DOES THE BIBLE TEACH A DRESS CODE?
For many years those who claim the name of Church of God
have been divided over what they call the standard. I don’t
believe the dress code is the standard. Jesus is the only standard
by which to measure. But as to the question at hand, I believe an
honest look at the Bible will forever settle the important issue of
the way God’s people are to dress.
The first issue would have to be, what is considered as
nakedness. In our modern society it means to be completely
nude but the Bible makes it plain that one can have some form of
covering and at the same time be considered naked.
Genesis 3:7: And the eyes of them both were opened, and
they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves
together, and made themselves aprons. In their eyes they were
naked and they made a feeble attempt to clothe themselves.
They sewed leaves together into a primitive bikini. By the
world’s standard, they now were clothed but let’s keep reading.
Genesis 3:21: Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God
make coats of skins, and clothed them. God saw the small aprons
that barely covered the private parts of Adam and Eve but He
wanted them to be fully clothed so He made coverings for them.
If God wanted them clothed when they were the only two people
on earth and they were married, how much more do you think He
wants us to be covered today?
Let’s look at Exodus 28:42: And thou shalt make them linen
breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the
thighs they shall reach: Notice if you will that the priests had to
make breeches to cover their nakedness and also note that they
were to cover the loins down to the thigh. Anything above the
knee is considered the thigh and thereby constituting nakedness
if they are exposed. So having learned that showing anything
above the thigh is nakedness we now turn our attention upon the
type of attire God require us to use in the covering of it.
Deut. 22:5: The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth
unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for
all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God. Some
would say that this has been changed because of the times we
live in but let me remind you that what was an abomination to
God then, is still an abomination. Women have always worn
dresses until the early 1900’s at which time they begin to seek
for public work outside the home. While I commend them for
helping to pay the bills, I don’t think they should wear men’s
attire to do so.
Nahum 3:5: Behold, I am against thee, saith the Lord of
hosts; and I will discover thy skirts upon thy face, and I will
show the nations thy nakedness, and the kingdoms thy shame.
The word “discover” means to uncover something. You will
notice it says He will discover their skirts upon their faces; in
order to pull a skirt far enough to cover their face it is obvious
that it would have to be a pretty long skirt. A mini-skirt or one
that would only come a little above the knee would not be long
enough.
Even as clear as these scriptures are, you must allow the Spirit
to make these plain to you.
How about make-up and jewelry? Jeremiah 4:30: And when
thou art spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself
with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold,
though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou
make thyself fair; thy lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy
life. First thing to notice is the state of being of this person to
whom he is talking. It says, “when thou are spoiled”. There are
many who have given room for the flesh and now have become
spoiled.
It says they start picking up ornaments of gold or in modern terms, jewelry.Notice if you will, that those that are doing such things are
spoiled. It also says “they rent their face with painting”. The
Greek word for “rent” means to rend, revile, or to tear. This reference,
no doubt, refers to the make-up of those who are spoiled.
If that is not clear enough, let’s take a look at another one. 2
Kings 9:30: And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard
of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out
at a window. Notice once again the painting of the face, but pay
attention to whom it is speaking. Jezebel was the one doing to
painting and it is well known who she is. She is the symbol of
prostitutes. I am not saying that everyone that paints their face if
a prostitute, but I am asking, do you want to associate with a symbol
such as her?

Another topic that will get me in deep trouble, is over the length
of a woman’s hair. 1 Corinthians 11:3: But I would have you know,
that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is
the man; and the head of Christ is God. First of all, we notice that
the head of the woman is the man. And that the head of the man is
Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:4: Every man praying or prophesying, having
his head covered, dishonoureth his head. Many have suggested
that this is referring to a hat or some type of head covering. While I
am against a man do so, this is not what He is talking about.
1 Corinthians 11:14: Doth not even nature itself teach you, that,
if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? The covering He is
referring to is the hair, and that a man should not have long hair while
praying lest He dishonor his head which is Christ. This will be more
obvious when we look at the woman’s hair. 1 Corinthians 11:5: But
every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered
dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
Many suggest that this is referring to a veil, but keep reading and it
will explain itself. 1 Corinthians 11:15: But if a woman have long
hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. Notice
two things here: her hair is her glory and it is given for a covering.
In summary, if a woman prays or prophesies with her head uncovered,
which means with short hair, she dishonors her head, the
man, which in turn dishonors his head which is Christ.
I would ask that you take the material we have presented before
God and allow the Holy Spirit witness to your heart if these things be
so. It is our desire to inform and instruct Christians as to what the
Bible teaches and never to beat the sheep of God’s fold.