WHY DOES IT MATTER?

The number one reason our clothing style matters is this: Clothing is communication. You speak words with your clothing, even if you don’t speak words with your mouth.

And not only does our clothing speak words, it also speaks about our identity. Who we are as a person.

There is a reason why people today are very self conscious of their image and the clothes they wear.

This is because the way we look is our first impression. Before anyone knows who we are, we speak about who we are through our clothing. It becomes a part of our identity, an illustration of who we are and what we are about.

For instance:

For example: can you tell by this man’s clothing what his occupation is? What his identity is?

Of course, he is a judge. He’s got the gavel in his hand and the courtroom robe there, right? He’s communicating to you – “I’m a man of authority in a courtroom, and I’ve got this garb on, and I’m to be honored and respected.” People refer to this man as: “your honor,” in a courtroom.

How about these men?

Military comes to mind. Soldiers. We think of bravery. Men who are “proud to be Americans.”

How about these men?

Most of us will immediately think “bikers, tough guys, maybe rebels.”

Humility does not come to mind here. Kindness and gentleness and love do not come to mind. Maybe he’s a nice person, and might even be a believer but his image does not speak to us that he seeks to bear the fruits of Yahweh’s Spirit.

So clothing is communication.

We don’t need to even speak a word, and our clothing speaks for us.

And our clothing communicates things about our identity. Where we have placed our hope. Maybe where we placed our emphasis in life. The rebellious youth of each generation chooses different clothing than the one before.

It is usually increasingly immodest and I don’t need to show you that. But they are communicating. They are in rebellion against former generations and want to do something different to communicate, “oh, the former generation – they are out of touch; they’re not with it.”

Years ago there was the “Gothic” appearance that was popular. Now, it’s the saggy pants. It’s audibly silent but it speaks loudly of where our values are. And as long as the eyes of others are upon us, it never stopped speaking its message. In fact, it sets the context of everything we say.

Suppose some 50-year-old man was to walk up to a podium at an indoor gathering of believers, and he had on a pair of sunglasses, a bandana, and saggy pants with half his underwear showing. Nobody is going to take him seriously. Because his clothes indicate where his mindset is, and probably everyone would start laughing at him.

And so, an important question for all of us is, what are we saying to others by what we wear? What are we saying? What kind of identity are we portraying?

The clothing we wear really does matter. Consider what Yahweh said about these women and how their adornment reflected their attitudes of the heart:

Notice that even one’s gate and “wanton eyes” can communicate haughtiness. But look at how these women, in their pride and haughtiness, decked themselves:

Yahweh did not like their haughtiness and arrogance. What they were communicating by the kinds of clothes they wore was pride.

Humility must be our clothing. We did not create ourselves, and we should be glorifying Yahweh rather than ourselves if we happen to have a pleasant appearance.

If we could really understand how Yahweh sees things. To Him, holiness is beautiful. Uprightness is lovely, and humility and the fear of Elohim are praiseworthy:

So we need to seek out Yahweh’s heart in these matters. And we want Yahweh’s message to come through in what we wear, the kinds of clothing choices that we make.

In our present age, we have innumerable clothing choices.. more so than at any time in the history of man. There are more varieties of cuts and styles and colors of clothing on the planet right now than there ever has been.

And because of modern machinery, most of it is very affordable compared to how things were a couple hundred years ago.. or even in biblical times.

And so with our clothing choices it seems to me that we ought to avoid the things that communicate the wrong message. Words are powerful, communication overall is powerful.

So what kind of spirit are we reflecting in our words, whether it be the words coming from our mouth, or the words we are speaking through the kinds of clothes that we wear.

The unique thing about clothing is that you can walk into a room, say nothing at all, and immediately start communicating with the people in the room.

You don’t need to say a word because your clothing choices will do it for you.

I’m saying these things because I you to understand that it really does matter what we wear. Some think it doesn’t really matter what you wear as long as you happen to like it.

That’s not true. We first need to consider whether or not it communicates the right message. Does it communicate carnality or glorification of self?

Self is supposed to be dead, right? It’s not to be on carnal and earthly things.

Our King is Yahushua and our kingdom is not of this world. The riches that we seek are not this worlds riches. It’s not the fading treasures of this age, it’s the heavenly things. So does our clothing communicate that we love and enjoy the things of this world?

Or does our clothing communicate, our kingdom is not of this world? You can tell a lot by what we wear. Scripture says:

And so, are we, through the things that we wear, sharing a message of conformity to the world? Or are we communicating a marked stand against conformity? Are we turning the world upside down with the message of the good news, or have we been turned upside down by the world? Our clothing is expressing our attitude, and the spirit that we are walking in.

Dress, then, is a form of communication. Have you ever heard the expression, “Body language?” There are even several different ways of saying “what?”

What? (surprised). What? (I’m not guilty), What? (skeptical). What? (neutral).

So please understand, our communication is powerful, and it is important that what we wear communicates the right message, and this is at the heart of modesty:

This “reverence toward Elohim” is translated “godliness” in the NKJV, but the Greek word is a compound word, combining the Greek word for Elohim and the Greek word for reverence.

What Paul is saying here is that a woman’s clothing must match what is proper for a woman professing reverence toward Elohim, with good works. If you profess that you reverence Elohim, then your clothing choices should match that very thing that you are professing.

Now some have claimed that the context of Paul’s comments are only in relation to public worship assemblies. But that idea is easily refuted. Look at what verse 8 says “in like manner also.” That is, “in like manner” to what the men are told to do. And what men are told to do is “pray everywhere.” So the context actually indicates the very opposite of what some have said. It’s not just the worship assembly, but “everywhere” and “without wrath and doubting.”

So a woman’s clothing, if it really is “in like manner” to what was said in verse 8, should be what she wears “everywhere,” not just in a public worship assembly.

Another attribute of “lifting up holy hands everywhere” in relation to women’s clothing is to NOT BE ASHAMED.

To be willing to lift up your holy hands everywhere requires a sense of boldness. Without wrath and doubting. The context of this prayer is praying for kings and all who are in authority.

In other words, rather than getting angry at what those in authority over you are doing, pray for them.

Then He says, ‘in like manner also’

So “everywhere” and “without wrath and doubting” women ought to adorn themselves in modest apparel. The word translated “modest” is:

Another lexicon:

887 κόσμιος kosmios {kos’-mee-os}
Meaning: 1) well arranged, seemly, modest
Origin: from 2889 (in its primary sense); TDNT – 3:895,459; adj
Usage: AV – modest 1, of good behaviour 1; 2

Thayer’s Lexicon

This word is also used here:

“Of good behavior” it’s translated. See, elders must also be modest.

But notice:

“well arranged” or “seemly”

In other words, a woman’s clothing should be well arranged, well ordered, and with propriety and moderation.

The word translated “propriety” is from the Greek word “aidos”

127 αἰδώς aidos {ahee-doce’}
Meaning: 1) a sense of shame or honour, modesty, bashfulness, reverence, regard for others, respect
Origin: perhaps from 1 (as a negative particle) and 1492 (through the idea of downcast eyes); TDNT – 1:169,26; n f
Usage: AV – shamefacedness 1, reverence 1; 2

Thayer’s Lexicon

It’s the negative particle added to the Greek word for “to know.” To not know. It comes from 1492:r

1492 εἰδῶ eido {i-do’} or οἴδα oida {oy’-da}
Meaning: 1) to see 1a) to perceive with the eyes 1b) to perceive by any of the senses 1c) to perceive, notice, discern, discover 1d) to see 1d1) i.e. to turn the eyes, the mind, the attention to anything…

Thayer’s Lexicon

So a woman’s clothing should reflect a sense of mysteriousness, those who see her will not “know her” in an intimate sense by what she wears. She is well covered. This word is often used to describe what happens when a man and woman get married. So and so “knew his wife.”

So it may have to do with her nakedness or her shame not being on display for all to see. There is a sense of humility here…

And her humility has nothing to do with being ashamed of who she is in Messiah. It has to do with covering herself properly, and not flaunting herself openly.

The Danker Lexicon has:

Danker, Greek NT Lexicon (DAN)

[DANK] αἰδώς
αἰδώς, οῦς, ἡ [Skt. assoc. in sense of ‘reverence’] ‘quality of pleasing unobtrusiveness’, respectful shyness, reserve, reticence 1 Ti 2:9; as synonym for εὐλάβεια: reverence Hb 12:28 v.l.

Someone who is reflecting a sense of shyness and reserve, or reticence is not going to be flaunting themselves with elaborance, but with the clothing reflect the humble attitude that all believers are supposed to have.

The Greek word for “moderation”

4997 σωφροσύνη sophrosune {so-fros-oo’-nay}
Meaning: 1) soundness of mind 2) self-control, sobriety
Origin: from 4998; TDNT – 7:1097,1150; n f
Usage: AV – sobriety 2, soberness 1; 3

Thayer’s Lexicon

It’s also found in these 2 verses:

The opposite of being out of control and crazy. It’s from

4997 σωφροσύνη sophrosune {so-fros-oo’-nay}
Meaning: 1) soundness of mind 2) self-control, sobriety
Origin: from 4998; TDNT – 7:1097,1150; n f
Usage: AV – sobriety 2, soberness 1; 3

4998 σώφρων sophron {so’-frone}
Meaning: 1) of a sound mind, sane, in one’s senses 2) curbing one’s desires and impulses, self-controlled, temperate
Origin: from the base of 4982 and that of 5424; TDNT – 7:1097,1150; adj
Usage: AV – sober 2, temperate 1, discreet 1; 4

It’s from 4998, which has to do with curbing one’s impulses and desires. This word “4998” is also found here, and is translated “discreet.”

So to summarize, a woman’s clothing should reflect the following attributes:

• What is proper
• Well ordered
• Modest
• A sense of bashfulness
• Humility rather than flaunting self
• “not knowing” (e.g. nakedness not flaunted)
• Respectful shyness
• Self control/Temperance
• Sober mindedness
• Curbing the (carnal) impulses and desires
• Expressing reverence toward Elohim

Now I’m not making a list here for legalistic purposes, in the sense that there is this list of do’s and don’ts and that this is a complete list. There is an attitude, or spirit that Yahweh desire women to have, and their clothing choices should reflect that:

One’s adornment should not be what’s on the outside, but what’s on the inside. And what’s on the inside should be evident by what is worn on the outside. One’s adornment in the inside should be a gentle quietness of spirit. This is much different than the bold, “Look at me!” kinds of clothing styles seen by women in magazines, music videos and such.

When other women are wearing the kinds of clothes that get everyone’s attention, holy women will wear the kinds of clothes that reflect holiness.

So when it says:

To wear something proper, something that reflects humility and reverence toward Elohim. And while others are wearing something that’s attention-getting, and flaunting themselves, while you are over her on the other side of the room, wearing clothing that’s unassuming, and not having all the pizzazz and frills.. you are not ashamed of what you have on, but boldly communicating a lack of conformity to the world and to worldliness.. just as men bodly lift up holy hands anywhere and everywhere, without wrath..

Don’t be angry that you look different than the world. Don’t be angry that others don’t give you the attention that someone else is getting. Trust in Yahweh, walk in a meek and quiet spirit, let that be your adorning. And for young girls who are single, the right kind of man will be very attracted to that.

You are looking for the kind of adornment that is very precious in the sight of Elohim, an attitude of meekness, humility, moderation. And holy young men who are attracted to holiness will be attracted to your attributes. Yahweh resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

Men who love Elohim resist the proud also, and will give you grace in abundance if you possess the meek spirit that Yahweh has called all of us to have.

And so, we are looking at clothing reflecting “which is proper for women professing reverence toward Elohim.”

Have you ever heard the phrase when somebody is getting a complement and he kind of lets that complement bounce off him, and then somebody says, “well, he’s just being modest.” In other words, he’s not trying to draw attention to himself.

Well, that translates not only in our attitude, but in our clothing.

So we’re talking about modest apparel and it says “with propriety and moderation.” And then it says, “not with, not with!”
Not with what?

• Braided hair
• Gold
• Pearls
• Costly clothing

Look at the standard they had back then. Braided hair! That’s immodest! Wearing of gold. Pearls! Costly clothing! That’s immodest. Oh, that woman with braided hair! That’s so immodest.

Now that’s a far cry from what we see today.. I mean, what we see today is far more extreme. What we see today is downright vulgar.

Now, some have said the braided hair is talking about how they used to put gold inside their hair and what not. I don’t know? It just says braided hair. I mean, why would braided hair be immodest? Some might say it’s a utility thing to kind of keep the hair out of everything. But that’s what they considered to be a immodesty in those days.

How about today? Hair arrangements are a big deal today. Hair arrangements! A woman’s hair is her glory!

And so hair arrangements, if done in a way to flaunt yourself – to say, “oh, how beautiful I am” – can be immodest, because it’s not humble. And jewelry.

• Braided hair
• Gold
• Pearls
• Costly clothing

Now I can understand if somebody wore some kind of ring. I can’t find any pagan origins of rings. But if they wore a ring to signify that they were married, great! But, if it is to flaunt yourself – “oh, look at me!” Or, as a substitute in your heart – “this will make me feel good about myself.” We have to be careful about these heart issues.

But notice that this is a small list of things that are reflections of the wrong attitude. These are attempts to flaunt oneself, not

Right and left:

NOT WITH | WITH

• What is proper
• Well ordered
• Modest
• A sense of bashfulness
• Humility rather than flaunting self
• “not knowing” (e.g. nakedness not flaunted)
• Respectful shyness
• Self control/Temperance
• Sober mindedness
• Curbing the (carnal) impulses and desires
• Expressing reverence toward Elohim

Now these 4 things are not intended to be a legal code to follow. For instance, it says not to wear pearls.. but if you have fake pearls, would that be ok? Or if you have fake gold, would that be ok? Or suppose you didn’t have braided hair, but you fancied up your hair in some other way.. would that be ok?

What Paul is really addressing are attitudes of the heart. The meek and quiet spirit. Curbing the impulses and wearing what is proper for women professing a reverence toward Elohim. So if you are trying to get away with it by wearing alternatives you aren’t understanding what’s being communicated here..

Now, some have said that what Paul is bringing up here is just Paul’s opinion.. a new thing that had never been taught in the Torah.. and so we have the option of ignoring what he is saying here. But listen, would you agree with Paul on this point…

And Yahushua who said

If you have decided that you are going to let scripture be your guide, rather than your own will, then you need to make a decision as to whether or not you believe Paul’s writings are scripture.

If you don’t think they are scripture then rip them out of your bible and stop reading them. But if you believe that they are Elohim-breathed scripture than you aren’t reading Paul’s writings.. per say. You are reading the thoughts of Yahweh Elohim, the King of the Universe

And Peter agreed that Paul’s letters were scripture:

Now, what Paul is writing here about clothing reflecting one’s attitude.. what he’s really concerned about is that our clothing isn’t communicating a message that is different than the kind of attitudes that Yahweh wants us to have.

NOT WITH | WITH

• What is proper
• Well ordered
• Modest
• A sense of bashfulness
• Humility rather than flaunting self
• “not knowing” (e.g. nakedness not flaunted)
• Respectful shyness
• Self control/Temperance
• Sober mindedness
• Curbing the (carnal) impulses and desires
• Expressing reverence toward Elohim

And what Paul is writing is not without precedent in the OT. Remember what we read earlier:

Yahweh did not like their haughtiness and arrogance. What they were communicating by the kinds of clothes they wore was pride. Yahweh speaks of how the daughters of Zion were prideful:

Now, invariably when ever this matter is brought up, I will hear the voices of those who quote the book of Ezekiel. Now let’s take a look at

Now first of all notice that he’s talking about the city, and what He did for the inhabitants of the city.

And many have quoted this verse in support of the view that one can wear these kinds of things. After all, since Yahweh Himself says he adorned a woman with these things, how can we possibly say that it’s wrong for a woman to wear them?

But look at what happened when Yahweh adorned her with these things:

So some would conclude that as long as one does not trust in their beauty and commit the abominations to Yahweh with the things He has given, that it would be okay for a woman to be all decked out in these things.

Now if Yahweh Himself was to put something like that on you, of course I wouldn’t have a problem with it. But when you put it on yourself, that’s not quite the same thing. One is an instance of Yahweh glorifying you, and the other is an instance of you glorifying yourself.

Yahushua said:

He plans to glorify us one day..and we will be glorified by Yahweh Himself. But for now, we are called to humble ourselves in the sight of Yahweh.. and when we do that, He will lift us up

And another point that I would bring up..

There are differences between what Yahweh was doing prior to the Messiah coming and after Messiah coming.

Remember, people were not baptizing in Yahushua’s name prior to the Messiah coming, right? And so, there is one difference. Actually, we see a number of differences. And the reason why there are differences is because of Yahweh’s plan and what He is trying to accomplish at the time.

We need to understand Yahweh’s plan. Yahweh’s plan up until the Messiah came and died for our sins was establishing an earthly kingdom.

And He did so; through David; through Solomon. And when these men were alive, there was much glory to be brought to Yahweh because Yahweh’s nation that He established on the earth through the Exodus events, that’s fine. How about now? We read in the New Testament that our kingdom is not of this world.

Yahushua said,

Instead, our focal point now, is not on setting up a present-day kingdom with this worlds riches and interests. Rather, we’re looking toward the future. A kingdom under which Messiah will reign. Yahushua, Ha-Mashiach will reign.

And so, there are some differences now that we have chosen a heavenly King of a kingdom that is not of this world. These were earthly kings – David and Solomon and so on, that Yahweh chose. But now we are looking at a heavenly King that will endure forever. His kingdom will have no end. And he reigns right now in the heavenlies.

Scripture even says that we are seated in the heavenly places with him, so where is our focus? Where are our affections? Where are our interests supposed to be? Toward the earthly things or toward the heavenly things?

At the time when Yahweh had established His kingdom on earth through David and Solomon, the wearing of gold and costly apparel was fine. Yahushua spoke of Solomon being arrayed in glory. It glorified Yahweh; it glorified His kingdom. And it would show forth the blessing of a nation who chose Yahweh to be their King.

A monarchy. Not a republic. Not a democracy. A monarchy. Where Yahweh alone is King. But now we see the wearing of gold and costly apparel signifies a “this world” focus. A “this world” mindset, rather than Messiah. And so, our focal point – things that we’re looking to – is futuristic. It’s futuristic.

And when our clothing that we wear has what appears to be a “this world” focus to it, it has a way of communicating where our hearts are really wrapped up. Yahweh said:

But then after Messiah, we read:

Do we see a difference? Yahweh adorning us vs. us adorning ourselves. It doesn’t mean that Yahweh changes. It doesn’t even mean He changes His standards. But even if you think Yahweh is adorning you with it, we’ve got to understand Yahweh’s plan. We have to get with His plan and we need to know the times that we are in and our clothing – the things that we wear – are indicative of where our focus really is.

Are we really about our Father’s business, or are we pretty much interested in what the world is doing right now? The business of the world. Where is our focus? Very important question. Our clothing does have an impact on that! Look what happened when ancient Israel was dressed so beautifully and adorned. What happened?

Yahushua said,

“how hard it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of Elohim,” because of this very tendency that we have – a “this world” mindset. So we have here some important lessons for us. Yahweh did seek to establish his kingdom on the earth but He knew that it wouldn’t work unless there was a truly righteous King.

So our clothing choices should reflect a holy mindset that is not impressed with the world and its riches and its glory…
Our clothing choices should reflect that we are not of the world, but that we seek to glorify Yahweh rather than ourselves:

You don’t even belong to yourself! You are not your own! Don’t act like you are! You flaunt yourself. You didn’t make yourself. You didn’t create yourself.

Do we do that? We were bought, our body is not our own, so what are we doing with it? What are we doing with Yahweh’s body? Are we glorifying him or are we advancing the kingdom of his enemy? Glorify him in your body. And in your spirit, both of which belong to Elohim. This means that we’re going to look different than the world.

We’re also going to act different. We’re going to talk different and we’re going to be different. We are called to glorify Yahweh with our body and spirit which belong to Him.

And so, in everything we do.

So the point of everything we do is not to glorify ourselves, but to glorify Elohim.

When we put our clothes on in the morning, let’s ask ourselves, “Who we are seeking to glorify?”

If you are putting something on in the morning and you say to yourself, “this makes me feel good.”

Ask yourself, “Why does this make me feel good?” Is it because you don’t have a sense of worth unless you have certain clothes on.. and you present yourself a certain way?

Can you feel good about yourself and who you are in Messiah even if you don’t wear that type of clothing?

Can you feel good about yourself even if you were wearing something more plain and unassuming?

What kinds of clothing represents holiness and what kinds of clothing represents self-glorification?

When it comes down to specifics, where do we really draw the line?

I get it, women like pretty flowers, and you like the way a beautiful thing looks. We like lovely things and that’s okay, but we have always be on guard against pride. We always need to be on guard against allowing our physical appearance to define us, or be something that we use to be a hypocrite, or something we use to hide our flaws and try to inflate our sense of self worth.

All things need to be about glorifying Elohim, and presenting ourselves in the way that He desires us to present ourselves. Let’s do just that!

We have many things to expand on and other areas to explore. Click here to continue into part 2