Why Should We Have A Dress Code?

Two of my sons are in Taekwon-do, and in Takewon-do there is a dress code that is respected and adhered to.

However, in a great many churches today, there is no dress code for people on the worship team, or for people in leadership positions in church ministries, including those ministries that involve children.

Why should churches have a dress code? I will answer this question through Scripture.

Christianity is not all about "me;" it's also about others. Therefore, we are commanded by God not to put a stumbling block in anyone's path, so as not to discredit our ministry.

"We put no stumbling block in anyone's path,

so that our ministry will not be discredited."

2 Corinthians 6:3 (NLT)

We are to respect God's commands and His authority, and not develop our own set of rules to live by. We are not the god of our lives. God is, and He has commanded us to live in holiness and honour. That includes the way we dress.

"God's will is for you to be holy,

so stay away from all sexual sin.

Then each of you will control his own body

 and live in holiness and honor —

not in lustful passion like the pagans

who do not know God and His ways."

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 (NLT)

We are not to love the world more than God. In other words, we are not to crave the things of this world, such as fashionable clothes that are provocative.

"Do not love this world nor the things it offers you,

for when you love the world,

you do not have the love of the Father in you.

For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure,

a craving for everything we see,

and pride in our achievements and possessions.

These are not from the Father, but are from this world.

And this world is fading away,

along with everything that people crave.

But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever."

1 John 2:15-17 (NLT)

We are to be God-pleasers, not people-pleasers. We are called by God to be His servants. We are not to try to win the approval of people, but of God. The idea of a dress code might offend some, but we need to be more concerned about offending God, and we need to teach others to respect His Word, His holiness, and His authority so that offence is not taken.

"Obviously, I am not trying to win the approval of people,

but of God.

If pleasing people were my goal,

I would not be Christ's servant."

Galatians 1:19 (NLT)

Inner beauty is much more important than outer beauty, and inner beauty is what we need to reveal to others, not our bodies. Why should our self-esteem be based on our outward attractiveness or sexual appeal when God looks at the heart?

"The Lord doesn't see things the way you see them.

People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

1 Samuel 16:7 (NLT)

Lastly, His Word tells us so and we are to obey.

"And I want women to be modest in their appearance.

They should wear decent and appropriate clothing."

1 Timothy 2:9 (NLT)