Why What We Wear In Church Matters
Reflections on the Effects of Cultural Influence
This post expands on a comment I made on a recent post on Substack notes on appropriate dress in Church and how it affects others. The writer put a lot into it and it generated quite a bit of discussion in the comments. It’s a long post with many comments, so I posted the original with comments here:
My thoughts
This is an extremely important, yet controversial subject. I can only speak from personal experience. There’s a whole lot more to to be considered than just what we wear. But, what we wear is a reflection of how much cultural influence has permeated the Church.
As a teenager in the 60s and early 70s, I observed a seismic culture shift that completely changed the trajectory of thought and practice in Western society. Literally, within a couple of years, the culture of Mayberry became the chaos of American Graffiti.
Over night, our bodies and the responsive senses that had been kept private for centuries became openly displayed and encouraged.
In almost every country & culture, wearing formal or dress clothing in any situation showed respect and honor to the host. In a worship service, wearing our best displayed at least an outward attitude of reverence and worship. In Western culture, and especially in America, not wearing “church clothes”, which consisted of dresses for girls & women, suits for adult men, and shirts/ties for the younger boys was unthinkable.
Modesty, even among the “unchurched” had been fairly universal.
Then, something happened. Like a switch being flipped, “daisy duke” shorts, bikinis, and halter tops became acceptable attire for girls/women. Having grown up in coastal South Carolina, even the guys began wearing revealing clothing and sporting just bathing suits as much as we could get away with. Not much was left to the imagination.
Western Christian culture began to reflect society at large.
By the mid-sixties, the Hippie movement was in full swing. Soon, the call to “come as you are” no longer applied to the lost who were seeking deliverance from sin and the salvation of their souls. That attitude was embraced by the faithful as well to mean “Just show up. God doesn’t care about what you have on”.
During this time, teenage girls and boys became more provocative. There was open talk and jesting about sex. The acceptance of casual sex between boyfriend-girlfriend in the 60s was soon followed by impersonal “hookups” in the 70s. Living together was normalized, even among “church” going adults my parents age.
I remember when it was a scandal of the highest order for a teacher to pursue a relationship with a student. Now, even female teachers are pursuing a sexual relationship with younger and younger students. While it is still considered “taboo” and a crime, the persistence of it shows that society, at large, is becoming more desensitized to it.
Eventually, it will be universally accepted. Certain groups are already openly pursuing normalization of adult-child relationships. This is where it always goes. Lust has no boundaries if left unchecked.
Even our parents became desensitized as all this was promoted as normal on TV and in the movies. Women’s '“Glamour” magazines catered to a more “open” culture, primarily idolizing beautiful women. “Men’s” magazines that used to be sold from “behind the counter” became openly displayed on the rack next to the cash registers.
Teens had little to no moral restrictions. The mantra of the day was, “If it feels good, do it”.
Well, It felt good at the time, so we did it. Now many of my generation are paying heavy prices. Some have paid the ultimate price because of unbridled lust and foolishness.
Jonathan Cahn, in his recent epic work, The Return of the Gods, explains what is happening today in Spiritural terms.
Paraphrasing here, “The spread of Christianity in time and geography had kept paganism, with it’s celebration of sensuality, child sacrifice, and demonic power, repressed and in check. The reintroduction, and then acceptance of pagan spirituality (new-age) combined with mind-altering drugs, and music that promoted these things during the 60s, opened the door to wholesale demonic influences in Western society, especially in the US.”
This is where it always goes. Lust has no boundaries if left unchecked.
The quest to “push the envelop” more and more has led to what we see today. Open homosexuality, and even “transgenderism” is accepted in much of the church today, even among so-called “clergy”.
So, why am I saying all this?
Because, I believe wholeheartedly that it is all related. The immodesty we see among believers and which is accepted as normal is demonically driven to divide the Church (true believers). I am not blaming women, I am blaming a pleasure seeking culture, never satisfied and continuing to go further and further in its insatiable pursuit. We are constantly bombarded with the message that we are free to live the way we want. How it affects others is their concern, not ours. This message has filtered into the Church. It is selffish and sensual.
All sin, including immodesty and the lust that it fuels, is an outward manifestation of the spiritually depraved nature of human beings.
The difference is that, today, it is accepted as “normal” and therefore more prevalent in the Church. The problem is, that because of our sin nature, all men (mankind) are subject to lust. Especially spiritually immature and weak Christians. This is a rampant problem in the media driven society we live in.
The Bible provides clear directives concerning how our behavior, our words, and our attire, can be a stumblingblock to many. There are multiple references, but three very relevant ones come to mind:
Romans 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
1Corinthians 8:9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
Rev. 2:14 is very relevant to the Church today as it ties it all back to the demonic gods that Cahn talks about in his book. The churches John writes to are representative of church culture at various times through history. To the Church in Pergamos, John writes:
“But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.”
This could welll apply to the Church today.
Galatians 5:13 warns against using our liberty in Christ for an occasion to the flesh (ours and others).
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
Men, especially, are wired to be visually stimulated. Today, it cuts both ways as more and more women are affected by a loose moral society and widespread proliferation of pornography. And now we are dealing with AI generated images and video.
Pro 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
We all should be mindful that our words, actions, and appearance have the ability to encourage righteousness or enslave us, and influence others, to a never satisfying, ever increasing lustfulness.
The end state is death. Physical death, spiritual death, or both.
James 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Therefore, modest attire is a very important issue for the believer. Primarily from the standpoint of the interconnectedness of demonic influences in society as a whole, but particularly in the Church.
So, yes, we are “free” in Christ. Free from the “Law” that says, “you must live this way to keep your salvation”. But, keep in mind that our freedom also comes with a responsibility to others, especially to fellow-believers. And finally, remember that God is no less holy now than He has ever been.
Hebrews 3:8 “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”
That includes His holiness.
There is a lot more that could be said about this and related topics, which I will write about in future posts.
Just remember this, the way we live our lives as Christians affects others. Let us not be a “stumblingblock to someone else’s faith.
I know this is a controversial subject. My question is, “Why is that?”. Your thoughts and comments are welcomed.
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As a Christian thinker, adventurer, and storyteller, I spend my days writing two Substack newsletters from a Christian worldview.
On the The Talking Pen I write stories that warm your heart, sharpen your mind, and deepen your faith
Life UnCorked is where I publish articles about the many lessons I've learned over the years on Faith, Retirement, Money, Travel, Writing, and life in general.
