How then shall we dress?

Here are a couple senarios of inconsistencies in men/women dress that have been posed to Keith and I:

One person asked why, in "conservative" circles (I'm assuming he means Anabaptist/Amish/Mennonite), the women must wear clothes that are so much different from the world, but the men can wear whatever they want?

Another person relayed recently seeing a couple in which the lady was wearing a long, modest dress, headcovering, etc. and the man was wearing shorts and a tank top. He was rightfully disgusted. He also told of his mother being very upset by the "double standard" that she saw in the church.

So, because this topic addresses both men and women and it could be considered Biblical teaching, Keith and I are working together on this post. The writing of this occurred while Keith worked on a van up on a hoist in the shop, children were running around in glee and parents stopped occasionally to help teach them how to ride bikes without training wheels for the first time (Yeah!!), and me with pen and paper. Such is life.

Let's look at a couple Scriptures.

1 Tim 2:8-10 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
KJV

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;While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;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. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: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.
KJV

There is a specific Scriptural basis for women to dress modestly. There is an indirect basis for men and women alike. Being separate from the world encompasses many things, but dress (following the fads and fashions of the world) is one way that so many run after things of this life.
Rom 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
KJV

John 17:14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
KJV

Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
KJV

James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
KJV

James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
KJV

1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:
KJV

1 John 2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
KJV

What has happened to the saving of our bodies soley for our spouse? We now want to "let it all hang out". We may not be physically intimate with the person we pass on the street, but for those who don't look away, nothing is left to the imagination and yet imaginations run wild. Interesting paradox.

Within conservative Christian circles, there is often many controversies regarding this topic. The phrase "dress modestly" is debated, as it should be, but Scriptural backbone is often lacking in church leadership.

Practically speaking, men tend to be more visually stimulated. Why would I (Heidi) want to dress in a way to reveal things meant only for the intimacies of the marriage bed? I do not want to stand before God on judgment day and give account for my part in encouraging lustful thoughts in men that see me. (I am in no way trying to suggest that I have any special looks compared to the next woman, by the way.)

Now, to move on to the inconsistencies seen with men's attire. Is it any more acceptable for men to dress in a way that encourages women to take a second glance? Absolutely not, especially for the Christian. There is an added level of responsibility and a "higher bar" for the Christian, as there should be. To whom much is given, much is required.

Women's attire has tended to have become more and more risque for some time and since Scripture addresses it specifically, Anabaptist churches have made decisions on what would be acceptable or not. It is within the jurisdiction of the church to determine the practical working out of Scriptural principles. Men's dress has stayed more consistently modest, in general (i.e. pants and button-down shirts), but admittedly has become more revealing as well.

To many "Christians" shame, the age-old deception of "saved by works" comes into play here again. Since many churches don't have agreements regarding dress for men, men feel free to dress how they want, without any concern for their stand before God. Women, likewise adhere to the established dress agreement (or tradition as it may be) and therefore feel that they are in right standing before God. Neither are correct. God is concerned with the heart motive behind the actions. Rules, regulations, and tradition don't' save us. Acknowledging our sinful nature, repenting of it and giving our lives and service to the One who died for us does. Obedience to the Word is an essential component to serving Christ.

When Keith and I saw God's Truths regarding dress, we made changes. I (Heidi) began wearing longer, modest dresses. Keith now wears suspenders, plain button-down shirts, and plain slacks in public. In that way, we feel that we are both adhering to God's call for us to be modest and separate from the fashions of the world. The question was posed to us one time, "If you and Heidi were in a store, but were at different areas, would someone else walking through the store be able to know that you were husband and wife?" Interesting question and one that we pondered much.

Here is another example with an interesting twist. We know a man, who is very humble, and when he found out that him wearing short-sleeved, button-down shirts was causing another woman to stumble in her thoughts, he made an immediate decision to wear long-sleeved, button-down shirts in public from that point on. What an amazing example of love and accommodation for another person's soul!

It is no wonder that "hypocrite" is one of the biggest hindrances for non-Christians coming to the saving knowledge of Christ. In the same way, it is no wonder that it is one of the biggest reasons for people leaving the church. Inconsistencies such as the examples that were posed to us reveal deep deception and false assumptions regarding what it means to follow Christ.

May God help us to walk the walk of being Christ's disciples.