Leggings & Jeggings

Well it’s obvious that leggings, jeggings and related articles of clothing have been the “in-thing” now for a while among women – including Christian women. I personally haven’t heard anyone speak about it Biblically. So, here we go…

My goal for writing this is not to tell you what you should or shouldn’t wear – that is the responsibility of the Holy Spirit, your husband (if you’re married) and your parents (if you’re under their authority), so ultimately you should be in submission to your appropriate Head. My goal here is to help Christians think biblically about Christian modesty and to suggest how Biblical principles may apply to clothing choices, particularly here the wearing of leggings. I write from the perspective of a Christian pastor, teacher, husband and father of three maturing daughters. 

My prayer is that you would have a passionate zeal and commitment to please God above all things – above comfort, trends, your environment, society, the status quo and your own desires. Jesus charged us, “If any man (the same is true for woman) will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” (Luke 9:23) Following Jesus is not always easy or popular – most of the time it is not, but this is what we are called to do, and this is the way to please God. Are you willing to hear and obey the Word of God and the Voice of God in regards to what you wear? 

First, let’s start with the basic question: Is there such a thing as right and wrong dress? Biblically, yes there is, since God instructs women to wear modest apparel (1 Timothy 2:9). So, from God’s perspective there are some clothes that are modest and some that are immodest. God does care about what Christian ladies wear (and of course what men wear as well, but that is not the subject for today). He does approve of some and disapprove of others. It’s not merely a heart issue (although this is central to genuine modesty, we’ll get to that later). Do you agree? Are you willing to confess the fact that there are some articles of clothing that you should not wear – regardless of how you feel about it, your friends feel about it, or how popular it is in the world, or even among the church? I would venture to say (I would hope) that nearly 100% of Christians, who are even remotely concerned about pleasing God, would admit that there are some clothes that would never be permissible to wear (the understanding here is the wearing of clothes in public). For example, would it be acceptable for a woman to wear lingerie underwear in public (assuming that is all she is wearing under the waistline)? O.k. now let’s think…If that is not acceptable, then would it be o.k. for her to simply wear regular underwear? If not, then would it be o.k. for her to wear skin-tight biker shorts? If not, then would it be o.k. for her to wear skin-tight biker pants – or we could call them yoga pants or leggings? Again, I’m not trying to make laws that I think you should obey. What I am trying to point out is this – by what standard are you choosing what you wear? How are you determining what God considers modest or not? Is it merely based on how you feel; or what is comfortable; or what other people think is acceptable? I’m urging you to pause and think deeply about what your rules are. What are the principles that guide you? If you desire to please God, the principles you employ should be Biblical principles. So let’s think about some of those principles and see how they apply.   

#1 Women should wear clothes (and carry a spirit) that are clearly characterized by modesty.     

1 Timothy 2:9-10 “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with reverence and self control; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.”

Christian women are here instructed about what kind of clothes to wear and what kind of spirit to carry. They should wear modest apparel. The word “modest” has the idea of respectable, honorable, appropriate, suitable or moderate. The word modest in english is defined as: dressing or behaving so as to avoid impropriety (being improper) or indecency, especially to avoid attracting sexual attention. So Christian ladies should aim to wear clothes that show respect and honor to themselves and those around them. Are you dressing like a prostitute, or a “loose” woman would? Or would you more so be characterized as “godly?” Christian ladies should wear clothes suitable for a representative of Christ – the Holy One of God; clothes that are not showy or seductive; clothes that are not designed to draw attention to the lady wearing them. In your practice as a Christian woman, is honor and respect at the forefront of your heart and mind as you decide what to put on? Have you meditated on what that means?  

The spirit Christian women should “wear” is reverence and self control. The word reverent may also have the idea modest, or unassuming, mild or self-effacing. Putting these things together, the kind of spirit a Christian woman should carry is that of mildness, meekness, or not flaunting themselves; respectful of the people around them. They should have an air about them, that they are dignified and are in control of their lives and passions. Peter’s description matches Pauls: 1 Peter 3:2-4, “While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear (reverence). Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” 

What kind of spirit do you carry? Are you looking for people to notice you, on the basis of your appearance? Do you crave that people would think that you are attractive? If so, you are carrying the wrong spirit; your priorities are wrong.  

What would you say are some character traits about a woman that would bring true, deep honor to herself, her husband or to her father? It would be things like – purity, wisdom, sobriety, joy, peace, love, diligence, prudence, etc. None of those really meaningful traits of a “wise woman” have anything to do with her clothes or appearance, but are rather character traits. She is a spiritual woman, not a carnal, fleshly woman. “Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.” (Proverbs 31:31) What is your goal – Is it to bring attention to Jesus through your sweet, gentle, unassuming spirit and quietly doing good works in His name? Or is it to bring attention to yourself through striving to be physically attractive and presenting or flaunting your attractive flesh to others?

#2 We should be striving for excellence in every area of our lives. 

1 Corinthians 6:12 “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.”

All things are lawful – True Christianity is not following a set of rigid rules. Man-made rules is one of the things that Jesus came to deliver us from. If there is a doctrine or practice that is not clearly defined in Scripture then we are to allow for liberty in our decisions. However, Paul here is teaching that although all things not condemned specifically in Scripture are lawful, all things are not expedient: advantageous or profitable. Not all acceptable practices are the best practices. Not all lifestyles lead us to our desired goal – which is Christ-likeness, holiness. Scripture doesn’t explicitly condemn drinking Coca-Cola, but is it advantageous to drink, especially regularly? The answer is, “No,” which should lead us to the logical conclusion that if excellence in health is your goal, then it is not a good choice. So, there may be some clothes in and of themselves that may not necessarily be sinful, but are they the best choice, the wisest choice? If you desire to be a mature, growing Christian – a vessel of honor – you are being called to more than just not crossing over the line into sin. You are being called to stay far away from the line. “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh…” (Galatians 5:13) Also, 1 Thessalonians 5:21-23, “Prove (examine, test) all things; hold fast that which is good (kalos – beautiful, fine). Abstain (keep away) from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” And, Romans 13:14 “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.”

Whatever you would determine is definitely immodest for you to wear (or what is determined for you by your appropriate Head), you should not go one step safer and make that your standard for what you wear, you should be heading at least several steps in the more conservative, modest direction.

So what is your goal in your dress choices? In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor (2 Timothy 2:20-21). Are you striving to be “a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use” or a vessel to dishonor, one that is used for something, but nothing special in comparison to the excellent vessels? If you wear leggings or approve of others wearing them – can you honestly say that they are an excellent choice for women striving to be modest, reverential, non-seductive, and self-effacing in appearance?  

#3 Do your dress choices conflict with what you truly believe is righteous?

1 Corinthians 6:12 “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.”

As Christians, we should only be under the control of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). If there is anything else controlling our behavior, then that thing has become sinful to you. If you have an addiction to video games, social media, or to a particular person, those things that are controlling you may not be sinful in and of themselves, but to you they are sinful because they are controlling your life. What is controlling your decisions for what you wear? Is the controlling factor whether you “look good” or not? Is it the current trend? Are you being controlled by comfort, the status quo, or what is acceptable to your friends or community? 

Romans 14:20-23 “Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” In other words: if you don’t have a clear conscience about it, then it is wrong for you to partake of that practice. Just because another Christian wears it, doesn’t mean it is ok for you to. Your Pastor’s wife may wear it; the most godly woman you know may be wearing it, but that should not be your standard. Is it possible that these women could be wrong? Is it possible God is not pleased with the choices they are making? And even if God does approve of it for them, that is not to be the standard for your wardrobe. If you put some clothes on, and there is an inner voice saying to you, “This is not the best option.” Then don’t do it. Don’t wear it. 

I encourage you, next time you’re about to put something on, or you’re trying something on at the store. Pray a simple, but sincere prayer like this, “Father, I know you love me and I can rest assured that ultimately the only attention I need is from you. Is this piece of clothing acceptable to you? Reveal to me the purpose for why I would choose to wear this – Is it so others will notice my body or be drawn to Jesus in me.” 

#4 Is your dress causing a brother to stumble? 

1 Corinthians 8:13 “Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.”

1 Corinthians 10:23-24 “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.”

Men are sexually stimulated visually – very much so. This is demonstrated all through Scripture – David saw bathsheba washing herself; Job 31:1 “I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?” “Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.” (Proverbs 6:25); Jesus said, “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28) 

Men know this naturally, women for the most part I don’t think realize it as much. There doesn’t have to be any kind of emotional attachment whatsoever involved. If the right body parts advertise themselves in the right way it is a temptation for men to think the wrong things. Men’s eyes are drawn to a woman’s body as gravity pulls downward. God created women to be beautiful and attractive, and he created men to be attracted to them, so it is on purpose; and within the sanction of marriage it is an awesome and blessed experience. However, we are a fallen race, and tend to do things in inappropriate ways, and at inappropriate times, which means that we need to be on our guard against doing anything that would fuel the fires.  

Ladies also need to understand that in our particular generation, male minds are so bombarded with sexual perversion through the internet and media’s use of pornography. There is an almost absolute saturation of our culture with sexual perversion. It may depend somewhat on your particular society, but its likely that many of the men that you know are probably regularly watching pornography. That means that their heads are already in the gutter. If men are regularly conditioning their mind to think sexually about other women, they are going to do the same with you. Do you want to encourage them to do so, or discourage them from doing so? Your choice of dress will determine that (not whether they choose to lust or not, but rather that your choice of dress will determine whether you are encouraging them to lust or not).  

Men are ultimately responsible for their eyes and thoughts. And thank God, that with the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit, the strengthening of accountability, and for the benefits of marriage, men have the ability, with God’s help, to avoid the temptation and sin of sexual lust. Notwithstanding, Paul makes it clear, “All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.” There was disagreement in Paul’s time as to whether some meats should be eaten by Christians or not because there was meat that was being sold in the market that had been offered in sacrifice to idols. There was also the consideration of the Mosaic law that forbade the eating of certain meats under the old covenant. But the point is that there were some things that Paul simply would not eat (even though he didn’t have a conviction against it) because of his consideration of other brethren. It was more important that Paul serve the brethren and protect their conscience, than for him to enjoy his liberty. 

So are you willing to exercise humility and Christian love, to tailor your outfits so as to do everything in your power to discourage another brother from looking at you with lust in his heart? If you are not willing to do this, and your attitude is, “Men just need to get their minds out of the gutter.” Then you are sinning. They are responsible for their minds; but just as much- you are responsible for your appearance. This is like husbands talking rough to their wives and saying, “You just need to toughen up girl and let it go.” that would be sinful for a husband to not be considerate and gentle with his wife, for her sake. 

However, if your heart is to please God and to serve your brother, I encourage you to ask at least three mature, godly, spiritually minded Christian men that you know and trust (may be a pastor, husband, brother, or anyone) and ask them if your dress would at all be fall into the category of attracting or suggesting sexual attention. Some general considerations would be – the more skin that is showing the more likely it is seductive; the tighter it is the more likely it is seductive (which you cannot be more tight than most leggings); the more your body parts are clearly defined through your clothes the more seductive it is. The fact that they are called “leggings” indicates that it’s basically your legs that are showing, with a different color over them.

“Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart.” Yes, men do look on the outward appearance, which is why you have the responsibility to accommodate your brother, in genuine Christian love, so as to discourage them from utilizing your body to fulfill their sinful lusts. 

#5 The Special Call for Modesty in the Assembling of God’s Church.

 Every verse in the Bible has a specific context, and that context is of utmost importance in determining the right interpretation and proper application of the passage. We must emphasize what God emphasizes, in the context that God emphasizes them, while deemphasizing the things God does not emphasize, in the contexts God does not emphasize them. For example: in the context of marriage, husbands are commanded to love their wives, whereas wives are commanded to respect their husbands. Of course, husbands should respect their wives, and wives should love their husbands. But, there is a reason (a divinely wise reason) why God emphasized the particular commands to the particular people in this particular circumstance. We don’t even really need to know why (although I believe there are always good reasons for why God commands what He does, to whom He does), we just need to make sure that we focus on doing what He says with the emphasis in which He says to do it. 

It just so happens that the premier verses relating to women, modesty and clothing are in the specific context of how to behave in the local, gathered Church. It’s almost to say, “Christian women- daughters of God- above all things, when you come to the gathering of the church, make sure above all things that you are not dressing or presenting yourself in a way that is going to be a hindrance to the assembly. Jesus is supposed to get all of the attention. DO NOT come in a way that will avert the attention of others (especially men), away from Jesus to you.” Yes, every believer is responsible for all of the commands of God when they gather with the church, however, there is a definitively special weight of importance given to women about their appearance as they come to worship. 

Why do you think that above all things, when God gives specific instructions for women, how to behave in church, He centers His instructions directly on modesty? To me it seems that God knows that this is an area, or perhaps the area, in which the greatest weakness lies – women desire to be attractive, and especially when many people are gathered together, there is the felt-need to be accepted and loved. If there is any place that women feel the need to be “worthy” it would be in the assembly of God’s people. Add to this that the Devil knows that the church gathering is prime time for his scheming and strategizing so as to make as much of a distraction as possible. And as a result there is the temptation to dress inappropriately, or immodestly. Church of all places is not the place for showing off. Christian women should take this command very, very seriously. 

It is very disheartening to me when I see women coming into Church obviously wearing seductive clothes. More men than you think do not like it- even the men who struggle with sexual lust in their thinking. Godly men are coming to church, hoping to escape the world along with its lusts, and yet they have to be on guard, in battle mode, even while attempting to worship God in His own house. This ought not to be. If there in one place where there ought to be no question at all from anyone about whether you are dressed immodestly, it is in the house of God. Dear sister, are you sure that you are giving the proper emphasis to this command in your life in regards to how you dress for church? 

I hope these five principles have been helpful to you. Perhaps this was more of a meditation on modesty in general, but I hope you are able to apply these things in regards to leggings. My personal opinion is that pretty much all leggings, worn solo under the waist, are at best a compromise of excellence in Christian modesty for women, and at worst sinful and seductive. You are not obligated to agree with my opinions, but I hope you have considered about this subject prayerfully and thoughtfully and are able to articulate with a clear conscience how you are in agreement with God and the principles He has laid out in His Word. May Jesus be pleased with all his people, and may we be a holy church, without spot, without wrinkle or any such blemish.