Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31.
Is it possible that these verses could refer to dress? “Many today have veils upon their faces. These veils are sympathy with the customs and practices of the world, which hide from them the glory of the Lord. God desires us to keep our eyes fixed upon Him, that we may lose sight of the things of this world.” Testimonies, vol. 6, 146.
“As soon as any have a desire to imitate the fashions of the world, that they do not immediately subdue, just so soon God ceases to acknowledge them as His children. They are the children of the world and of darkness.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 137.
“If I yet please men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10.
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world, if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15.
“To many the dress reform is too simple and humbling to be adopted. They cannot lift the cross. God works by simple means to separate and distinguish His children from the world.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 523, 524.
“The dress reform is treated by some with great indifference and by others with contempt, because there is a cross attached to it. For this cross I thank God. It is just what we need to distinguish and separate God’s commandment keeping people from the world. The dress reform answers to us as did the ribbon of blue to ancient Israel.” Testimonies, vol. 3, 171.
“It is never difficult to do what we love to do; but to take a course directly against our inclinations, is lifting a cross.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 94.
“If we pass along without receiving censure or frowns from the world we may be alarmed, for it is our conformity to the world which makes us so much like them that there is nothing to arouse their envy or malice; there is no collision of spirits. The world despises the cross. ‘For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.’ 1 Corinthians 1:18.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 525.
“It is the duty of every child of God to inquire: ‘Wherein am I separate from the world?’ Let us suffer a little inconvenience, and be on the safe side. What crosses do God’s people bear? They mingle with the world, partake of their spirit, dress, talk, and act like them.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 278.
“Everyone must now search the Bible for himself upon his knees before God, with the humble, teachable heart of a child, if he would know what the Lord requires of him.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 214.
“The sin of ancient Israel was in disregarding the expressed will of God and following their own way according to the leadings of unsanctified hearts. Modern Israel are fast following in their footsteps, and the displeasure of the Lord is as surely resting upon them.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 94.
“Self denial in dress is a part of our Christian duty. To dress plainly, and abstain from display of jewelry and ornaments of every kind is in keeping with our faith.” Testimonies, vol. 3, 366.
“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 a great price.” 1 Peter 3:3, 4. “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, and or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.” 1 Timothy 2:9, 10.
“If all our sisters would adopt a simple, unadorned dress of modest length, the uniformity thus established would be pleasing to God.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 640.
“There is an increasing tendency to have women in their dress and appearance as near like the other sex as possible, and to fashion their dress very much like that of men, but God pronounces it abomination.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 457.
“I saw that God’s order has been reversed, and his special directions disregarded, by those who adopt the American costume. I was referred to Deuteronomy 22:5: ‘The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither a shall man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God . . . It is immodest apparel, wholly unfitted for the modest, humble followers of Christ.” Ibid.
“It is always right to be neat and to be clad appropriately in a manner becoming to your age and station in life.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 142.
“Christians should not take pains to make themselves a gazing stock by dressing differently from the world. But if, when following out their convictions of duty in respect to dressing modestly and healthfully, they find themselves out of fashion, they should not change their dress to be like the world; but they should manifest a noble independence and moral courage to be right, if all the world differ from them. If the world introduces a modest, convenient, and healthful mode of dress, which is in accordance with the Bible, it will not change our relation to God or to the world to adopt such a style of dress.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 458, 459.
“Correct taste is not to be despised or condemned. Our faith, if carried out, will lead us to be so plain in dress and zealous of good works that we shall be marked as peculiar. But when we lose taste for order and neatness in dress, we virtually leave the truth; for the truth never degrades but elevates.” Child Guidance, 419, 420.
“My sisters, your dress is telling either in favor of Christ and the sacred truth or in favor of the world. Which is it?” Child Guidance, 420.
The End