There’s a growing tendency among God’s people to “dress down” when coming to the assembly to worship God, rather than to “dress up.” It seems some give no regard to what their clothing says about their heart. When folks start “dressing down” — it has a direct influence on others, making it much easier to conform to what others are wearing than to resist.
Several years ago, I had a conversation with a brother who continually arrived for worship services in street clothes. I ask him why he didn’t wear his suit (I know from experience he possessed one). His response was quit revealing. He said, “God doesn’t care what I wear, He is interested in my heart.”
Brethren, we worship an awesome Creator and King (cf. Revelation 4:1-11; Revelation 5:1-14), and our dress certainly does say something about our attitude of heart toward our Creator — whether we are conscious of it or not.
In Proverbs 7:10, Solomon clearly ascribes a harlot with a certain kind of “attire” that identified her with the licentious intent and behavior of her heart. What garment she wore or exactly how she arranged herself with that attire is not known, but her outward appearance indicated what she was and what she obviously wanted.
We recall the story of Tamar, as she put off her garments of “widowhood” and deceived Judah by attiring herself as a harlot, covering her face (Genesis 38:12-26). He went to her thinking she was a harlot, because of the way she was dressed.
We also see a word picture of the harlot described in Revelation 17:4, as one who “was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication.”
Her dress was descriptive of the abominations of her heart. All such attire is totally opposite from the sober and modest dress of the godly woman (1 Timothy 2:9-10; 1 Peter 3:1-4). Our dress does speak volumes regarding the inward man.
The Bible does not set a “dress code” per se. However, just as giving to God of our prosperity must come from our heart, and is an indication of our love for God and brethren (1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 8:8; 2 Corinthians 8:12; 2 Corinthians 8:24; 2 Corinthians 9:7), our outward attire should reflect a loving and respectful inward attitude of heart as we worship our Heavenly Father.
While our worship to God should not be stilted and ritualistic, neither should it be as casual as an outing at the park. When we assemble for worship, our attire should be more like that worn to a wedding (Matthew 22:11-13), rather than casual attire worn to a sports event. Our dress should reflect that of an individual visiting the President of the United States, rather than a trip to the shopping mall.
Brethren, our dress does reflect the inward attitude of our heart. Let’s dress appropriately as we come into the presence of our awesome Creator and Heavenly Father to worship Him! (1 Chronicles 16:29; Psalm 29:2; Psalm 96:9).