“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness” (Isaiah 61:10).
In Part 1 of this article, we saw that there are four main principles for Christians to consider when it comes to our attire:
1) Simplicity
2) Modesty
3) Health
4) Gender Distinction
We’ve looked at Simplicity and Modesty. Now we’ll consider points three and four.
HEALTH
“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth” (3 John 2).
You’ve no doubt heard the phrase, “You are what you eat.” Well, it turns out that we are what we wear, as well! “Satan is constantly devising some new style of dress that shall prove an injury to physical and moral health” (4 Testimonies, page 634).
Most of us have an understanding about how important proper eating and drinking is for health; but how much do we know about dressing for health? Proper dress is actually an essential part of the health message.
“Perfect health depends upon perfect circulation” (2 Testimonies, page 531), and perfect circulation is dependent upon two things: 1) clothing must be evenly distributed; and 2) clothing must be loose fitting. Let’s explore these two points a little deeper.
1). Clothing should be evenly distributed - “Because optimal health requires a balanced circulation, special attention should be given to the extremities, that they may be as thoroughly clothed as the chest and the region over the heart.” Mary Ann McNielus, M.D., Temperance in Dress: A Reform Less Followed, page 33
When considering the apron style of dress that we looked at in Part 1, we saw that the limbs would not be equally covered, but rather unprotected. We are told that “Satan invented the fashions which leave the limbs exposed” (2 Testimonies, page 532). So, dressing in that manner is not only immodest, but unhealthful.
Most of us understand that we must fully cover up in cold weather in order to properly regulate our body temperature, using long sleeves, coats, boots, hats, scarves, and gloves (remember that exposed skin can become chilled in air conditioning, as well). But what about in hot weather? Is the answer just to wear less clothing? Not necessarily. The idea that the warmer it is the less we wear is not based on a correct understanding of physiology.
A light and even covering over the whole body is best even for hotter weather. Consequently, a knowledge of various fabrics and their effect on heat and cold can prove quite valuable. For instance, natural fibers such as linen and cotton tend to be more cooling on the skin in summer, while wool, silk, and cashmere are warming, and would generally be healthier choices in the winter time. Synthetic garments, such as polyester and rayon, are better options for layering rather than wearing directly against the skin. All of these principles should be considered for bedding, as well.
“Instead of struggling to meet the demands of fashion, have the courage to dress healthfully and simply” (The Ministry of Healing, page 294).
2) Clothing should not be overly-tight. Tight clothes change more than our appearance. They can actually alter the way the body functions. Constricting garments, whether pants, belts, shirt collars, bras, or undergarments can lead to respiratory impairment, chest pain, digestive issues, muscle pain, and even organ displacement. Clothes should be loose enough to allow for breathing freely and also for freedom of movement.
“For the life of the flesh is in the blood” (Leviticus 17:11). The blood does three things that are essential for good health. It carries oxygen, water and nutrients to the organs, tissues and cells; it carries metabolic waste away from the organs, tissues and cells; and it maintains proper body temperature. When the body is evenly covered with properly-fitting clothes, the blood is then free to do its part to preserve and promote good health.
What about shoes? It is estimated that, in an average lifetime, we use our feet to walk the equivalent of five times the circumference of the earth. Collected data suggests that 80% of men and women wear shoes that are too tight, which can lead to such problems as corns, bunions, hammertoes, callouses, ingrown toenails, and neuropathy. Footwear should be chosen which furnishes adequate toe, heel, and arch support, is adjustable to your foot size, and provides protection and comfort. We should discard shoes which have become so worn that they have lost some of these basic functions.
Flip-flops, sandals, and ballet flats can be problematic, as they are often too thin and too open. These types of footwear should be avoided for prolonged walking as they offer very little to no arch support, heel cushioning, or shock absorption.
High-heeled shoes, in particular, while popular and fashionable, can lead to a variety of foot and spine ailments, including improper body posture, back and hip problems, and toe damage, as well as increasing the danger of tripping and falling. High heels tilt the body forward, placing an extra strain upon the ligaments of the ankle. This unnatural position of the feet can negatively affect the health of the whole body.
“In all respects the dress should be healthful. ‘Above all things,’ God desires us to ‘be in health’—health of body and of soul. And we are to be workers together with Him for the health of both soul and body. Both are promoted by healthful dress” (Child Guidance, page 398).
GENDER DISTINCTION
“The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God” (Deuteronomy 22:5).
That’s some strong language. But, how do we apply it in our day?
“God designed there should be a plain distinction between male and female dress, and has considered the matter of sufficient importance to give explicit directions in regard to it; for the same dress worn by both sexes would cause confusion” (2 Selected Messages, pages 477, 478).
But few of us are blind to the confusion that is rampant in our current society when it comes to any distinctions between men and women. The Bible is clear that God created us in His image, male and female. But Satan says no; there is no distinction between male and female. The Bible is equally clear that God created men and women with distinct gender roles before sin and after sin. But Satan says no; there is no distinction here either.
However, the verse from Deuteronomy quoted above tells us specifically that, to the mind of God, there are clothes that pertain exclusively to a man, and there are clothes that pertain exclusively to a woman. Violating this principle in our dress can actually bring our defilement, and even God’s hatred against our clothing choices.
Many women in the Western world have been wearing traditionally-male garments for some time now. “There is an increasing tendency to have women in their dress and appearance as near like the other sex as possible, and to fashion their dress very much like that of men, but God pronounces it abomination” (1 Testimonies, page 457). That statement was written in 1867. And while women’s fashion has progressively become more masculine, men’s fashion has correspondingly become steadily more feminine, in styles, patterns, colors, designs, and cuts. Skinny jeans, skinny suits, and tight shirts rule the day, leaving very little to the imagination.
The fashion industry, emboldened by the media and the entertainment industry, has succeeded in conditioning men and women to not only wear less, but to choose unisex, or genderless, clothing, more and more. Over the years, notable male entertainers have made a career of dressing in women’s clothing as a way to get attention and cheap laughs, their example making feminine garments, make-up, and earrings commonplace for increasing numbers of men today. Indeed, men in our society have long been told to get in touch with a feminine side which they do not possess. Now, women are likewise being encouraged to embrace a masculine side which they do not naturally possess.
A genderless society is commonly known as an androgynous society. The term androgynous combines the two Greek words Andros (male) and gune (female), which describes an individual who integrates both male and female traits. As Christians, do we believe in the idea of an androgynous society? No. God created us male and female.
The driving force behind the unisex fashion is the feminist vision of a genderless society. Feminism is the advocacy of women's rights on the basis of the equality of the sexes. As Christians, do we believe in the equality of the sexes? Yes and no. God says we’re equal in value, equal in reflecting His image, but not equal in role. The fashions for both sexes becoming similar serves to further blur the traditional male and female roles in society. Because clothing contributes to our understanding of our gender roles.
A current online catalog lists certain women's clothing items as being “Menswear-Inspired” or “Borrowed-from-the-boys.” The world system has come out of the closet, so to speak, about their unisex agenda in the fashion world. They can proudly proclaim that their fashions for women are actually just slightly modified men's clothes. Even Christian women have been wearing men's fashions for several decades now, so why bother to keep the unisex agenda secret any longer? Just how close to the line of abomination do we want to be when it comes to dress, or any other heavenly principle?
And this attack on gender distinction has become decidedly mainstream. Here are some actual titles to articles that are currently posted on the internet regarding unisex fashion: “How to Be a Feminine Guy: 10 Steps (with Pictures)”; “Diet Plan to Help Men Look More Feminine”; “How Men Can be More Feminine: 20 Ways to Feel More Girly”; “Finding Masculine Clothes for a Female Body”; “How to wear a masculine-feminine style.”
“It is very evident that the Lord intended that His people should be distinguished from the world by their clothing. Women should not appear mannish in their wearing apparel or men effeminate. Many customs in modern dress are breaking down the distinguishing marks identifying the opposite sexes and are thus contributing to the modern laxity in moral standards.” Taylor Bunch, Exodus and Advent Movements in Type and Antitype
Honoring the principles of gender-distinct clothing involves putting careful thought into determining which types of clothing are historically distinct to each gender in our culture and then doing all we can to preserve that distinction. We should celebrate gender differences and teach our children to do the same, telling them, “God made you male or female, and designed you to reflect certain aspects of His image.” We bring glory to God when we purposefully maintain gender-distinguishing features in our clothing according to His word.
IN CONCLUSION
“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints” (Revelation 19:7, 8).
God has carefully selected the appropriate garments for his sons and daughters to wear. Those garments are fine, clean, and white. In a fallen world, our clothing has a purpose. Along with all of our other lifestyle choices, our wardrobe sends a clear message about who we are and Who we represent. Are we garbed in the righteousness of Christ, or in the filthy rags of the world?
Whether it be in the area of simplicity, modesty, health, or gender distinction, may we each endeavor daily to put on the principles of godly dress, as an expression of our Christianity, and to bring glory to the One who created us and redeemed us. The Bridegroom is coming for a bride clothed in pure and holy garments. Let the church be ready for that day, and even hasten it! (Matthew 25:6)
“I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see” (Revelation 3:18).
****
Richard Cecere and his lovely wife, Leslie, volunteer at Uchee Pines Institute in Seale, Alabama. He enjoys reading, teaching, and being married, not necessarily in that order.