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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
The question about whether Christian women should wear pants or slacks is an issue that is raised about externals when the life of the child of God should rather be about a spiritual relationship b...
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Gregory Tomlinson
Supporter
Clothing has changed with customs, robes were worn by both male and female and color and design separated the two to be gender specific. The old testament law defines sin for the world, and since the coming of our Savior we have learned several important things. First we are saved by grace/faith not works of the law and are set free from the bondage of condemnation of the law. The rest of the world will be judged by the law on judgment day. Jesus said sin starts in the heart (motive)and what sin would be defined by deceptive apparel. Today we call it gender bending: an intentional act of deception about a persons gender. Sin is defined as an intentional act, to know to do good and not to do it. Modesty is the main concern of the new testament as stated quite well by others in this conversation. No matter what you put on it should be done thoughtfully and considerately. Why are you putting it on should be something in your mind as you choose your apparel and accessories. If you put on something to give yourself sex appeal, reconsider it as you may be placing a stumbling block in front of another. Do you adorn yourself to boast your prosperity, reconsider it as it may shame someone less fortunate that is just as precious in Gods eyes, shaming the poor is a new testament concern. Spirituality can not be measured by prosperity. Generosity and consideration are the ear mark of a borned again believer. So how to apply this new freedom from the law? Does your attire/appearance tell people something about you? I believe it does but it is your actions, reactions, attitudes, and consideration of others that sets you apart from a greedy, selfish, hateful and vindictive world. I saw an over zealous brother rebuke his son for wearing his girl friends watch, which was exchanged as a sign of commitment, she got a necklace he got a watch. He quoted Deuteronomy and called him a cross dressing sissy, I pulled him aside "alone" and corrected him, as this sin being a willful act of deception and his son was not intentionally trying to deceive anyone about his gender, and embarrassment is not an effective tool but rather provokes unwanted responses. He did not understand and dogmatically stated his son intentionally sinned. His son stopped going to church with them and is still not going some ten years later. Can you see the problem in this illustration? The law kills, the spirit gives life. Be led by the spirit and you will not allow carnality to reign in your life. I prefer dresses on my wife but they are not always appropriate, and above all I want her to be comfortable and not feel as though she is in bondage, but free to worship God as her self. Any type of fast you put upon yourself to get closer, will be honored by God, whether it your hair, dress, or abstention of something it is your attitude of willingness to please Him that will get you noticed by Him and that my friend is where it is at. It is one thing to know Him but to be acknowledged by Him is an awesome faith builder.
Opubo Atiegoba
Supporter
When it comes to Christian dressing, the watchword (as discussed already) is modesty. But modesty here, doesn't mean what only you think is modest, but what others also think is modest. The bible tells us to esteem others better than ourselves, in lowliness (Phil 2:3), we should be ready to always see reason with others and listen to them - as long as what is advised is not against the ultimate word of God. So if others think a certain clothing is wrong (as far as God did not instruct you to wear that certain clothing), don't wear it, if it will cause others to sin, even if you don't see that reason now. Paul himself said "if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh..." 1 cor 8:13. Now meat is good, but if it will cause someone else to stumble, then put it away. That includes clothes you think are modest, but to others might not be.
UDUAK Udom
Supporter
Deuteronomy 22:5 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 22:9 Thou shalt not sow thy vineyard with divers seeds:lest the fruit of thy seed which thou hast sown, and the fruit of thy vineyard, be defiled. Deuteronomy 22:11-12 Thou shalt not wear a garment of divers sorts, as of woollen and linen together. Thou shalt make thee fringes upon the four quarters of thy vesture, wherewith thou coverest thyself. Psalms 133:2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard:that went down to the skirts of his garments; If we would keep the law as given in Deuteronomy 22:5, how about verses 9, 11-12? How many Christians who have gardens plant only one item in the garden and don't plant 'diverse seeds' according to the verse above? Or, buy only clothing that are 100% cotton, rayon, etc and not mixed? Or make sure all our apparel come with fringes? Aaron, like other men of his time, wore garments that had SKIRTS. There were no mention of pants then, except underpants or 'breeches' for the priests so that their nakedness be not exposed if they happened to be on a higher plane. I guess that's why Noah's nakedness was exposed - he didn't have pants on! I believe that wearing of men's and women's apparel by the opposite sex in Deuteronomy has a spiritual meaning, something to do with women being 'masculine' in character, and men being 'effeminate' as mentioned in 1 Corin 6:9. Similarly, planting a garden with diverse seeds refers to mixtures in the gathering of believers. Acts 5:13-14 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them:but the people magnified them. And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) It's easy for 'other men' to join us these days because we are no longer separated from the world and its ways. Again, a mixture of clothing material refers to living a mixed life - not completely separated unto The Lord. All the same, whether in pants or skirts or dresses, MODESTY is the watchword in dressing for believers - male and female.
REBEKAH bello
Supporter
If you have the Holy Spirit in you, He will correct you. Different apparels fit different occasions. Motivation counts. Only God knows the intent of a man's heart. Modesty is a prerequisite. If you feel that what you are wearing is decent and honors God, then wear it Otherwise your conscience will convict and move you. Remember, not all dresses cover and not all pants cover. But wear decent covering. Whether you wear a dress or pants, do not appear before God looking like a jezebel. Glorify God with your appearance. You are not dressing to please man but to please God first. Bottom line, ask the Holy Spirit to correct you and awaken your conscience. Let your apparel be pleasing before God. Be modest and honor God with your appearance and apparel.
John Kennon
Supporter
In order to truly answer this question we have to look at a timeless principal of the separation of dress between a man and a woman. Deu 22:5 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. This principal of the separation of clothing is very important to God. This issue is meant to distinguish a man from a woman in such a clear fashion statement that there is no doubt as to the gender of the person. Some have excused themselves from these types of teachings saying that we are no longer under the law but under grace. Which is a very dangerous and slippery slope to try and stand on theologically. Rom 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the Paul clearly defines that we are not under the law as it pertains to working for salvation. Rather we are under grace that produces salvation in us. Thus the Holy Spirit will produce the fruits of the law within our hearts. So in conclusion the matter of dress's vs. Pants is simple. Just so there is no confusion or misunderstanding we practice a woman wears dresses and a man wears pants. For this we believe is pleasing to God. Is it a matter of salvation? Not really but neither do I demand my wife show me that she loves me. She shows me she loves my because she is in a covenant with me. Likewise I do for her things that are not required as a fulfillment of my marriage vows but rather because I want to please her and make her want to have more of a relationship with me. When we do things out of love and desire to live for God then the residual effect is more of God. There is nothing more rewarding than consecration to God. He rewards us with Himself.
Glenn Harrell
Supporter
Yes. Especially if she plans to go outdoors. Seriously, it does seem that our young women have few role models for modesty these days. There is more concern and consternation over who will wash those pants than what they might reveal when worn. Mothers, grandmothers and dads--teach your young ladies how to listen to God. He will place his guiding Spirit within their hearts to let them know when their dress code is out of character with one belonging to Christ. If their sphere of influence is 90% the latest female pop-idol and 10% truth, faith and reality, then you must love and pray a lot. You must be a part of turning that percentage up-side-down. Most of what we face today is society and culture driven. Parents and youth often make decisions based upon peer acceptance and then weigh those decisions against what they know inside to be right. A balance can be had; not through police action and legalism, but by example and firm standards that are well promoted and established as rightness. There is nothing in the New Testament that speaks to a matter of pants, dress, robe, etc. But there is plenty to remind women and men alike to live and dress in a manner that does not cause others to stumble. (I Samuel 16:7) The context is not about modesty but it does speak to a wonderful spiritual principal. God cares about what resides in our hearts before what we wear on our bodies. But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." Men and women who understand this will know what it means to have the Lord as their fashion designer. "Tell the older women to behave as those who love the Lord should...each of the younger women must be sensible and kind...tell the older men to have self-control and to be serious and sensible...tell the young men to have self-control in everything." (Titus 2:1-8) By the way. I am on a crusade to touch this issue at the ground level. The next time you compliment a child or adult on their appearance, I suggest; "You make that dress look beautiful"--instead of "isn't that a beautiful dress." In this way we are agreeing with God that who we are on the inside matters most and this Christ-like inner person will ultimately be the finest governor of our choices in apparel. Anyone who intimately knows that they are loved by God just as they are will be much less likely to try and become "somebody" through the use of fabric, make-up and material possessions. One thing is for certain--the law is powerless here. The inner Spirit of God is the only reliable resource for how we will choose to dress at home and out in the world. "Let the Lord Jesus Christ be as near to you as the clothes you wear. Then you won't try to satisfy your selfish desires." (Romans 13:14) In fact, back up and get a running start into verse 14. Start at verse 11. "You know what sort of times we live in, so you should live properly"... keep reading. It's wonderful. Now there's a workable solution to modesty and improper dress that you won't likely find in Cosmopolitan or Allure magazines. In a real way, I think Jesus speaks to this issue of pants for women. (Matthew 15:1-20) I imagine the modern day Pharisees loving this one. They might ask Jesus, "Why don't your disciples dress like we do?" Jesus might respond, "The clothes that you put on your body don't make you improper and unfit to worship God. The bad words that come out of your mouth are what make you unacceptable." Jesus has a way of keeping the real issue up front and the fuss-about-nothin' way back in the "no spin zone". Remember, a man may wear the pants in a relationship but the woman will likely tell him which pair to put on. GWH
David Sutton
Supporter
This is the easiest question to answer . Put a mirrow up in your house, full size then after your dressed look in that mirrow, is it modest, are the parts of your body that no other Christian wants to see covered . Does it fit your body? If you can answer yes after looking at your self . Then your ready for the day, and The Lord will like it and fellow Christians will to. The bible does no specify what kind of clothes we were, it's says modest . Which means not vain or boastful, decent, shy or reserved,and unpretentious. Don't say a word about pants, shorts, dresses, just remember look in that mirrow . It it looks wrong it is wrong . I'm am sure Mary never went around with half her top side or bottom side hanging out. And we don't join churches, nor are we members of churches. We are added to the lords church just like the three thousand or so described in acts 2 . If your waiting for some one to join or add you or except you as a member of a church, and it ain't Jesus Christ your in the wrong place.
Joe Colling
Supporter
We are not under the dispensation of the law, we are under the grace of the new covenant. So a person, no matter what sex they are, should wear what the holy spirit tells them to wear. If you’re born again in your spirit, then your entire attitude will be governed by the spirit. That includes daily apparel. I'm comfortable in shorts all year around. Praise God! :^)
Brydon Nelson
Supporter
I used to belong to a church and the organization requested women to not wear pants. They viewed it as not respectable, or ladylike. Although if a woman did wear them they did not shun them. we are supposed to be set apart and how we dress is a part of that including men. But wearing pants shouldn't be the focus but focusing on Jesus. If that is an issue, those individuals should look at themselves and question what's important.
Johnnatta Giles
Supporter
We can wear whatever we want. Just watch what you do show. I mean dont even have to get scriptural about this. At one point in time everyone was wearing a type of robe. That includes a man. They looked like dresses. I grew up in a church that would get so mad if i came in pants. I didnt care because I hated dresses. Not once in my life has God ever told me wear a skirt you are dishonoring me. There was however a point in time where i dressed wrongly as a teen. I felt very convicted and began to cover up more in the areas I was not to be showing. Private places that only your husband should even be seeing or yourself. Its really pretty simple.
Buffy Hamilton
Supporter
You don't have to deeply study the Bible to know how to dress. "Common Sense" will let you know. Christian women shouldn't be "flashing" others in church, constantly showing cleavage to men. Also don't wear such short skirts and show your bottom area either. "Common Sense", dressing modestly means to be covered and not showing parts of your body that only your husband should see, to other men and causing lustfulness.
Donald Woody
Supporter
There are several reasons why this scripture has been misinterpreted/misunderstood in its application and also why it's most popular meaning is in error and not relevant to Christians today. 1. Under Christ the clothes we wear has very little impact on our relationship and walk with God excepting of course how we wear them and most importantly the motives for why we wear them. 2. This scripture is a regulation of Judaic law which is not binding on Christians who are bound to faith and grace in Christ not the law. 3. This law (like all of the laws) were civil and cultural laws imposed on the Old Testament followers under the Mosiac covenant and therefore is inefficient in holding up to the effectiveness of Christ's truth and grace which is the "better way". Christ fulfilled all the legalistic requirements of the law and instituted grace to cover us and instill moral conscienceness to resist sin. This particular law does not address an issue of women wearing men's clothes and vice versa. It was instituted to address God's attitude toward cross dressing and gender/ sexual immorality. This is the abomination the law addresses. Men were created to be men and women to be women. A man wearing women's clothes does not make him a women and a women wearing pants does not make her a man or give her justification to do things that pertains to men (most importantly - wearing clothes of the opposite sex to do sexually perverse things). Culturally pants is a unisex garment that is worn by both men and women and actually were fabricated much late than the apparel worn by the audience of Deuteronomy 22:5. Test your motives for why you are wearing pants -- if it is for gender confusion and sexual immorality you are sinning against God and the Holy Spirit under grace will prick your heart and let you know. There is no place in all of scripture where God tells women not to wear pants. At the time of its writing no one wore pants. Pants are a very recent designed garment that were created for both men and women. Not wearing pants to show how "Godly" you want other to see you as is just as bad as the real reason behind Dt. 22:5.
Kim Davenport
Supporter
The adoption of pants by women was brought about by the early women’s rights advocates, women wanting to eliminate or obscure all God ordained differences between the sexes. It was these same women who advocated sexual freedom for women (aided by both birth control and abortion), and tried to encourage women to forsake their traditional roles of wives and mothers. Though women today wear pants almost as much as men, still our culture views pants as men’s clothing. Look at the restroom signs. Consider expressions we still use, like, "Who wears the pants in the family?" By this we mean who is the true leader of the family (the role God ordained for the husband, but often usurped by the wife)."
Daniel Veler
Supporter
When I was young, I learned every generation has a set of standards that they judge others by. I looked back through the generations and saw each generation define "modest apparel" of their day. If you look back in the 1800’s, women wore dresses that covered their ankles. If you take women in the 1950’s and put them in the 1800’s, society would condemn them. Every generation has their own standards. Men judge based on what they see and this is the judgment of men. But God judges a person’s heart. If you are going to judge someone, let it be a righteous judgment. Look into a person’s heart. I also attended a church that condemned certain clothing, like shorts, short dresses, and so on. Then on the weekends I would see them wearing shorts. Their reasoning was that it’s ok, just as long you’re not in God’s house. They haven’t understood the church is not a building, but it is your body that is a temple unto the Lord. Just a few thoughts that might help you to understand why things change down through the years.
Clayton Guice
Supporter
Deuteronomy 22:5,Speaks much about today,A man should not take the place of a woman,in a sex act,And the woman should not take place of the man in a sex act,It is an abomination to God. Whats worn doesnt matter,The men wore long gowns back than,like some women wear pants today.
Kenneth Heck
Supporter
There is a distinction between man and woman, on one hand, and male and female on the other hand, in the Bible. After the Fall, woman was confined to childbearing in spiritual significance and continued that way for a long time until religions such as Judaism and Christianity elevated womanhood up closer to the man's level. Real men were always completely dominant, but it didn't apply to males such as slaves. It can be understood today that just because a person is female doesn't mean she must be legitimately constrained to be nothing more than a childbearer, mother and wife. She is now able to participate in many formerly all-male activities. The conclusion is that a female should wear the clothing or uniform appropriate for whatever activity she is engaged in - if it is also a male activity then the clothing would be the same as for a male. A female is not permitted to obscure or hide her role as a woman with inappropriate clothing, especially with anything pertaining to a man's function. Clothing is intended to correctly identify the social function of the person wearing it, besides satisfying the obvious needs for modesty and protection from the elements. It all boils down to not wearing anything inappropriate for your position and function in society. Even in secular society, we all know that it is illegal to wear a police or military uniform if you are not in either service. Some have said that Christ fulfilled all of the law so it doesn't matter what we wear. If so, there would be no need for the 10 Commandments, Judaism would be a dead and defunct religion, and those practicing it would be under the cruel deception of Satan. But the Jews were given an everlasting covenant through Moses, even though some aspects such as animal sacrifice are no longer practiced. Christ only came for those that needed a physician, and for the lost sheep of the House of Israel, not for every member of Judaism, rich or poor. No, all the Jewish laws haven't been fulfilled - they won't be until the Second Coming of Christ when he as a lawgiver gives us new commandments, which will also probably build on and extend the original 10 Commandments.
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