WHY FASHION IS IMPORTANT TO THE MODEST CHRISTIAN & FINDING BALANCE

Fashion is important to the modest Christian.  The question is, How do we stay fashionable and modest without letting the fashion industry lead us down into the mire?  How do we stay balanced?

FINDING A TRUE BALANCE, NOT A FALSE ONE

Proverbs 11:1, “A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.”

If there is one thing I know to be true, it is that God is a God of balance.  Some people say that no musical instruments are good because they appeal to the flesh and some people say that all music is good because God created it.  Some people say that you must never watch a TV show or movie because it all comes from Hollywood and others say that “they don’t feel convicted” and watch anything regardless of Scriptural principles.  Some say that we should preach God’s love and not sin and hell, but Christ preached both.  Some people say that the only true modest clothing is plain and with very little shape because it does not draw attention to anything at all and others have the philosophy that it doesn’t matter how tight it is as long as no skin is showing.   While biblical balance is found within the bounds of scripture and never includes sin, balance is not easily achieved. 

Speaking of Christ,

Philippians 2:7, 8 says: “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” 

Now, I know that this is not talking about fashion as we would think about it, but Christ fashioned himself in our likeness to be relatable and realistic and still was obedient and holy regardless of the cost.  Separation and not conforming to the world means to be holy, it does not mean to make yourself a spectacle in your plainness.  Modesty itself will separate you, and I have seen over and over that being entirely out of style is an imbalance that becomes a hindrance to the gospel.  God is balanced.

That being said, it is much easier to give in to either side of the extreme, sighing in desperation, “I don’t care anyway.”  But I cheer you on, “Don’t give up, there is hope.  You MUST make the effort, even if it is hard.  We are an example of Christ to the world.  God ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS provides a way.” 

HAS THE SALT LOST ITS SAVOUR?

Matthew 5:13-16 “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.   Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.   Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

On one side of the extreme (I think in their zealous desire to please God) some people reject fashion entirely thinking that the inward man is the only thing that matters in relation to the gospel when someone is seeking the truth.  I agree to disagree. On the other side of the extreme and in many churches today people say it doesn’t matter if you are immodest (or reject that the Bible has specific ideas of modesty) so long as you are a Christian and are witnessing.  It is hard to find that middle ground. 

It takes more effort to look moderately fashionable and modest, and whether YOU care or not what you look like, others do. I say moderately fashionable because some people take even modest fashion to the extreme, and become prideful in their “costly array” that they many times can not afford.  We are not to love the world or the things of the world.  We need to remember that we are in the world, not of the world.  With that in mind, if you can afford “costly array,” then just make sure that you put Christ first and put your clothing in its appropriate place in life, so that you are known more for your meek and quiet spirit then for your fashion. 

 Allen and Shirla Jones with The Family Institute are a greater encouragement to Christians.  In the book “The Virtuous Woman” by Shirla Jones she says,

“I believe the outward appearance reflects your inward attitude toward the position and service God has given you.

Only God can look in our hearts.  People are impressed with our outward appearance.”

“The virtuous woman not only was concerned for their needs,

[meaning their children] but was also concerned about their appearance.  There is nothing wrong with garage sale or Goodwill clothes when they are clean, pressed and repaired.  But, I have seen Christian mothers who think there is virtue in having their little girls dressed dowdy in long or very plain dresses.  Others keep their children in the garage sale look of odd sizes and mismatched pieces, apparently rescued from the rag bag and unrepaired.  I don’t believe they themselves would go out of the house looking so neglected!

What kind of self image will this develop in the child?  What do lost people think of our God when our children appear as little beggars?  The virtuous woman clothed her family in royal apparel!  Through her diligent labor, she clothed her family properly.

There are ways to clothe a family properly and stay within a budget.”

“Again, I must remind you, the goal is not to spend an excessive amount on clothes.  The goal is to look your best within your budget.”

I hold that holiness and an up to date wardrobe do more for the cause of Christ than holiness and an out of date wardrobe.  In Michael Pearl’s book, “Jumping Ship” he points out that one of the main reasons that kids raised in Bible believing, non-public school going homes jump out into the world as soon as they can is because many times Christian homes are unattractive; This means their dowdy appearance, contentious marriages, absence of laughter, fun, and joy in the home, and lacking the availability for a good mix of Christian friends.  God’s way is always the best way. 

PLEASE UNDERSTAND, I’m NOT saying that if you are modest but not fashionable that you are wrong, I just believe that the extra effort to be modest AND fashionable could make a difference in your soul winning, testimony, and ministry efforts.  God’s way is always balanced, and his way causes us to be salt to the earth.  Salt makes us thirsty AND salt in a wound makes it sting and be cleansed. 

Holiness and modesty are convicting and stinging to those who are dressing immodestly, but seeing Christians well put together and fashionable makes people thirsty for right and gives them hope that there actually is a BETTER way not just a DIFFERENT way.

For some ideas of Modestly Fashionable outfits, there are a ton by Polyvore found on Pinterest.