We influence people whether we like it or not.  I have written about influence previously, and what I am about to say will not be popular with some, perhaps all.  …but I’m not here for a popularity contest or to see how many “likes” I get on FB.  I never considered the way a person dresses would invite some to open a conversation to spiritual matters, but it has happened to me on more than one occasion, on Lord’s day, at Walmart, and I no longer can ignore the subject.

Today, as is my routine on Lord’s day, I teach my Bible class, and then worship with the saints.  Afterwards, I eat lunch and go by Walmart.  I’m about thirty miles away from where I worship, thus the routine.  The very mention of Walmart generates laughter.  I don’t need to explain. It is common knowledge of the dress and other things that go on at the store.

Today, while checking out, a woman approached me and told me how nice I looked.  I thanked her and continued with the task at hand.  She continued by saying.  “I used to go to church, but I stopped.”  “I guess I didn’t want to be forgiven of my sins.”  “I still don’t, I guess, or I would be attending.”  …and then she left, but her comments have stayed with me since.

This is not the first time I have heard similar comments from various people in the everyday world, but the comments from total strangers who have engaged me in conversation, especially on Lord’s day,  give me pause.  I have thought much about this subject and decided to write about it.

How did the woman know I had been to worship?  She didn’t know anything about me other than the way I was dressed, but spiritual concerns came into play during the conversation.  Had I blended in with the rest of the Walmart crowd this first day of the week I don’t believe she would have said anything.  I would have been just another face in the crowd.  But when one separates you apart from the crowd and opens a conversation, on Lord’s day, about your dress, it makes you stop and think.

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts:  and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:  Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.”  For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.”    I Peter 3:15-17

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people;  that ye should shew forth the praises of Him Who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light;

I dress modestly, and becoming of woman.  Not flashy, but classic in style. Simple adornment.

“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety;  not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;  But which becometh women professing godliness with good works.”    I Timothy 2:9-10

I have heard many times, that it doesn’t matter how you dress for worship.  It’s all about your heart.  I have seen all manner of dress at worship. Men in walking shorts, logos of just about anything you can think of.  See through blouses, too short dresses, too low cut blouses.  It has gotten so bad that elders are now having to tell women to watch their dress, for the men waiting on the Lord’s table are seeing Christian women in questionable dress.  Funeral homes, schools and those that appear at Jury duty are now having to have guidelines in how to dress appropriately.  Christians, above all people, should be leading the way in modest and appropriate dress.

“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”
James 1:27

We influence people in many ways, from our dress, to our speech, to our actions before others.  Everything you do is an autograph.  Make sure it is a good one.

“Modesty is a wall to the uninvited,
a guardian to what is protected,
an invitation to the respectful,
a statement of values to the unbeliever,
a sense of dignity to the culture that
wages war on our worth,
and a gift of honor to the One we
represent.”        ~ McKee