PANTS, OR NO PANTS?

David M. Coe  |  Beth Haven Baptist Church  |  Morgantown, WV.

We should NOT take a stand on a particular issue JUST because someone else takes the same stand! We should believe what we believe because WE have STUDIED the Scriptures! It is foolish for someone to go hog-wild, head-over-heels, full-force on a subject they have never prayed over and studied upon from the Bible!! (this goes for ANY subject) 2 Timothy 2:15

We must remember that what we do or don't do should not ultimately hinge on what A pastor says, but "thus saith the Lord". Your pastor is to lead you, but YOU are responsible for the steps you take. I am responsible to God and God alone, HOW I teach and what I say ... you are responsible to God and God alone how you walk, talk, dress, etc. 2 Timothy 2:15

3 Let's spring from the most popular of springboards - Deuteronomy 22:5 
a) A woman is NOT to wear things that pertain to a man
b) A man is NOT to put on woman's garments
c) Those who do such things are committing an abomination unto the Lord

WHAT is the message of vs.5?
Simple ... Women are not to wear men's clothing and men are not to wear women's clothing. In-other-words, women are not to look like men and men are not to look like women.

We cannot use the defense of vvs. 9-11, etc. Vs. 5 is set aside as a specific command in that if not carried out according to God's word - it is an abomination! See {Deut. 7:25, 12:29-31, 17:1, 18:9-12, 23:18, 24:4, 25:13-16, etc}

What are men's clothing? What are women's clothing? Shall we go to the Bible for the answer?

Law of first mention!? "BREECHES" LOOK! - Exodus 28:39-43 (vs.42) - THIS WAS UNDERWEAR - No debate!
Ezekiel 44:18 - THIS WAS UNDERWEAR - No debate! Also look at - Ex. 39:28, Lev. 6:10, Lev. 16:4

"PANTS" are NOT mentioned in the Bible. They are NON-EXISTENT!

"GARMENT" was the actual suit of outerwear
*Gen. 39:12 - a robe like garment (men)
*2 Sam. 13:18 - a robe like garment (women)
*1 Kings 11:29-30 - a robe like garment (men)
*Haggai 2:12 - a skirt (robe) like garment (men)
*Rev. 1:13 - a dress like garment (Jesus)

Men wore garments referred to as skirts: Look - Deut. 22:30, Ruth 3:9, Ezek. 16:8

A ROBE, MANTLE, and CLOAK was an additional piece. Like an overcoat.
Look - 1 Samuel 15:27, 1 Sam. 18:4, Micah 2:8, 2 Tim. 4:13

Does anyone here think that the women in the Bible wore pants!?
Does anyone here think that the MEN in the Bible wore pants!?
FACT: Neither wore PANTS! Silk "underwear" - YES Pants - NO

IF we are going to make it wrong for women to wear pants because the Bible women didn't wear pants - WE NEED TO MAKE IT WRONG FOR MEN TO WEAR PANTS ON THE SAME GROUNDS!

Remember! - The BASIC styles for men & women in the Scriptures are the same. Both wore robes, dress, skirt type of clothing.

But even though the BASIC blueprint for their clothing was the same - OBVIOUSLY there were differences!!! Different COLORS, STITCHES, EMBROIDERIES, SHAPES, etc. There WAS a difference!

If I were to go to a clothing store to shop for clothing - It would NOT be good for me to shop for underwear in the women's section!! WHY!? Because even though the BASICS are the same - THERE IS A DIFFERENCE!!! Women's underwear are made different than men's! Different COLORS, STITCHES, EMBROIDERIES, SHAPES, etc. The SAME is true of SHIRTS, SOCKS, SHOES, PANTS, COATS, GLOVES, etc.

The same thing is true for women shopping. Women should NOT shop for their clothing in the MEN'S DEPARTMENT!

The sizes, shapes, colors, embroideries are ALL different.

There are 2 things you need to keep in mind when shopping for clothing: 

a) stay out of the opposite sex's department

b) be sure the clothing, whatever it is, will COVER your body. See - 1 Timothy 2:9

EXAMPLES: 
a) Parents who insist in their little girls wearing dresses have, many times, not taken the time to teach their little girls HOW to sit in a dress and when on the front pew (or anywhere for that matter) the little girls expose their undergarments to all in the area.

b) A missionary in Costa Rica insist that his wife wears dresses and while carrying groceries in both arms in a "windy area" has her dress blown clear over the back of her head while she tries to juggle groceries and modesty.
Ladies SHOULD NEVER purchase clothing to wear in PUBLIC that will PURPOSELY draw attention to or expose her breast, butt, thighs, etc. Many dresses can incite "lust" in a man!

There IS a TENDENCY for "dress only" wearers to develop hypocrisy!
READ - Luke 18:9-14!!! 
a) Many feel as though they are SUPERIOR to those women who wear PANTS.
b) Many feel as though they are MORE SPIRITUAL than those who wear PANTS.
c) Many feel that those who wear pants are NOT SPIRITUAL.
d) Most "dress only" Christian ignore - 1Cor. 11:14-15, 1Tim. 2:9-10, 1Peter 3:3-4
e) SOME wear those "ungodly pants" UNDER their dress or skirt IN THE WINTER. (Kind of like drinking whiskey in a paper cup)
f) MOST "dress only" Christians wear culottes which have two legs, crotch, zipper and show MORE flesh than pants!
g) Many will wear their husbands shirts, socks, t-shirts, shoes, gloves, sweatshirts, etc.
h) Many will MAKE those women who wear PANTS feel bad, stupid and unspiritual!

To come to a decision FOR OUR HOMES, FAMILIES, WIVES and DAUGHTERS we should: 
a) Pray and seek direction from God
b) Follow our conscience
c) Know the Scriptures
d) Hold true to our convictions
e) Children are to obey parents rules, in this area, as long as they live at home.
f) Refrain from the Pharisee attitude!
g) Realize that there are times and places in which PANTS WOULD and WOULD NOT be expedient. See - 1 Cor. 6:12