Does it Matter What I Wear?

We live in a society that is all about appearances. The way someone dresses is an indication of who they are (or who they want others to think they are.) As a Christian, though, does my outward appearance matter?

This question may bring to mind the verse from 1 Samuel that tells us that God looks on the heart. I have often heard this verse used to argue that external appearance doesn’t matter, and that the only thing that matters is the heart. But read the whole verse with me:

“But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” (16:7)

There are a couple things about this verse which make an argument for exactly the opposite point it is usually used to prove.

First, notice what Samuel had been impressed by: the man’s countenance, or face, and his stature. As Jesus points out in Matthew 6:27, there is nothing we can do to change our height, and (barring plastic surgery) we don’t have much say about our facial features either. This isn’t an example of being influenced by someone’s manner of dress, but rather their physical features.

While this does not negate the possibility of applying the principle of the verse to clothing or hair or any other type of outward adornment, it does weaken the argument for this verse being taken to mean that the outward does not matter.

The other part of this verse that argues against the external being insignificant is what God says in the middle of the verse:

“For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance”

Again, I do not want to take away from the Lord’s emphasis on the importance of the heart, but we cannot ignore that God Himself acknowledges here the truth that man does look on the outward appearance. To use this verse to dismiss the importance of our outward appearance is to take only part of what God said as true.  

This passage warns us that the outside can be deceitful, and that the heart is more important, but that does not necessarily mean that the outward appearance we present to others is at all unimportant.

There is one passage in particular that gives a very clear description of the interaction between the internal and external for the Christian. In 1 Peter 3, the Holy Spirit through Peter is addressing Christian women, particularly those married to unsaved men.

These women are encouraged to be submissive to their husbands, and to display a chaste conversation, or conduct, along with a reverent fear.

In other words, their inward relationship with God was to display itself outwardly in their behavior and demeanor. This display of godly character is what God indicates will win their unbelieving husbands to Christ.

The following verses are placed right in the middle of the passage about displaying godly character:

“Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” (vv.3-4)

We see here the same contrast as in 1 Samuel between the inward, seen and valued by God, and the outward, which is to reflect the inward.

Our culture understands this. Hence the push to “express yourself” by falling in step with the latest trends or creating a look that encapsulates your “identity.”

This passage in 1 Peter, along with many others, urges us as Christians, and specifically as Christian women, to adorn ourselves with that which will reflect a meek and quiet spirit, which is a heart of trusting submission towards God and to those He has placed in authority over us.

When you get dressed, what are you trying to look like? As a teen, I used to struggle against my parents’ rules concerning what I could or could not wear. I might not have put it in so many words, but I was trying to look like the world in order to impress the “popular kids” in my church.

That inward thirst for worldliness did display itself in my outward appearance, despite my parents’ best efforts. As I began to grow in my walk with God, I slowly became convicted about certain articles of clothing, and bit by bit, my outward appearance changed drastically.

What made the biggest difference, however, was asking myself this question:

“Does this outfit reflect a meek and quiet spirit? Will it identify me to others as one who loves and submits to God?”

I’m not perfect in this, and I still periodically purge my closet of things that don’t fit modestly or convey an image of Christlikeness. It’s a journey, but I have learned along the way that when I keep my focus on pleasing God inwardly, it is easier to choose to please Him outwardly.