“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” – 1 Peter 3:3-4
Bible Verses About How We Should Dress
Inner Beauty
When we think about how we should dress, we often focus on our outward appearance. However, the Bible teaches us that our inner beauty is what truly matters. It encourages us to cultivate a gentle and quiet spirit. This does not diminish the importance of our outward attire, but it reminds us that our character and how we treat others is far more beautiful in the eyes of God. Let us remember that our true worth comes from who we are on the inside, and that should reflect boldly in the way we dress and carry ourselves. We can focus on nurturing our hearts, as this influences how we present ourselves to the world.
1 Samuel 16:7
“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’” – 1 Samuel 16:7
Proverbs 31:30
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” – Proverbs 31:30
Matthew 5:16
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23
Colossians 3:23-24
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” – Colossians 3:23-24
Appropriate Attire
As Christians, how we dress can reflect our respect for ourselves and those around us. The Bible guides us to adopt attire that is appropriate and respectful. We should always strive to present ourselves in a manner that honors God and does not distract others from His presence. Dressing appropriately also encourages us to interact with others in a way that shows our appreciation for their worth. When we put on our clothing, let it be a reflection of our commitment to uphold the values we hold dear in our faith.
1 Timothy 2:9-10
“I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.” – 1 Timothy 2:9-10
Deuteronomy 22:5
“A woman must not wear men’s clothing, nor a man wear women’s clothing, for the Lord your God detests anyone who does this.” – Deuteronomy 22:5
1 Peter 3:5-6
“For this is how the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.” – 1 Peter 3:5-6
Romans 12:1
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” – Romans 12:1
Ephesians 4:22-24
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” – Ephesians 4:22-24
Reflecting Our Faith
When we embrace our faith, it influences every aspect of our lives, including how we dress. Our clothing can be a silent witness to our beliefs and values. By dressing in a way that reflects our love for God, we invite others to see His light shining through us. Let us choose outfits that tell a story about our faith, attitude, and respect for ourselves and others. Each day can bring a new opportunity to reflect our faith outwardly, encouraging those who encounter us to also seek a deeper relationship with Christ.
1 Corinthians 10:31
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31
Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” – Philippians 4:8
Colossians 3:17
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” – Colossians 3:17
Titus 2:7-8
“In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness, and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.” – Titus 2:7-8
Titus 3:1-2
“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.” – Titus 3:1-2
Clothing As a Statement
Clothing is powerful. It can make bold statements about who we are in Christ. As Christians, we have a unique opportunity to dress in a manner that communicates our identity in the Lord. The type of clothing we choose can be a testament to the values we uphold and a way to inspire others. We can utilize our attire to stand out for the right reasons, reminding ourselves and those around us of our commitment to God. Our clothing should exemplify our identity as followers of Christ, reflecting the love and grace we have received.
Romans 13:14
“Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.” – Romans 13:14
Ephesians 6:11
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” – Ephesians 6:11
Matthew 6:25
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” – Matthew 6:25
Isaiah 61:10
“I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness.” – Isaiah 61:10
2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
Clothing and Modesty
Modesty in dress is a value extolled in the Bible. It emphasizes humility and teaches us to avoid drawing attention away from God. Modesty isn’t necessarily about the amount of clothing we wear, but rather the intention behind our fashion choices. Dressing modestly allows us to honor God with our bodies and to show respect to ourselves and others. Let’s work towards a mindset of modesty in everything we wear, making sure our outfits do not hinder our witness to God’s grace and love.
1 Timothy 2:9
“Women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire.” – 1 Timothy 2:9
Proverbs 11:22
“Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.” – Proverbs 11:22
2 Peter 3:3-4
“Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, ‘Where is this “coming” he promised?’” – 2 Peter 3:3-4
Matthew 23:12
“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” – Matthew 23:12
James 4:10
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” – James 4:10
Using Dress for God’s Glory
In all we do, our ultimate aim is to glorify God. The way we present ourselves through our clothing can contribute to that purpose. By dressing thoughtfully and reflecting our faith, we can glorify God not just with our words but through our actions and presence. Each garment we put on can serve as a reminder of our commitment to honor Him. We should choose attire that encourages us and others to look towards God and His greatness. Let’s dress in style that speaks of confidence, humility, and grace, allowing others to see God through us.
1 Corinthians 6:20
“You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” – 1 Corinthians 6:20
Revelation 19:8
“Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.) – Revelation 19:8
Psalm 149:4
“For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.” – Psalm 149:4
Matthew 28:19-20
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:19-20
1 Peter 2:9
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” – 1 Peter 2:9
Final Thoughts
As we reflect on these Bible verses about how we should dress, it’s clear that our approach to clothing is not merely about trends or styles. It involves our hearts and the values we wish to convey. We, as relatives of Christ, are encouraged to focus on inner beauty and modesty, while reflecting our faith through appropriate attire. Each day provides an opportunity to honor God with our bodies and choices, letting our appearance showcase our commitment to Him. Our clothing can tell a story, inviting others to see God’s goodness through us.
So as we choose our outfits, we remember the spirit behind our clothing choices. It is a commitment to exhibit grace, strength, and humility. We can also explore more about modesty and what the Bible says by reading about Deuteronomy 22:5 and 1 Timothy 2:9-10. Let our dress be a reflection of our love for God and our desire to share that love with the world.