by Trisha Bridges Smith
With the change in weather sweaters and long sleeved shirts are being folded and packed away. Pants are getting shorter, shoes getting strappier, and sleeves are disappearing. Clothing becomes more and more revealing as summer approaches.
But what does your clothing say about you? Did you ever stop to think about the message you are sending to the opposite sex? Let’s look at a few scenarios. What do you think?
Scenario 1
The new girl walks through the door into your class. She twirls a bit of red hair in her fingers as her heavily made up eyes scan the room. Her shiny red lips spread into a slight smile at the looks on the guys’ faces. Her shorts are tight and so short that if she bends over her rear will show. Her low cut tank top barely conceals her chest, lace peeking from underneath. Her flat tummy boasts a belly button ring, an anklet graces her ankle perched above clunky heeled sandals.
Can you honestly say you didn’t think the worst of this girl just now?
Scenario 2
You are eating lunch when Dusty walks by. You hear the wallet chain clinking against the studded belt that barely holds up his baggy black pants. His long greasy hair hangs over his black lined eyes. His wife beater tank is tight against his muscled body. You have heard he has nearly everything pierced, and by looking at him you can already count 15 different piercings.
What did you just think of this guy?
Scenario 3
She stands in front of you in line for lunch. Her long curly hair is pulled back into a floofy ponytail, adorned with bright ribbons that match her flowery sundress. Her lightweight sweater is tied loosely around her waist, her purse over her shoulder and across her body. Her sandaled foot taps slightly on the tiled floor, her toenails colored softly in a pale pink shade.
Hmmm….. Are you making judgements about these people based on appearances?
Would it shock you if you found out that Dusty was a hardcore Christian that plays in a Christian metal band? Would it shock you to know the girl in line in front of you is an atheist that has an appointment after school with a local abortion clinic? What about the new girl? Would it surprise you that she just transferred from a Catholic school?
Sadly we tend to judge others by what they wear rather than who they are. In First Samuel there is a verse that speaks of man looking at the outward appearance while God looks at the heart. The Bible also tells us to be imitators of God. We need to discipline ourselves to stop judging people and look at the person instead.
So now that we know how we view others based on appearance evaluate your own. Are you telling people something you don’t mean to tell them through the way you dress? Are you causing someone to think badly of you? Are you causing someone to stumble?
Think about these things as you choose your clothes each day. Pray over what you should buy when you are shopping. Your appearance can speak just as loudly as your words and deeds. Be a witness through the way you dress.
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