Sunday, 28 June 2009
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Do You Judge People By What They Wear to Church?
Just this morning, I was preparing to leave the house for church when I was pondering over what clothing I should wear to church; a weekly 'problem' which I'm sure most of you can relate to. Soon, the questions came racing into my mind, "What should I wear to church? What should I wear to church so that others will think that what I'm wearing is acceptable and pleasing to the eye?"I stopped to consider for a moment, and realised that after all it was just going to church. And the basic purpose of going to church every Sunday is to gather in the presence of God as a congregation and to praise and worship Him in spirit and in truth. I wasn't going to some fashion show or anything.
It then dawned on me – it's true that many people say others cannot afford to wear designer labels, and that does not make them less of a nice person or in any way reflect their personality. Or that they do not normally "judge a book by its cover," clothes being just a person's cover. If you saw someone dressed in rugged clothes stepping into church wearing jeans with a tear and a beat up t-shirt, what would you really think of that person?
"Gee, I'm sure he hasn't had a bath for a pretty long time."
"Why is he/she wearing that to church? Is that even legal?"
Sound familiar? Did you know that judging other people is a sin? It's true, and I cannot think of a single problem that has brought more heartache, dissension, disease, and destruction upon the Church than this sin! Jesus speaks clearly on this point. "Do not judge," (Matt 7:1). He said even the Father does not judge anyone, but that He has committed all judgment to the Son (John 5:22). Later, He lets it be known that He Himself does not judge. It is the words He speaks that will judge in the last day (John 12:47-48).
So the next time you're having trouble thinking of what to wear to church, think twice and wear what pleases God. Go with your conscience. Dress down because your heart should be dressed with the presence of God and the fruit of the Spirit when you go to church. What is on the outside is trivial.
Do you judge people by what they wear to church?
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- From: ieatworksleep@xanga
- Name: Nevin
- About Me: I'm a student, leader, tracker/sprinter, minister of God aaaand i enjoy blogging on xanga very much (:
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Comments (48)
@noselfdestruct@xanga - I agree.
I try to dress nicely to tell God I am putting in effort to show appreciation of Him. But I've gone in a white t and shorts on busy days before. I don't really care what people wear. If anything I'd think it's worse when people over-dress all the time to put on a show.
Funny you say this, in church the other day everyone was singing and I saw an arm go up in the air covered in tattoos as He worshiped God. I thought wow, good for him. But I more wondered how many people just in the congregation were judging him as "low class" while he was simplying praising God..
Love always
@JJPrint3rd@xanga - 100% agreed. I don't bother go to my youth group anymore because everyone just scouts who they're going to hook up with after!
I dont really know...Most people at my church dress modest. Like; A nice blouse, and a long skirt. Me...I never liked skirts...So I usually went in my nice pair of jeans and a cute blouse. Yes...I did get dirty looks. And I really wasnt very fond of my church. People they were very judgmental...Not just by your looks...but where you live or (being judge by another teen) what school you went to...
I used to go the a Pentacostal Church.
I judge people by what they wear, if they are stylish...But those judgments as petty as they are actually help me to see what's really in my own heart. Modesty is smart, I agree it is a great friend, but if a hooker were to walk in my church wearing seductive clothing, she would be welcomed and loved. To me that's more important.
p
I don't dress for other people at church, except in not being a distraction. Messy/stained/torn clothing is distracting in most contexts. I tend to dress as I would for work.
As to the modesty issue, that's a hard one to quantify, but it is important.
I'm a greeter at my church. I dress-up when I'm scheduled to greet. But if I'm not greeting, which I wasn't yesterday, I wear what I'm most comfortable in.
Yesterday, I showed up in jean shorts (the cute ones that come down to my knees), a cute t-shirt, and flip flops. I sit 4 rows from the front. And I don't care what people think :)
That happens a lot at my church: Church of Latter Day Saints of Jesus Christ
I've done it too though but I wish I never did that action but people wouldnt like to admit it but they did it at some point. Dont give me that crap that they dont its total bull and hey to each his/her own.
I'm always making judgements and inferences about people based on how they present themselves in various social situations. Those who say they don't judge others by the way they dress are not being completely honest with themselves.
I've noticed at my home church, people are dressed more casually for the Monday night service than for the Sunday services. (the type of church service is the same for all 3). Yes, I, too, will admit I'm guilty of making snap judgments from time to time.
I don't really care what people wear. I only notice in two instances. The first being if someone is wearing something really nice. One of my friends never wears dresses so when she showed up in a bright red dress, I notice and compliment her on it. The second usually involves teenagers (although adults can be guilty of this). I notice when they are wearing incredibly short dresses or skirts, and for the boys, when I see their underwear. I think Church is an inappropriate place for you underwear to make an appearance. There was this girl in church one morning with a mini skirt and t-shirt, and during worship she proceeded to lift her shirt, straighten her skirt, and thus flashing belly and butt. I wasn't the only one who noticed. A certain amount of decorum is what I expect. I'm not judging her as a person, it's just distracting. I can't spend the entire service with my eyes closed.
@Pensamientos - So true, I agree completely with this.
It pretty much sums up everything I was going to say, haha
I try not to judge, period. It's easier for me because I genuinely don't care in the first place, so it's not much of a struggle for me to not judge others.
Editing my previous thoughts: I think dressing "inappropriately" would mean that you're wearing things for the wrong reasons. For example, if you wear skimpy outfits to church to attract neighboring boys, that would be inappropriate. However, if you have a pole dancing shift right after church, and you need to work on Sunday to make a living, then you're not necessarily dressed inappropriately when you show up in slightly more revealing clothes. I don't know. It's complicated, but I guess my point is that no one can really say whether others are dressed inappropriately.
What you say about Jesus, that's why I adore Christianity.
I almost always wear jeans, t-shirts, and tennis shoes to church. And every once in a while, I might even take my shoes off. I leave my socks on if I do that though.
At my old church, I actually took my shoes and socks all the way off a few times and walked around barefoot, even going into the kitchen. No one said anything except the pastor. The pastor didn't care, he just pointed out that I was barefoot. I think one time, I kept my socks and shoes off for about half the service.
Simply put, i agree with those stating that modesty IS important. Panty hose and ties and heels and stuff are not. Please check this link.
http://www.fundable.com/groupactions/groupaction.2009-06-29.4843842774
Well, I only judge if someone comes to church in a mini skirt and tube tops. Or a guy wearing those baggy pants with boxers showing. I mean, dress modestly. This is God's house. You should dress modestly EVERDAY, just not on church. Remember, our body isn't ours. It's God's temple. And you need to respect it.Yeah, someone might be wearing a hideous outfit one day, but do I look and judge? No.
I always wear jeans, and one of my ugly print shirts. The pastors all preach wearing jeans and mostly t-shirts...meh, there's nothing to judge...ever.
I could care less what people wear.
What matters is what goes on in their hearts.
See, I could dress SO nice and conservative, and people would look at me and think I'm a fine young lady, but that doesn't mean that I'll be praising the lord hallelujiah.
No, I don't really mind what people wear to church. Granted, I have seen females come to church wearing clothes that I thought were too revealing for church (things like skirts that were way too short), and I do wish they'd cover up more, but I generally just thought, "Hey, maybe that's all they had. At least they're here."
Anyone who judges people by such nonsensical markers should keep away from Church. They're full enough of hypocrites as it is.
Nope, I'm the one who gets judged. The worst time came after staying up all night working on school work then leaving without even the most basic of prep work lest I be late. Ripped jeans, worn out jacket with ink all over, messed up hair, and a single duct taped Converse (the other had caught fire that night). Oh, and my tired old T-shirt reading "Judge not".
I got chewed out...
No, of course not. I only judge people for going to church...
I usually wear jeans and converse all star low riders to church.yeah I get some looks, but I figure the important thing is that I"m there...not really what I'm wearing...