How to Have a Christ Centered Closet
What TV shows do you watch? What food do you eat? Do you use your hands when you talk? Do you wear makeup? Do you raise your hand in class? Are you a doodler?
You may not realize it, but the answers to these questions give insight into who you are. Every choice you make hints at your identity.
One of the most obvious ways we express ourselves is through our clothes. Consider your wardrobe: if you have a job, you might have a uniform hanging in your closet. Maybe you have tons of youth group T-shirts smashed into your dresser—full of church memories. You might have a sports jersey or a prom dress or none of the above.
While the outfits gracing your closet don't define you, they give people clues about how you see yourself. In many ways, clothes can be a window into your heart!
As Christians, we should always want our decisions to reflect a deep love for Jesus Christ and others. Therefore, just like every other decision we make, we should choose clothing that represents our Savior best.
Think that sounds extreme? Consider 1 Corinthians 10:31. It says, "Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." That's right—even the food we eat can glorify God's kingdom! Our whole lives center around how to love God and others better. Clothing is a personal choice that gives us one more opportunity to communicate a clear path to Jesus.
So how do we decide what clothes are going to accomplish this mission?
Notice I didn't ask, "What is the list of inappropriate clothes to avoid?" I also didn't say, "How can we make sure boys don't think we are cute?" Surprisingly, I'm not going to name specifics, and I'm not going to make this issue about boys. The reality is that your clothes reflect your heart, mind, and relationship with Christ.
Here are a few things to consider as you buy clothes and decide how to wear them:
1) ASK YOURSELF, WHY IS THIS THE OUTFIT I WANT TO BUY/WEAR TODAY?
Is it to attract attention to your body? Or think of it this way: Will people notice my body before noticing my beauty? When trying to gain attention based on your body, you tie your worth to your skin and attractiveness. Show others your first love is Christ, and allow them to enjoy your heart!
2) CONSIDER HOW MUCH TIME YOU ARE TAKING TO GET READY EACH DAY.
Do you spend as much time in the Word as you do in the mirror? If you prepare your outfit more than your heart to seek the Lord in the morning, this probably indicates that your outward appearance is an idol.
3) FOCUS ON WHAT GOD COMMANDS US TO DRESS OURSELVES WITH SPECIFICALLY.
Colossians 3:12 says, "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience." How well are you expressing these attributes? Changing shirts is easier than changing attitudes. Luckily, the Holy Spirit guides us to live a holy, compassionate, and kind life like Christ. Focusing on the truths of Scripture helps morph our wardrobe into worship.
4) DOES THIS CLOTHING CHOICE FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES SET BY MY AUTHORITY FIGURES?
Odds are your parents, church camp leaders, and school leadership have rules on what to wear and not to wear. Scripture is pretty clear on obeying our parents and authorities (Eph. 6:1–2). So let's honor them by respecting their rules and dress codes—which they make with your best interest at heart!
The Lord doesn't ask believers to dress in potato sacks to our ankles. We have the freedom to wear makeup. Plus, it's not a bad idea to run a brush through our hair now and then. (Though John the Baptist didn't, and he's got an excellent reputation!)
Along with every other issue in Scripture, what you wear reveals your heart. Don't trick yourself into making excuses for wearing things that don't flatter your heart. Instead, decide what you wear based on your relationship with Christ. As a result, you will have a Christ-centered closet!
MEET THE AUTHOR
Sydney is a Bible enthusiast and minister who loves her husband and kids. She has served as a minister in both youth and kids ministry for almost a decade, and currently acts as a Kindergarten teacher at a private Christian school. She values laughter, long talks over a good cup of coffee (bonus points for a donut on the side!), and exploring the exciting places God created all over the world!