Let me return
to a bit of basics here. The rule of reading is: If the
principle or concept is repeated in the New Testament, the verse stands.
If the rule or principle is NOT repeated in the New Testament, it is
most
likely not required. As an example: we find the principle of separation
between the sexes in BOTH the Old and New Testaments. In the Old
Testament, we find the killing of animals required in order to provide a
blood sacrifice. There is no such repetition of principle in the New
Testament. That's why we do not sacrifice today.
I don’t
hesitate to use Deuteronomy 22:5 to prove
that women ought not to wear men’s clothes, and men ought not to wear
women’s clothes, any more than I would hesitate to use
Psalm 23 at a funeral. Why? Because the
truths in both passages are repeated in the New Testament.
Again, ask
yourself, "is it worn by the opposite sex?" I realize that some want
to argue over whether a woman should wear a belt or socks, or t-shirts and
such because men also wear these. The fact is that we are not
talking about "hidden" garments that are not obvious, and neither are the
biblical scriptures. The scriptures speak of things that pertain to
the obvious outward show. (Please don't try to MISQUOTE 1 Samuel
16:7....this scripture has absolutely NOTHING to do with clothing and
"misquoting" or "misusing" it shows your argumentative nature in trying to
prove your own personal outlook). Why don't you let the bible speak
for itself?
Ask yourself,
"What Do I Look Like When I Wear ____________?" How do others see
you? How about from a distance? Men, if someone sees you
across a parking lot from the back, could they tell you were a man or is
your hair longer than your girlfriend's as you walk around in your kilt
(if that's what you wish to call your skirt)?"
Many times,
the only way to tell if a person is male or female is to look in other
places on the body that you have no business looking at anyway. It
is Satan that wants you to look there, NOT GOD. We need to wake up
and understand Satan's hand in this. We should not wear ANY clothing
that would make someone wonder whether you are male or female, even at
great distance.
Every single
argument concerning clothing could be immediately silenced by doing just
one thing. Draw a line FOR YOURSELF that you are going to wear only
the very obvious clothing that pertains to your sex.
I'm not aware
(although I'm sure there are enough damnable pulpits out there who would
do this), of anyone who would accept a man showing up in church in a
woman's dress with high heels. Even our culture doesn't accept men
dressing as women, regardless of what the damnable few want to say.
The argument
always follows that one has to work in a factory, or in the field, or some
other situation. Yes, I understand this. I wonder what Ruth
wore when she gleaned the fields of Boaz? Hmmmm.
Regardless,
have you considered wearing culottes in such a situation? Considering today's baggy pants style,
they would certainly fit in, now wouldn't they? You see, there is
only one reason to argue over this. You don't want to accept the
Word of God as it is written!
I know many
women who wouldn't dare wear pants to church but go home and put them on.
That's amusing. They remind me of the Pharisees that Jesus
called Whited Sepulchers. They only want to "look" the part when
someone else is watching. I will never tell you what to wear, nor
have I ever done that with anyone but, there is a limit to what I will
tolerate. Your life, however, is up to you and God. Ladies, you should
read the teaching on
modesty and understand one more thing: If it is WRONG
or sinful (according
to many of you this is your belief) to wear a particular article of
clothing in church (such as pants), then it is just as wrong to wear it at home! It
isn't the pastor you have to impress!
Before you accuse me of being legalistic
and judgmental, let me tell you bluntly: What you wear is
between you and God. On the other hand, as a Pastor, I
must be responsible for the flock and for the men in the
congregation in particular when it comes to manner of dress.
Why is that? It is because I will have to answer to God
some day for all who are under my care. I don't take my
position lightly!
Let's sum up
this thought before we move on:
Don't wear
any article of clothing that the opposite sex wears. You'll be safe
that way.
Make sure
that what you wear identifies you as a male or as a female, and not in a
way that a person would have to look at the tempting zones of the body to
tell whether you are a male or female. I know that you don't want to be a
Devil's advocate on this matter, yet when you wear such clothing, this is
exactly what you are doing.
Let's move to
another question as we continue:
