Genesis 41:14
“Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.”
“Son, go back to your room and change your clothes. You are not going out looking like that.” These were the words of my mother whenever I put something on that she did not approve of me wearing to wherever it was that we were going. Let me make this clear, my parents never bought us clothes that we should not wear, but my mother was very adamant about me wearing the right clothing for each occasion.
Joseph seemed to understand this principle. He had spent several years in prison, his face was unshaven and the prison garments were not something that a person should wear going into the palace. When Joseph was called, “he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.” His appearance was important to who he was going to see, what he was going to do and where he was going.
If anybody ought to dress right, it ought to be God’s people. We live in times when people seem to think that a person’s appearance is not important. It is sad when I fly on Saturdays to my meetings in a suit and tie that most flight attendants think I’m going to work. I am, but I don’t dress this way because I’m going to work, I dress this way because of whom I represent. The verse above sets a principle of God’s people dressing right.
First, you need to dress right for the places you go. You shouldn’t wear casual clothing when you are going to a place of reverence. Likewise, you shouldn’t wear formal clothing to go work in the yard. You should be sure to dress appropriately according to what you are going to do.
Second, dress right for who you are going to see. When you are going for a job interview, be sure to dress right for that type of job. A well-kept person presents themselves better than a person who looks like they have just robbed a bank. Whether or not you like it, authority will judge you by your appearance.
Third, dress right for what you are doing. If you are going to a funeral, dress accordingly. If you are going to a wedding, then dress accordingly. You wouldn’t put a tuxedo on to go work on your car because it is not the right clothing. Your clothing should represent what you are going to do.
Fourth, dress right for who you represent. A Christian always represents Christ, and they should dress like they do. Stop trying to stay up with the world’s dress styles and dress like you believe Christ would. Everywhere you go you represent Christ. People should look at you and know that you represent someone important because of how you dress. People should never hear that you are a Christian and be surprised because your attire doesn’t match who you represent.
I know this is not a popular subject, but the principle of dressing right is important to God. If it wasn’t important, then God would not have placed the verse above in the Scriptures. Always make sure your appearance is God approved and not world approved. God’s people should dress like they are His children and stop dressing to be accepted by the world. Your appearance matters to God, so dress accordingly.