What does the Bible say about dress code?
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The Bible calls believers to dress with modesty, self-control, and reverence for God, seeking inward godliness rather than vanity or sensual display. First Timothy 2:9 and 1 Peter 3:3-4 commend respectable appearance while emphasizing the lasting beauty of a gentle, godly heart. Deuteronomy 22:5 teaches that God’s people should honor the distinctions he has established, rather than deliberately rejecting them. Yet Scripture does not give a universal fashion code or make outward appearance the measure of righteousness. First Samuel 16:7 reminds us that the Lord looks on the heart, while 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 calls Christians to honor God with their bodies. Dress should therefore reflect love for God and neighbor, humility, purity, and freedom from legalism.
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- 1 Timothy 2:9
In the same way, that women also adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety; not just with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing;
- Deuteronomy 22:5
A woman shall not wear men's clothing, neither shall a man put on women's clothing; for whoever does these things is an abomination to Yahweh your God.
- 1 Peter 3:3-4
[3] Let your beauty be not just the outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on fine clothing; [4] but in the hidden person of the heart, in the incorruptible adornment of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God very precious.
- Proverbs 15:3
Yahweh's eyes are everywhere, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
- 1 Samuel 16:7
But Yahweh said to Samuel, "Don't look on his face, or on the height of his stature; because I have rejected him: for [Yahweh sees] not as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks at the heart."
- Genesis 18:20-21
[20] Yahweh said, "Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous, [21] I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come to me. If not, I will know."
- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
[19] Or don't you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have from God? You are not your own, [20] for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.
- Matthew 5:28
but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.
- Luke 12:35
"Let your loins be girded and your lamps burning.
- 2 Samuel 8:1-2
[1] After this it happened that David struck the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took the bridle of the mother city out of the hand of the Philistines. [2] He struck Moab, and measured them with the line, making them to lie down on the ground; and he measured two lines to put to death, and one full line to keep alive. The Moabites became servants to David, and brought tribute.
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