be taught with gentleness, sometimes coming from the world into the Lords family can be a bit of a shock..

 

But in all that we do on these matters, they should be done in love, teaching scripture in a gentle manner.

 

Praise be to the lover of our souls

Amen

 

Andy

[Openly Curious]

I am amazed at how many will in one breath claim the Bible is the inerrant Word of God and in the next breath say we don't need to obey it, but we should do as we feel.

 

I know Butero you are probably in a whole different realm than I am speaking from here so I hope you will take that into acccount in my reply. But there are things that are written about in the scriptures that does come down to how a person feels about it as their is personal conviction and a person will have to choose (what is right or wrong for them in certain matters of scripture).

 

Then there are those who think personal revelation trumps scripture. There is never going to be anything figured out when you deal with people like that, because "my" revelations may be different from theirs.

There is also a group of people who have revealtion on certain subjects and don't see that their "own" revelations are apart from God's word in understanding. But yet they demand that their revelations and beliefs are the absoulute truth and all others are wrong and dictate their "own" truths as the only truths. This group is blind to their own doings in understanding.

There is a second passage I want to bring into this discussion that "seems" to be along the same lines as that in the OP.  1 Peter 3:1-6

 

LIKEWISE, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

2  While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

Submission to husband's is not the subject or what was in the OP that was being addressed. But I do see that how a women in general conducts herself and not just wives does have power and influence of Holy Spirit in the lives of other people in postive ways in what she allows or doesn't allow in her life which applies to the men as well.  

Before I continue, I noticed one person asked about scriptures pertaining to men, and if men are following scripture as they should.  That is completely irrelevant.  We are told not to compare ourselves to others, and that doing so is unwise.  You can't discredit one passage to one group of individuals by asking if others obey the Word.  The simple fact of the matter is, if anyone is not obeying the Word, they will have to answer to God, both men and women.

If you take the verses that was spoken about in the OP and put them in their proper context you will find that the chapter as a whole is both how the men and women are to conduct themselves when they go to a worship service in church. It gives and puts what the emphasis of the men and women are to be on in the church service. So what is being said about the men is just as much relevent as what is said to women in worship service if you want the proper understanding of the scripture in it's proper context. It has nothing to do with "comparison from one person to another" but instead it is a willing choice to point out only the faults in women's lives when there is much more written and spoken about in said chapter but it's all overlooked so the reasons for what is being written to the men and women in the chapter is never shown or seen in light of our conduct in a worship service at church in how it should be it is totally overlooked so there is never understanding given on this type of issues. I happen to see the surrounding scripture of said text in question in the OP and know the difference.

 

I bring this up here because it states that if "any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;" meaning that even if the husbands aren't following scripture, the wives are still instructed to do so.  I can also reverse that and say the same thing about the men.  We all have to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling.  Let's continue.

Again the subject of the thread is not about husbands and wives and by saying that I am not disannulling what you have said. But neither a man or a woman is above the other when it comes to obedience. I think that is pretty understandable as both are to be the example to the other both influences the other in the relationship as it is not a one way street to just the womens obedience. If it is true that we each have to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling (which it is true) then we are somewhere down the line going to have to leave people alone and quit pointing fingers and let them alone to do just that work it our for themselves after all it is their salvation not ours to dictate.

3  Whose adorning let it "NOT" be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel.

4  But "let it be" the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

5  For after this "manner" (speaking to and about the manner above ^) in the old time the holy women "also", who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands.

6  Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him Lord:  whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

This passage of scripture is very forth right and if a woman wants to know how to dress this verse gives the answer to you. It plainly tells the women saints the emphasis shouldn't be on the outward as various reasons why have been discussed within this thread already. But it specifically tells the women saints to dress the "hidden man" of their hearts that is what they are to be dressing and with a meek and quiet spirit in which God can use them in their influence. It teaches the christian woman that the hidden person she is in her heart is not corriputible but it is of great price in the sight of God. Christian women who live a life of faith as Sara was given us an example as she followed God from her heart just as Abraham did but it was from dressing and adorning the hidden man in her heart and not her outward man. A Christian woman who trust and has faith in God will adorn their inward man and walk humbly before the Lord their husband. Just a point here take or leave it but a woman who dresses her inward man cannot put physical things like clothing, jewlery or makeup as those things can't be done. The outward man needs clothing only for the purpose of covering their nakedness and no other purpose. The scripture passage in which you bring into the conversation specifically says and teaches that to women. Dressing our inward man is doing what is right in the sight of God living by faith trusting in God. Christian women should have a good spirit a good heart on the inside as God can use them in their influence. The emphasis is not being put on dressing the outward person at all and that is not being taught to womwn.  

This should clear the matter up.  What the Bible is saying is that the main emphasis should not be on the outward appearance, but the inward person.  That doesn't mean the outward has no value.  It is a reflection of the inner man, and modesty is important, but I don't believe the primary purpose of either this passage or the OP was to prohibit women from wearing any jewelry or plaiting their hair, ever.  I think he is simply making a comparison.  Instead of wearing gold and natural apparel or plaiting the hair, be more concerned with the inner beauty that comes from ornaments like a meek and quite spirit, and being in subjection to their husbands.  If the intent was to say women can't wear gold or plait their hair, is he also telling them to go around nude?  He says their outward adorning shouldn't be the "putting on of apparel."  This is a comparison.  You can dress the outward in a way that is pleasing to the eyes, but be ugly on the inside.  Whether it be men or women, we should care about the inner man and the outward man, but the main point is that we not neglect the inner man.

The scripture is teaching and telling women of faith to adorn or dress their inward man and specifically tells them, "Let it NOT be the outward adoring or dressing of their outward person that is what scripture says not that you aren't to put some clothes on to cover up your nakedness everyday. A woman cannot adorn or dress her inward man by putting makeup or jewelry on her inward man nor any type of physical clothing as clothing is only used on the outward man to cover up the nakedness of the outward man everyday else you would be naked in the eyes of everyone that saw you.

[Estrella]

I think it comes back to loving one another..

The Sisters have to have love for their brothers, dressing in a manner that is fitting, that will not allure or capture unwanted glances, though of course this will change from culture to culture, they have to remember that a man's eye is quick.. That the brothers are her family in the Lord precious and loved by the King of Kings

The Brothers have to remember that if Sister does dress inappropriately it is not an invitation, that if she smiles at him, it is not a come-on, that she is his sister in the Lord, precious set aside to be honoured and loved, she should feel safe in the family of God.

When i have come across this in the church, I have asked a mature sister in the Lord to have a word with the younger sisters rather than approach them myself, so that they can be gently taught the way of the Lord in these matters, without feeling embarrassed or picked upon. And the young men likewise need to be taught with gentleness, sometimes coming from the world into the Lords family can be a bit of a shock..

But in all that we do on these matters, they should be done in love, teaching scripture in a gentle manner.

Praise be to the lover of our souls

Amen

Andy

Thumbs up

[ayin jade]

 

 

And looking frumpy, dowdy, inelegant, shabby and colorless is not exactly spiritual either.

 

How? That implies a woman has to dress pleasing to the world if you say looking inelegant or frumpy isnt spiritual. 

There is nothing spiritual about looking dishevelled or shabby (Mt 6:16-18):

¹⁶ Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

¹⁷ But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;

¹⁸ That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

 

 

Reading in context ....

 

The reason for the unwashed face was to give the appearance of fasting, of being holy. It has nothing to do with just looking frumpy or shabby. It was because of an outward holier than thou appearance. So if I dont wear makeup and I look frumpy in off the rack but modest clothes, its not being unspiritual. I disagree with your interpretation.

[Estrella]

When i visit temples, i was a hindu, you will never find any woman or man dressed inappropriately. Well most temples, never had dress codes, however it is already embedded in our minds, that when we go temple, u dress appropriately. And yes this scope of modesty do differ according to culture. What is deemed modest in a culture, may not be modest in another. And yes, ive seen men and women both dressed inappropriately in church. With all the bling blings and etc. But i refrain from judging or making assumptions... Why ive seen a woman smoke in the church! I nearly gasped for breath. At the same time, men do too. So o i judge her coz she is a woman? Where i come from, if you attend indian church, you find many in sarees or indian traditional clothings and modern attire of course. Chinese church, short skirts and and above knee length skirt are common and acceptable, and other races have their own preferences. And no, no one or no men in that church had to run to the gents halfway through service. (If you know what i mean). Dont get me wrong, i am an advocate of modesty. And certain people way of dressing be it men or women, put me off at times but i figured out, i shouldnt shove modesty down people's throat. But do so with gentle and loving kindness. N never pass judgement. Coz modesty is not just outward appearance but inward too. I come from a country where the current issue is on guidelines to attire according to one group of people. Which is sooo silly. I see the hypocrisy in all these. Fyi, if you go to a muslim country, what you call modest, is considered immodest to them. In some countries, covering your hair is a must although you are not a muslim. Thank God Malaysia is still far from this, although bigots are trying to take over the country.

[missmuffet]

How does a man dress when he is dressing inappropriately? 

[LadyKay]

How does a man dress when he is dressing inappropriately? 

 

Socks with sandles !

[Openly Curious]

How does a man dress when he is dressing inappropriately?

What are your own ideas towards men dressing inappropriately from a biblical standpoint?

Concerning the inward man vs. the outward man.

Where should the emphasis be placed at when dealing with men.

Is there a standard for men written in God's word or does it only address a woman's manner of dress?

[missmuffet]

 

How does a man dress when he is dressing inappropriately?

What are your own ideas towards men dressing inappropriately from a biblical standpoint?

Concerning the inward man vs. the outward man.

Where should the emphasis be placed at when dealing with men.

Is there a standard for men written in God's word or does it only address a woman's manner of dress?

 

You are talking two different topics if you are talking inward man or outward man.I am saying how does a man dress outwardly if they are dressing inappropriately?