Chapter 10—Personal Appearance
The worker’s dress is no trivial matter—Our words, our actions,
and our dress are daily, living preachers, gathering with Christ, or
scattering abroad. This is no trivial matter, to be passed off with a
jest. The subject of dress demands serious reflection and much prayer.
Many unbelievers have felt that they were not doing right in permitting
themselves to be slaves of fashion; but when they see some who make
a high profession of godliness dressing as worldlings dress, enjoying
frivolous society, they decide that there can be no wrong in such a
course.—
Testimonies for the Church 4:641
.
The sanctuary shows God has a preference in regard to the
dress of those who minister for Him—There should be no careless-
ness in dress. For Christ’s sake, whose witnesses we are, we should
seek to make the best of our appearance. In the tabernacle service,
God specified every detail concerning the garments of those who min-
istered before Him. Thus we are taught that He has a preference in
regard to the dress of those who serve Him. Very specific were the
directions given in regard to Aaron’s robes, for his dress was symbolic.
So the dress of Christ’s followers should be symbolic. In all things
we are to be representatives of Him. Our appearance in every respect
should be characterized by neatness, modesty, and purity. But the
Word of God gives no sanction to the making of changes in apparel
merely for the sake of fashion,—that we may appear like the world.
Christians are not to decorate the person with costly array or expensive
ornaments.—
Evangelism, 268
.
Minister’s Appearance
Whether out of the pulpit or in, your appearance matters—
The work in which we are engaged is a responsible and exalted work.
Those who minister in Word and doctrine should themselves be pat-
terns of good works. They should be examples in holiness, cleanliness,
and order. The appearance of the servant of God, out of the pulpit and
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