The "dress code" is essential...

[acerrak]

people know regardless of dress, what light is shining through.

at work when i was a sinner, i cursed with them, cut up and made dirty jokes with them. we even have a preacher at work and i would harass him. some time later, after the Lord got a hold of me and i changed, some of the newer workers had a hard time believing i was like that, But i got a preacher to back it up.

now people do the same, try not to curse around me, wont tell dirty jokes around me. people have asked me to pray for there kids, spouses. I sing i pray, and i preach to myself outloud
People still look at me wierd when i do that, but thus i enjoy the freedom at work to do so.

[Narrow Is The Way]

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

so that people will know you're a Christian?

I think I've disproved that theory.


I recently got a new job. I no longer follow the Pentecostal 'dress code' and haven't since I've worked there. I honestly was curious if it would prove to be true that no one would know I was a Christian, or "different", without the "separateness" of the dress code.

I'm not the preachy type. I'm not the type to go around telling everyone I'm a Christian. I just try to be friendly, courteous, considerate and do a good job. If asked what I'm doing this weekend I might say something like - "Oh, we have a carnival at church we're working on", or something like that, but other than that the subject of whether or not I'm a Christian hasn't come up.

A few weeks ago, one of the ladies I work with stopped mid-sentence and apologized to me for saying a curse word. I probably looked at her funny because it surprised me. She said - "I'm so sorry, I try not to cuss around you, but it keeps slipping out!" She said - "I know you're a church-goer, and I don't mean to talk like that around you." I was actually quite stunned because most of the people we work with go to church... and most of them cuss.

About a week later I was in the file room and another woman dropped a box and said something under her breath. She popped up and said - "I didn't cuss!! I'd be so embarrassed if I cussed around you!" Again I was surprised. I really had not known at all that anyone noticed anything different about me.

Apparently a light can shine through even without the dress code. And I don't say that arrogantly, I say it very humbly and gratefully. Grateful that God lets his light shine through me. Grateful that his Spirit is strong enough to shine through even through our fumbling and stumbling.

I'm just posting this because it's something I honestly wondered about, and was a little concerned about. I'd heard it so often that the dress code was necessary so that people would know you were different. I am truly grateful to learn that that wasn't true.

Unfortunately, you have lost the concept of holiness. Holiness is UNTO THE LORD. It is nice if somebody on the street thinks you are a Christian, but you will not be judged one day by anybody on the street or at work. You will be judged by God almighty and that is the one you should desire to please with both your Heart and your appearance.

[shag]

Originally Posted by Narrow Is The Way

Unfortunately, you have lost the concept of holiness. Holiness is UNTO THE LORD. It is nice if somebody on the street thinks you are a Christian, but you will not be judged one day by anybody on the street or at work. You will be judged by God almighty and that is the one you should desire to please with both your Heart and your appearance.

And what exactly makes U think she is not dressing to please God?

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Narrow Is The Way

Unfortunately, you have lost the concept of holiness. Holiness is UNTO THE LORD. It is nice if somebody on the street thinks you are a Christian, but you will not be judged one day by anybody on the street or at work. You will be judged by God almighty and that is the one you should desire to please with both your Heart and your appearance.

Nowhere in AQP's post did she mention not dressing in a way that is modest or pleasing to God. I'd be willing to wager that she agrees we should strive to please God in all things, including how we present ourselves. I'm quite sure that she believes in following God's Word as closely as possible. Man-made rules and rules found in God's Word aren't interchangeable. Man-made rules most certainly do NOT constitute holiness in any way, shape or form, inwardly or outwardly. Rules that we follow can be wise, beneficial and vary from church to church, home to home and person to person. They don't make us holy. There is no need to fear the wrath or judgment of God by following His Word and rejecting the opinions of people, which are as numerous as belly buttons.

I have friends who are charismatic Christians, and they absolutely stand out from the "crowd" with their loving, gregarious attitudes, their excitement and passion about all things "God", and beautiful character. I do believe in being modest and conservative in dress, but it would be very short sighted to think that people who don't agree with MY particular interpretation of what that means aren't Christian or don't stand out to the secular world as such.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

so that people will know you're a Christian?

I think I've disproved that theory.


I recently got a new job. I no longer follow the Pentecostal 'dress code' and haven't since I've worked there. I honestly was curious if it would prove to be true that no one would know I was a Christian, or "different", without the "separateness" of the dress code.

I'm not the preachy type. I'm not the type to go around telling everyone I'm a Christian. I just try to be friendly, courteous, considerate and do a good job. If asked what I'm doing this weekend I might say something like - "Oh, we have a carnival at church we're working on", or something like that, but other than that the subject of whether or not I'm a Christian hasn't come up.

A few weeks ago, one of the ladies I work with stopped mid-sentence and apologized to me for saying a curse word. I probably looked at her funny because it surprised me. She said - "I'm so sorry, I try not to cuss around you, but it keeps slipping out!" She said - "I know you're a church-goer, and I don't mean to talk like that around you." I was actually quite stunned because most of the people we work with go to church... and most of them cuss.

About a week later I was in the file room and another woman dropped a box and said something under her breath. She popped up and said - "I didn't cuss!! I'd be so embarrassed if I cussed around you!" Again I was surprised. I really had not known at all that anyone noticed anything different about me.

Apparently a light can shine through even without the dress code. And I don't say that arrogantly, I say it very humbly and gratefully. Grateful that God lets his light shine through me. Grateful that his Spirit is strong enough to shine through even through our fumbling and stumbling.

I'm just posting this because it's something I honestly wondered about, and was a little concerned about. I'd heard it so often that the dress code was necessary so that people would know you were different. I am truly grateful to learn that that wasn't true.

It is a wonderful discovery to find that it's truly Christ in us that draws people and not extraneous trappings in our control. It's a relief, really, to find that simply being His is all it takes. People will wonder, notice and desire what you have. I am a proponent of conservative dress (although not to the extent that any manual puts it forth), but I do think it often creates a barrier between us and the world rather than enhancing our "attraction." In some cases, I believe it makes us unapproachable. That's not to say that people might admire from afar; perhaps they do. I know that in some cases it's been stated that they do, though whether or not such comments were patronizing rather than honest, I don't know for sure. A very conservative and distinct dress code can also make a Christian woman in particular feel unapproachable and that is conveyed subconsciously to those around her--including some who might actually want to know more about what she believes.

There's never anything wrong with simplifying your walk with God and adhering to the Word first and foremost. Turn off the background noise.

[Narrow Is The Way]

Originally Posted by shag

And what exactly makes U think she is not dressing to please God?

Because she said so right off the bat. She said she had quit following the Pentecostal dress code (that was her words) For her to say that she was doing it no longer, indicates that at one point she did dress differently.
It's not funny but very sad. The Apostle Paul talked about those who once believed something and went back on what they believed.
Gal 2:18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.

Her whole point was to say that she dresses just like the world does and they still noticed she was a Christian.
If that is the case, the whole world is dressing to please God.
I want the world to see that I am dressing to please God, not dressing like they dress.

[Truthseeker]

When I wear a suit and tie am I not dressing like the world? We look no different then a bunch lying no good heathen politicians. Who came up with suits and ties? Wasn't apostles.

[houston]

bwahahaha

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Narrow Is The Way

Because she said so right off the bat. She said she had quit following the Pentecostal dress code (that was her words) For her to say that she was doing it no longer, indicates that at one point she did dress differently.
It's not funny but very sad. The Apostle Paul talked about those who once believed something and went back on what they believed.
Gal 2:18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.

Her whole point was to say that she dresses just like the world does and they still noticed she was a Christian.
If that is the case, the whole world is dressing to please God.
I want the world to see that I am dressing to please God, not dressing like they dress.

Actually, that wasn't her point. Her point was that she no longer follows the "pentecostal dress code." Not that she "dresses just like the world." Even when not following the code, there's a large margin between someone dressing modestly and how the world dresses. Or do you look around when you're at the mall?

That said, we aren't to dress differently from the world just for the sake of it. We should choose our actions and our appearance and our speech because they are pleasing to God. There will be times when we may be in good company and we may NOT stand out that much; other times, we will stand out significantly. It happens by default; not because we purposely arrange it. Being different from the world is going to occur naturally if we follow God's Word. We don't have to go above and beyond His Word for that to happen. I think it's sad that you have equated man-made rules with His Word and treat them as if they are equally important.

Oddly enough, Pentecostal men experience this on a regular basis because in many cases their dress/appearance is exactly the same as the secular men around them. So what makes them stand out? The Spirit of God affecting their actions and conversation--from the inside out.

I don't believe in this nonsense of looking at how the world dresses and purposely choosing something different for the sake of being different. The right way of choosing everything about my life is to ask myself, "Is this pleasing to God?" Differences can occur (or not occur) where they may.

[Truthseeker]

Your acting like shes wearing tank tops and behind shorts. Why do we assume the worse about others so easily?