"Just Why Can't I Wear Slacks?!"
Testimony/Article
By: Lavenia Boswell
Grasping a Biblical understanding of this was one of the most difficult for me. I LOVED wearing slacks. They gave me freedom of movement without worrying about modesty. They were modest . . . weren�t they?
Surely they couldn�t really be "mens" clothing . . . because every female I knew wore them. So, what was the big deal (Bible doctrine-wise) about women and slacks?
I soon discovered that during my many years of living backslidden out of the Lord's will, I lost all too many of the Godly convictions I had at one time held so strongly to as a young woman.
I began seeking Jesus to restore to me what Satan had stolen, and also dared to ask Him to remold me into the Christian daughter I should be. Not long after that, while kneeling in prayer, my Heavenly Father told me to give Him my heart, not to worry over what he would take from me or allow me to keep, just give Him my heart. He would prune me according to His will.
The Lord of Glory is still busy clipping and snipping away!
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I know we're surely blessed when God is busy in our lives showing & revealing His Word and will, that we may walk closer and more pleasing to Him, but it doesn't make it easy. Our Father chooses His timing according to our individual spiritual growth to show us more of His PERFECT will.
We are like the Israelites. How? They were in His PERMISSIVE will regarding divorce, because they could not endure stronger Truth. God's PERFECT will was that divorce should not be. (This can be very hard, and Thank God for His grace and forgiveness!)
We sadly spend most of our life either "out" of His will or in His "permissive" will, rather than in His Perfect will. He knows we can't handle too much perfection at one time!
The "Pants Issue" was a real hard one for me when I was first saved at 20. I lived in pants, always had, and could not see how my feminine slacks (bought in the "Ladies" section), if not too snug could possibly be called "manly clothing". Because the other ladies at church said it was taboo, I sort'a thought I kind'a felt convicted - so I put them away. All the time feeling I was being deprived of something wonderful.
It wasn't until several years ago that it suddenly became clear the why's and wherefore's of why I, as God's Blood-Bought daughter, shouldn't wear pants (as I understand things). God opened my mind, heart and spirit to understand many things about this issue I just couldn't see before.
Our Father-God began revealing to me why he hates sexual boundaries to be crossed (as they so blatantly are today) in dress, hairstyle, speech, action, outwardly or privately.
It is confusion and a sin against Nature, God and man.
Basically put, it is a blatant statement of rebellion against God. How? By flaunting hatred (or ignorance) of His word and His will. He calls it what it is: an ABOMINATION in His eyes! Though most do not recognize it as such.
The oldest Scripture on the topic says (Deut 22:5) "The woman shall not wear that which pertainethunto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God."(KJV)
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For hundreds and hundreds of years men wore pants and women wore dresses. For God-fearing folks it seems to have begun with God ordering Priests to make themselves breeches to wear under their robes so they wouldn't expose their nakedness while ministering in the temple and climbing steps.
(Exod 28:42-43) And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach: 43 And they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they come in unto the tabernacle of the congregation, or when they come near unto the altar to minister in the holy place; that they bear not iniquity, and die: it shall be a statute for ever unto him and his seed after him. (KJV)
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As men began to lay aside their robes (in some cultures)the pants were felt by most to be adequate, since they were not exposed. However, Godly women never (in all of history!) wore such outer garments, as they were not modest, then nor are they modest now.
All through the years I'd heard preachers say pants on women were immodest. Well, I just wasn't seeing it. Immodest? How?
Not being a man I guess I tend to look at women's faces more than my eyes being drawn to any area below the neck, unless they are wearing clothing, or the lack of, to show off or expose these areas.
Slacks and jeans all form a "v" in the front at the junction of our legs. Now, if shown a picture of the front of a woman in a dress, another in slacks guess where you're eyes will most likely fall first when looking at the woman in slacks? It's because of that "V" being at the center. Kind�a like a bullseye on a target. For many men this can cause lustful thoughts, especially if the lady has a nice figure.
That's just the front!
"Men are strongly drawn to look at the female form. And, God made them easily aroused by what their eyes see. So, Christian men always have a battle going on. Pants show the length of the legs, the shape of the abdomen, the outline of the hips, the shape and contour of the buttocks, the female's "v" area, etc.
Look at the same two ladies from the rear. If the lady in slacks bends over, well, what do you see now? Be honest!
Our poor men, they are bombarded on all sides by ladies revealing the shape of their intimate areas. Only a husband or doctor should see such things.
Is that the view we want to project as a Christian lady? Let's hope not!
If a woman wears long tops over her slacks she feels she's more modest, and she is, but she's still wearing that which "pertains" to a man. Plain and simple. God didn't make that statement to take something good from you, but to prevent confusion of the sexes.
Why see just how close you can get to rebellion to tempt God's anger? Instead, why not see just how pleasing to your Father you can be.
Now, if a woman does activities which may expose her (horse riding, biking, gardening) of course she is to wear clothing so she is not exposed. I've gardened with a long skirt and had no problem, but riding a bike I like coulottes. And I've worn a skirt with slacks underneath for some tree pruning and lawn cleanup. That's me.
How did we become a society of pants wearing women? We forgot (or rebelled) over why we'd (women representing God) never, ever worn pants before. Just check out films, engarvings, photos and paintings from the early 1900's and older - they are PROOF this is true! Look back for thousands of years in history.
The first Rebels were feminists at the turn of the century, wanting . . . no demanding, the right to smoke like a man, drink like a man, and to be allowed the right to have whatever vices she deemed desirable. At that time if she'd dared dressed like a man, in trousers, they possibly would have arrested her, just as they arrested men who tried to wear feminine apparel in public. Then, along comes Hollywood with their role models, who live to shock and be scandalous to increase their popularity. The starlets cropped their hair, dropped their necklines, raised their hemlines and started wearing men's clothing. Hollywood cheered them heartily and called it "fashionable".
Guess what? Going against God's direct Word and His will, women began more and more imitating these Hollywood role models in doing three terrible things:
(1.) Cutting their hair in a really short manish manner (extra popular today). . . (LONG hair is what God Himself calls her glory, it is her feminine covering from nature itself, a symbol of her feminity) This is from God, not me.
(2.) Wear revealing clothes . . . (Godly women are to ALWAYS be shamefaced & modest)
(3.) Putting on what only men had worn before - slacks . . . (an abomination to God? as they "pertain" to a man?)
For those who argue that slacks do not "pertain" to men, here is your answer: Look on public bathroom doors. As a female, would you walk into the one with a picture of pants or the one with a skirt?
Sadly, some women and even teenage girls are today boldly and proudly rebelling against their sexual birthright - being born female.
Just look at our confused society - need I say more. See, our culture has adopted the wrong attributes. Bossiness, brazenness and boldness tends to follow.
Sexual boundaries are terribly blurred in America. Who started smudging the line? Could it have been women refusing to obey God's instructions? Started cutting their hair off and pulling on pants? They began flaunting their dislike for God's way and the rules for feminine conduct and modesty our Lord of Glory had set down, in Scripture and in hearts. Here's a thought: In countries all over the globe, a dress or a skirt is recognized as unquestionably feminine apparel. Pants are not.
Christian women are to uphold a Godly standard for their children, neighbors & family. Even when it might not be the popular thing to do, stand firm with what God shows you.
Now, I know there are many wonderful, praying Christian women who wear slacks, some even wear shorts, and almost all cut their hair very short.
Dear, dear sisters, I'm NOT saying that a woman is a horrible sinner to do these things. Many have no convictions on these matters. But, those who are NOT sure . . .
Evaluate how to reflect Christ best in your life. Father-God wants His sons and daughters to RESTORE the paths to dwell in . . . the way of HOLINESS.
What is Holiness? It's also cleaning the outside of the platter AFTER getting the inside cleaned out, so we can shine the love and Spirit of our Father through every word, action, thought that we express. We are indeed His TEMPLE. Honor Him in your appearance, as you are able. The way we dress (except in dire circumstances) DOES reflect our personal thoughts and convictions.
Jesus warned us that man DOES judge by our outward appearance. That makes it all the more important for us as Christians to do His will even in how we present ourselves to the world.
(Jer 6:16) Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. (KJV)
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(Heb 12:14) Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: (KJV)
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(Isa 58:12) And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorerof paths to dwell in. (KJV)
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That's how the Lord began teaching me about this subject.
Let every thing you do in word or deed glorify God. One thing about it, in a modest dress you will always feel dressed feminine - and it will give no chance for reproach. Isn't that what you want for Christ? To be ABOVE reproach due to your actions of love and obediance to His will?
Above all do not harden your heart to the Holy Spirit if He convicts you of anything you are doing that doesn't please Him. Who is your Master - your will or God's way?
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From Protestant Pentecostal to Catholic
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(c) 1997 Lavenia Boswell