Is Wearing Dresses Only, Legalistic?
Is Wearing Dresses Only, Legalistic?
by Mrs. Traci Knoppe
I find it odd, that people would claim ‘legalism’ when Christians are obeying the word of God. Perhaps this is because the true definition of legalism isn’t clear. Legalism is defined by Webster as: “the doctrine of salvation by good works.” So if one wears only dresses, with the purpose of attaining salvation, then yes, that is legalistic.
If, however, one realizes that it is through grace only that we are saved, and wearing dresses is merely a will to live a life pleasing to God, then no - that is not legalism. Clearly you will not be able to tell just by looking at someone if they are being legalistic, for it is the attitude of their heart that determines the motive for their actions.
I believe there is another situation that many claim is legalistic, but is not, in the true definition: those who say that wearing dresses only is what God’s word says, no questions asked and that everyone should wear them. They don’t take this view as a works based faith, but in their sincere belief in taking the scriptures literally, without question, and are willing to take anyone to task who doesn’t agree with their interpretation. While I do not agree that no types of pants should ever be worn by a woman, I do lean more toward the dresses only stance. However, it is with love, and in the spirit of an older Titus 2 woman, that I share my convictions and interpretations with others. Not to judge or criticize. I think it’s the lack of love in which these convictions and beliefs are shared by others that bring about such controversy. Of course too, conviction from the Holy Spirit can make one uncomfortable and some people will lash out in anger when convicted.
Ephesians 2:9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast.”
The above verse from Ephesians clearly states that we can not work our way to heaven. So then, where does obedience to God’s word fit into what we wear, what we do and how we live? The book of Romans goes into great detail in explaining the law, faith and grace.
[Note: the law is defined as God's word as a whole, not just Old Testament laws or just the 10 Commandments, but also the teachings of Christ and the apostles - in other words, the whole Bible is the law of God.]
Romans 2:13 “For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.”
Don’t panic, this verse is not saying works will make you righteous, read on below:
Romans 3:20 “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law, rather through the law we become conscious of sin.”
So the purpose of the law (read: God’s word) is to teach us what God considers as sin. So we will know how He wants us to live a life that is pleasing to Him.
Romans: 3:28 “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.”
The above verse again confirms that our salvation is not by what we do, but from our faith in God and His grace. But read on in the next verse, as this is key to my point:
Romans 3:31 “Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.”
There you have it! Even though we are saved by faith, we still are to live according to the word of God. It is not legalism to obey God’s word, to interpret the scripture to mean wearing dresses only, or to homeschool or whatever. It is one’s attempt to live a life pleasing to God.
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Mrs. Traci Knoppe lives near St. Louis, Missouri with her husband Mark, six children, one son-in-law and four Shih Tzus. Aside from her life as wife and mother, she owns a web design company that she runs from her home. Traci also co-leads the Titus 2 Christian HomeKeeper ministry through which she mentors women and does public speaking. Traci has written numerous articles on the subject of parenting, homekeeping, marriage and the Christian faith. Traci and Mark also actively serve in their church.
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Written by Traci Knoppe ©: Aside from her roles as wife, mother of six, mother-in-law and grandmother, Traci is a Christian parenting instructor, Sunday school teacher, and business owner.
Nice article, Traci. And timely. I’ve been thinking about this very topic lately.
Thanks Susan. This is actually an article I wrote a few years ago that I just now got copied from my old Titus 2 Ministries site to here.
I read your article… I have been struggling VERY much in this area lately. I have been wearing dresses only for over a year now. I have three girls and a boy, and modesty is so important to me, to show the girls and for me personally as well. But I just cannot adopt the idea of dresses only as a rule. I am not talking about picking corn and cutting grass either, of course, I have worn pants doing these things, but I am talking about in general, going anywhere (except Sunday morning church… that is dresses only, always). Having three girls with four women in a family wearing dresses… we stand out. People stare. I am tired of it. We homeschool and that is differant enough these days, we have been rejected by Christian friends in our church for homeschooling, we are looked down on. By my best friend from the same church, she completely rejected me and my friendship because of us wearing dresses saying I “worry about silly things like what I and everyone wears”. It’s been a month and I am recovering, but now my mama, who is my best friend has started voiceing concerns regularly about the girls being self consience around other kids because other kids have treated them differantly (well, avoided them, actually) simply because they wore dresses. If pants arn’t “wrong” and can be modest, then why should I continue down this path that has left me with no peace? Thank you, Laura
Hi Laura
I hope you have read the other articles on my site, specifically True Modesty Begins Within and Sin, Obedience and Conviction (which I just realized I have not moved over to the either this site nor the T2CHK site!).
If *God* is convicting you to wear dresses only - then do it. If Satan is messing with you about your conviction - whether through friends, family, etc… - then stick to your guns and do what God has told you. Which isn\’t always easy or pleasant, but obedience is what we must do.
However, if *God* did not direct you to wear only dresses, but you perhaps were pursuaded by someone else\’s thoughts, testimony and/or opinions on this subject, then wear pants! There are some very modest pants and some very immodest dresses.
The whole idea of modest dress is to *not* draw attention to yourself.
Hon, I can\’t stress this enough: growing and maturing in Christ is not about a list of do\’s and don\’ts; it\’s about loving people. Sometimes, the loving thing to do for someone may mean you give up a freedom you may have in Christ, so you will avoid causing them to stumble in their walk. The Word says, \”Everything is permissible, but everything is not beneficial.\” 1 Corinthians 6:12
I do not believe that wearing pants is a sin for everyone. It\’s only a sin if God has told you not to wear pants, and you do it anyway. Romans 14:23 says \”But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.\” If you have doubts about wearing pants, dresses or the color blue, or eating meatloaf of Tuesdays (being a little silly here, but the point is general and broad and includes any and all areas of your life), then if you continue to do these things with doubts about whether or not you should, then it would be sin for *you* (not everyone, but you who has doubts or were told by God to do otherwise). If this is the case for you, then stop doing them and seek God for what he would have you do. Of course, ask your husband as to what he would have you do: and then do what your husband decides you should do. If your husband doesn\’t care, then do what God tells you.
I\’ll tell you how I handle the dresses issue: since I\’m in ministry (online and in my church), I am an example and I believe held to a higher accountability because of that. People are watching and looking to me for guidance. So most of the time I wear dresses. Do I feel I\’m sinning if I don\’t - absolutely not! I have freedom in Christ to wear pants - perhaps not hip huggers or skimpy shorts! - but modest slacks that aren\’t \”painted on\” are certainly fine for many occasions. My husband doesn\’t have a problem with it, so therefore I can exercise that freedom without guilt or sin on my part. However, I know for a fact that there are men within my church (and I\’m quite sure at Walmart, the grocery store, etc….) that are struggling with pornography. Now, it would not be very loving of me to do something that could very well tempt these men to sin. As my brothers in Christ, I love them enough to wear a dress to church. Or if I wear pants, to make sure that they are very modest.
See what I mean. It\’s all about love. Hopefully I\’ve helped ease your mind on this topic, and anyone else who happens to read this.
God bless you!