What Shall We Wear?

I had heard a lot about a reform of dress and even made some efforts to bring something from the experience I had gained into my life. I even decided in my heart that my future wife would dress in such-and-such a way, and otherwise I would not even pay attention to her.

The worldly environment smeared all my ideas like butter on bread. I read one thing, but around me and even in the church I saw something entirely different. When I tried among the brethren to express protest against their outward appearance, I was called a fanatic who was very old-fashioned and understood nothing. But I believed that God has a special plan for His people and desires through this to be glorified and to test our faithfulness to the light received.

But then she appeared. I did not at once let her into the depths of my heart. I was especially troubled by the fact that at times her outward appearance did not at all correspond to what the Lord expects of us. But in other matters she turned out to be very open and energetic. At first I was charmed, and then I fell in love with this wonder. Having understood that this little person met many of my expectations, I fully opened my heart to her and decided not to attach special importance to her manner of dress.

I noticed that in hot weather, when she wore light dresses, the exposed parts of her body gave me a special aesthetic pleasure and evoked ambiguous thoughts with which I had to struggle constantly. But for fear of losing her I decided not to raise this topic, since I knew that my views could destroy our relationship.

Fortunately, summer in our region was not so long, and she had to dress more warmly so as not to freeze for the sake of fashion.

For our wedding she had ordered a decent white dress that completely covered what ought to be covered. And this calmed me, because it seemed the person understood the principles of dress reform.

When our family was formed and I received forever the one for whom I had dreamed and prayed, I noticed that elements of clothing began to be added to our wardrobe from time to time that were very provocative and did not at all correspond to what had been revealed to me. And at times I felt ashamed of my wife when she went out with me among people wearing very short skirts and blouses. When she came into our bedroom in such attire, I rejoiced in my heart at the beauty of her body; but when other men admired it, I was very saddened to catch their lustful glances.

I realized that something needed to be done; otherwise I would do something very bad. I decided to pray for wisdom from above and began to ask for the power of the Holy Spirit for a serious conversation. Then I undertook a fast and asked during that time for a special Presence of God at our family council. I very much wanted everything in our union to be right—not as I understood it, but as God wants it.

On the third day of the fast, it dawned on me that I must not establish a dictatorship in the home, but, after expressing my opinion and presenting to my wife evidence from the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy, allow her to decide for herself what to do with the light received.

My beloved understood that I was undergoing some inner struggle and did not ask me unnecessary questions, carefully observing my wrestlings and trying not to hinder me in solving my tasks. And when I invited her to an important conversation, I noticed that she was very worried, which she did not hide.

We prayed together, and I began carefully to voice my feelings and thoughts regarding appearance in my family, watching the expression on my wife’s face and giving her the opportunity to say what she thought about it.

Since I had studied this question, it was not difficult for me to find places in the Bible and the Testimonies that speak of God’s will on this matter.

To my surprise, she did not interrupt me but listened very attentively to my arguments and carefully read what I gave her. I did not set an ultimatum, but spoke very tenderly of my love for her and of the fact that I would not want to lose her because of embitterment in this matter.

I promised her that I would accept any decision of hers and would love her further no matter what, but at the same time I would have my firm position and see to it that my clothing corresponded to God’s standards.

I also explained that all those parts of her body which I so like to touch when no one sees should not be displayed to outsiders.

She had long since accepted the fact that I did not visit public beaches and, for my sake, denied herself this pleasure, not understanding what was wrong about it. For her it was very simple, without any embarrassment, to bare her body down to a swimsuit. And I explained to her that strings and little rags are not clothing in my eyes nor in God’s. I also expressed my opinion that in certain clothing my wife very much resembled a man or a harlot, which did not suit her at all.

Although I tried to be very restrained and tactful in my presentation, I often caught myself that my tone was rising to a high degree.

In my thoughts I constantly turned to Jesus, that He would give me humility and His wisdom in presenting all that had been revealed to me.

When I finished speaking, I began to wait for what my wife would say. She sat quietly looking at her hands and said nothing. I suggested we pray, and we knelt. She did not say anything more, but said she would think about the matter and thanked me for my effort and care.

Since it was already evening, before going to bed I decided to go out alone for a walk and talk with Jesus about everything I had experienced during that time. I understood that in our family we had come to some deep crisis that could turn into who knows what. But I was also sure that I needed to do something about it, and I could no longer remain silent, seeing a direct violation of God’s principles in my own home. I needed Jesus very much, and walking and praying I asked for wisdom from above, so as not to take the path of a fanatical or dictatorial spirit. The Lord calmed me in His Love and gave peace to my heart.

When I came home, I saw a strange picture. My wife was sitting with large scissors in her hands before a pile of cut-up swimsuits and blouses, and, humming familiar psalms under her breath, was eyeing the next batch of her clothing that awaited the same fate. I froze in amazement. And with a cheerful voice she let me know that she could not sell these things or give them to other people, since they could become a snare for weak souls; therefore she decided to act after the example of the Ephesians who, having understood the perniciousness of their evil deeds, desired to burn everything that was abominable to God (Acts 19:18–20).

I embraced my dear wife and thanked God for such a wonderful gift.

I was ready for anything, but such experiences impressed me greatly with the depth and simplicity of such quick decisions, although I had braced myself for many years of battles, not knowing what would come of it.

Rejoicing at what was happening, I also decided to review my things and found old athletic briefs and a pair of shorts that I did not intend to wear but for some reason kept. I solemnly brought this clothing to a farewell ceremony and, to the merry sound of scissors, bid them farewell forever.

1. Please read Prov. 7:10; Matt. 6:28–33; Eccl. 9:8; 1 Pet. 3:3–5; Gen. 3:21; Exod. 19:10; 20:26; 28:2; Lev. 10:6; 19:19; Num. 15:38; Deut. 22:5, 11; Isa. 47:2–3; Ezek. 28:13; Zech. 3:3–4; Luke 12:22–23; Rev. 16:15 in light of this lesson.

2. What did you understand from this topic?

3. What other Bible verses came to your memory?

4. Does Heaven pay attention to our clothing and our manner of dress?

5. Why does Jesus tell the Laodiceans that they are naked and counsel them to cover the shame of their nakedness? Rev. 3:17–18.

6. Have you heard anything about the Reform of Dress? For what purpose did God give it to His people?

7. Will God save His people through righteousness by clothing?

8. If salvation is not given by clothing, then what difference does it make how it looks?

9. Can one discern a person’s occupation by their clothing?

10. Can Satan make fashionable and popular what is abominable in God’s eyes? If so, whom should we obey?

11. Can clothing and manner of dress say something about a person’s character?

12. Should we force other people to adhere to your understanding of modesty in clothing?

13. If the question of clothing is not a criterion for admission into church fellowship, should we hold discussions about it?

14. Will it be right to establish in one’s family certain standards in clothing according to God’s light?

15. Is the question of clothing one of the tests for God’s people?