Dressing up for church used to be an obligation but now it appears that nearly every church has its own set of standards and expectations when it comes to what to wear. The Bible, however, gives us some very clear guidance when it comes to how to dress while attending religious services. When deciding how to dress for church, it is important to honor God with our choices while also expressing our own style.
The Bible has a lot to say about how we should dress. According to the Bible, clothing should be “modest, sober and holy” (1 Timothy 2:9). This means that clothing should not be too flashy or too revealing. We should also dress in a way that shows respect for God and our fellow believers. We should avoid dressing in a way that could be considered provocative or distracting, such as wearing clothing that is too tight or has a low neckline.
Colossians 3:12-14 also talks about clothing in the Bible and encourages us to put on the full armor of God when we come to church: “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” This means that it is important to dress in a way that shows consideration for other churchgoers and is a reflection of our love for God.
In addition to dressing modestly and respectfully, dressing in a way that is appropriate to the season and the occasion is pertinent. For example, if one were to attend a Good Friday service, wearing somber colors and fabrics would be more reflective of the occasion. Conversely, if one were attending an Easter service, dark colors and fabrics would be less appropriate.
We also need to be mindful of our accessorizing. According to the Bible, jewelry should also be modest and appropriate. Wearing too much jewelry could be considered showy and could take away from our worship experience. So, when choosing accessories, simpler is generally better.
Finally, when deciding what to wear, knowledge and awareness should be our guide. The Bible is clear about what God wants us to wear to religious services, and taking the time to familiarize ourselves with these guidelines will help us to make the right decisions when we are dressing for church.
Hygiene
Hygiene is another vital point to consider when dressing for church. The Bible does not directly address this topic, but cleanliness is always important when attending religious services. Taking the extra time and effort to look clean and presentable can make a big difference in our worship experience. Tights and skirts should be clean and wrinkle-free, and shirts should be unwrinkled and pressed. Shoes should also be neat and polished, as these will be noticed when worshippers are sitting down.
In addition to clothing, we should take the time to groom ourselves in a way that shows respect for those around us. Hair should be clean and neatly styled. Makeup should not be overly done or too revealing. Men should take the time to shave so that they will look neat and presentable.
Posture
When attending church services, it is important to remember our posture as well. In the Bible, 1 Peter 3:3-4 talks about the importance of posture when praying: “Let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands.” This verse encourages us to maintain an upright posture, such as standing or sitting tall, when we are in church.
It is also important to remember that our posture can be an expression of our faith. When we slump in our chairs or slouch, this can often be seen as a lack of respect for the service and our fellow worshippers. We should strive to show respect to those around us by sitting or standing in a posture that reflects our love and submission to God.
Internal State of Being
In addition to external factors such as clothing and posture, the Bible also talks about how we should dress up our hearts and minds when attending religious services. In 1 Peter 5:5-6, we read “Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.” This verse encourages us to set our hearts and minds on the Lord before we enter into any kind of worshipful activity. When we come prepared mentally and spiritually, we can open ourselves up to a deeper and more meaningful experience.
In Matthew 6:33, Jesus also says “seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you”. This verse encourages us to set our minds on the Lord before we get ready for church. When we come with a spirit of reverence and faith, we can more easily connect with God and with our fellow worshippers.
Attitude and Image
Finally, when we are deciding how to dress for church, it is important to remember that our attitude and image should reflect our love for God. In Romans 12:1-2, we read “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” This encourages us to clothe ourselves in a way that shows our love and respect for God.
It is also important to remember that our actions reflect our clothing and our attitude. We should strive to behave in a way that is honourable and respectful. We should use our words carefully and ensure that our body language is considerate. All these things show our love and respect for God and for those around us.
Summary
When deciding how to dress for church, it is important to remember the principles from the Bible. We should aim to dress modestly and respectfully, in a way that is appropriate for the season and the occasion. We should also remember to accessorize in a way that is simple and appropriate. Hygiene is also important, and we should strive to groom ourselves in a way that is considerate of those around us. Finally, we should come to church with a humble and reverent spirit, and behave in a way that is honourable and respectful.
