Who Wears the Pants?
A look at current fashion trends in the light of the Bible
DMD

Many well-meaning Christians soak up the philosophies, fashions and trends of the world without a second thought as to whether they are biblically or morally right or wrong.  To many it may seem absurd that one should even question the morality of such a common item of clothing as pants or slacks on women.  However, one needs only to look into the Word of God to find God's mind on the matter.

PANTS: Masculine or Feminine?

While the issue of pants on women may tend to raise some level of controversy today, it did not years ago.  In fact, earlier this century pants were very rarely seen on women, if at all.  Pants were always generally considered the apparel of men, and dresses or skirts were always seen as the apparel of women.  The reasons for this will be seen later. To evidence this, one needs only to look at old pictures or movies to see the change in the style of clothing on women.  Check out your public restroom or toilet doors and you will notice that pants and dresses distinguish men from women. 

What has led to a change in this fashion?  While fashion has always changed through time, this generation has seen a change in certain values which were once held by society as a whole.  This change can be justly attributed to the upsurge of the feminist movement.  With this movement also came the push for the ‘career woman,’ increased demands for child care, and a general abandonment of the accepted role models for men and women.

These role models and values which prevailed years ago were set to a large degree by the Christian influence which so greatly affected much of our heritage.  Now, however, our heritage is waning, and the values which we once held true are quickly languishing.

This is most particularly evident in looking at roles and the distinction of the sexes.  There is little doubt that from the Biblical record that God's design necessitates role distinction between men and women. This distinction was to be evident in clothing as Deuteronomy 22:5 points out, “The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are an abomination unto the Lord thy God.”   Some, no doubt, would object to this being Old Testament law and not appropriate for us in the New Testament.  Ask the same people whether or not it is right for a man to wear women's clothing and the answer will suffice.

As society moves further and further away from God's righteous standard, human values change to accommodate man's sinful desires.  It is now commonplace to see feminine jewellery (such as earrings)  on men and masculine appearances such as pants and short hair on women.  While churches and even society may have shunned such behaviour years ago, it is now the accepted trend.

To the feminist, the thought of pre-defined roles for men or women is repulsive.  It is this feminist, anti-God, anti-Bible philosophy which has slowly permeated our society causing many to reject the “moralism” which was once widely accepted by our culture at large.

God, however, does not change.  God is still for sex distinction and any behaviour, clothing or attitudes which blur that distinction is an abomination to God.  Pants, no doubt, are masculine attire which were designed for men for a particular reason which will now be discussed.

PANTS: Modest apparel?

In order to answer this question, it is helpful to understand the basic differences between men and women.  The Lord Jesus said, “whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matt. 5:28).  Why did our Lord single out men?  Because men have a much greater capacity to lust after the woman's body than the woman does for the man's body.  Men are far more prone lust with their eyes, while women are for more prone to lust with their emotions.  This is why the Bible so clearly commands that “women adorn themselves in modest apparel,” (I Tim. 2:9) and to be “discreet” and “chaste” (Tit. 2:5).  No such commands are given to men.

Pants plainly outline a woman’s figure, hugging her hips, buttocks and legs.  A dress or skirt has no such effect which is why they have for many years been considered the appropriate attire for ladies.

Many sincere, honest mothers would not let their daughters go out dressed in such skimpy, tight-fitting clothing if they knew the effect it had on men.  Many good Christian teenagers would soon change their dressing habits if they knew how men looked upon them.  This point need not be laboured for men, for men well know the effect that a woman's clothing can have on them.  However, it is a sad fact that many girls are never taught how to dress or behave with modesty and chastity.

Morality has so rapidly declined in the last generation that to some it may seem unreasonable to question the modesty of pants.  After all, considering the way that many women dress today, would it not be a step towards modesty if they were to wear pants?  Surely shorts, mini-skirts and other such fashions are far more immodest than pants!   Why then, should we consider the morality of slacks? 

The truth of the matter is, we are not to judge the validity of anything in the light of worldly trends.  Pants may be more modest than a mini-skirt, but that does not make them right.  As the day grows darker, God's people ought to shine brighter.  We are those who live “in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world,” (Phil. 2:15).  Compared to the world, we ought to be a whole lot different.  As the words of John R. Rice in his hymn so aptly describes,  “Misunderstood because we're oft peculiar....” 

If God's people are not separated, they are not fit for the Master's use and will have little positive influence in the world.

Consider then, this fashion.  Consider it in the light of sex distinction.  Do pants allow for adequate distinction between men and women?  Consider also this fashion in the light of modest apparel. Do pants indecently expose a woman's figure? Honest, sincere Christians who love God more than the world's acceptance will hopefully conclude that such fashions are in contradiction to God's design laid out in the Bible and are therefore unfit for godly Christian women who are proud of the feminine role that God has designed for them.

Article from:
http://www.bethanybaptist.org.au/pants.htm

Used with permission.
The name of the author has been abbreviated for his personal safety as he is now an unsafe country.