Modesty in the church is a contentious issue. Some denominations go as far as to prescribe specific attire, especially for the leadership and choir. Others deem it a complete non-issue, refusing to say anything about appropriate clothing in church. Then, there’s everything in between. But how should we think about this? Is the solution a dress-code? As my title suggests, below I argue that the matter of modesty requires a better theology of the body.
God has much to say about our freedom, especially how exercising it affects our neighbours.
Crucially, the Christian life doesn’t carry the burden of ‘what to do or not do.’ In going to the cross Jesus died to give us freedom. That’s why Paul could write: “All things are lawful for me but not everything is beneficial” (1 Corinthians 6:12). In a way, we’re free do whatever we want; whatever our redeemed hearts desire. Now, this freedom isn’t for sin, as Paul puts it elsewhere (Romans 6:1, 15). But there is a host of matters that the Bible doesn’t explicitly deem right or wrong. In those we’re free. However, God has much to say about our attitude towards this freedom, especially how exercising it affects our neighbours.
There is no biblical definition of modesty or suitable attire. Only this doesn’t mean we’re free to wear whatever we want. And I want to explore that under the four headings below:
1. Your Body Doesn’t Belong to You
Our existence in this world isn’t random. It’s not by chance. As we read in Genesis, God created us. “Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature” (Genesis 2:7). “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27). This is not inconsequential for how we think about what we wear. In fact, after Adam and Eve sinned it was God who came to cover their shame (Genesis 3:21). A wonder, isn’t it?
We must be aware that the owner of bodies is the God who made them.
Without going into detail, the creation account is a reminder that our bodies belong to God. He made them. So what we put on shouldn’t simply be driven by the latest trends. Nor is it about our mere desires and wants. Instead we must be aware that the owner of bodies is the God who made them. And we’ll answer to him for what we’ve done with them.
2. God Bought You at a High Price
In addition to the previous point, the believer understands that God bought them at a price, the Son (1 Corinthians 6:20). Paul continues to say, therefore, we must glorify him with our bodies. They’re precious to God. He doesn’t merely work to save our souls, but all of us. That includes our bodies, bought at an infinite and incomprehensible cost to God. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Something valuable shouldn’t be readily available to anyone.
In the same way we keep our treasures in the vault or safe—and our money in a bank—we should prize and protect our bodies. How long or short your clothes are is up to you. The only appropriate unit for measuring this is what it cost God to purchase your body. Something valuable shouldn’t be readily available to anyone.
3. Your Body Is a Temple of the Lord
Building on both of my previous points, God chooses to live in our bodies as a way to show how much he loves us. So Paul writes, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own” (1 Corinthians 6:19). Here he asks a rhetorical question, reminding us of what we should have known since the day that we accepted Jesus us our Lord and Saviour. He dwells in us by his Spirit. Our bodies are a temple to the Lord.
What we choose to wear is a choice concerning how we adorn the temple of God.
In some senses then, as believers, what we choose to wear is a choice concerning how we adorn the temple of God. Such a thought is remarkable; and possibly also convicting, when we consider God’s exhortation against grieving the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). Again, how and where you draw the lines is up to you. That we need to draw them is clear. Because we are living temples of the Almighty, we cannot be indifferent to our attire.
4. So Glorify God With Your Body
“Everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever” (Romans 11:36). In this verse, we encounter the ultimate reason for which we were made and saved: to glorify God. Glorifying God goes well beyond what we say, how much money we give, and the ways we serve. It includes everything. All of life. Therefore we must apply our renewed minds to “discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). And that cannot exclude what we wear.
With each sunrise, Christians are invited to show the world the satisfying light of Jesus Christ.
With each sunrise, Christians are invited to show the world the satisfying light and love of Jesus Christ. “So, whether you eat or drink,” and whatever you wear, “or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
It’s Not Simply About What to Wear
Before we choose what to wear, we should ask if this will glorify our God. Modesty is a profound way to demonstrate Christ’s lordship in our lives; and to practice love towards others. For it’s one of the ways that Christians can clearly be set apart and different. In conclusion, the appropriate way to dress depends on understanding that our bodies belong to God; that he bought them at great cost to himself, making them temples of the Spirit; and everything we do in this life can redound or detract from God’s glory. Keep that in mind.
