Glass Street church of Christ

site last modified
February 26, 2008

Clothing Doesn't Matter?

Joe R. Price

The outcry over Britain’s Prince Harry wearing a Nazi uniform to a costume party has been loud and boisterous. No doubt the young prince has been reminded of the life and death struggle for freedom his countrymen and the world fought and prevailed in 60 years ago. The stench of millions of innocent people murdered in the name of racial
purity and supremacy continues to be repugnant in the nostrils of descent people everywhere (a lesson even 20 year-old princes can learn).

There are other lessons to be learned as we observe this incident from across the pond. One is the utter failure of the rationale that says clothing is of no consequence and says nothing about the sensibilities of the person. Why all the fuss over Harry’s swastika if clothing doesn’t matter? The truth is that what we wear does say something about who we are and what attitudes and values we hold. For instance, clothing can reflect respect and honor or disgrace (Luke 15:22; Proverbs 7:10). What does your clothing say about you?

Some brethren are heard to say in defense of immodest clothing that regardless of what they wear, their mind remains pure. The responsibility, they say, falls only upon the person who looks with lust upon their exposed bodies (Matthew 5:28; 1 John 2:16). Yes, each person must “make a covenant with (his) eyes” not to look lustfully upon
another (Job 31:1). But, this does not relieve each person of the responsibility to dress modestly, thereby professing godliness (1 Timothy 2:9-10). Clothing says something about us. It either supports a profession of godliness or damages it. If not, then why all the fuss over Harry?

What we wear (or do not wear) matters to God. It ought to matter to us (1 Peter 3:3-5).