Debuting in 2003, “What Not To Wear” was a reality makeover television show that aired for 10 years. The premise was that people mistakenly dressed in ways that made them look bad because they were ignorant of what clothing styles complemented their age, body type and profession. Armed with the personalized coaching of a fashion professional, the participant would be sent shopping with a gift card in hand and a camera crew in-tow.
A biblical parallel is found in Titus 2:10 where Christians are told they look their best when they “adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.” What a curious concept! How does one go about adorning doctrine? We know it was important to God because he mandated the adornment of Old Testament priests. They were required to wear a robe hemmed with bells, an “ephod” with engraved “stones of remembrance,” a “breastplate of judgment” and a shining headpiece that read “Holy to the Lord.” Each part of the priestly attire served a God-honoring purpose, but what about today?
Ceremonial laws that required a particular manner of dress for priests pointed to a better future reality—one that is realized in New Testament biblical doctrine. You need not wear a special robe or golden headpiece, but what those things symbolized still applies. You are required to “adorn doctrine.” Notice the custom fit of that doctrine to each type of Christian.
But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. (Tit. 2:1–10)
What looks good on a Christian is being sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, steadfast, reverent, kind, a model of good works and having integrity, dignity and sound speech. There may not be a shiny gold plate on your head that reads “Holy to the Lord,” but when the world knows you are Christian you might as well be a participant on a reality TV show. Everyone watching you is a judge.
For a Christian, the answer to “what not to wear” doesn’t require a trained eye. The incongruity is obvious when you adorn behavior that is unbefitting one who is holy to the Lord. The prayer closet is the place to ensure you’re putting on the right things. Ask yourself what your family, neighbor and co-workers will see? Will it fit nicely among the list of attributes in Titus 2, or, like a swimsuit at a job interview, could it be featured in a “What Not To Wear” Christian reality show?
You’ve received coaching that exponentially exceeds that of a fashionista. You have the personalized instruction of the Word of God! “Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:22–24). Don’t take a single step out of that prayer closet inappropriately dressed!
But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. (Eph. 5:3–4)