"Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. . .also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them." Gen. 3:7,21

Many people have varying degrees of opinions as to why they wear clothes. If asked, some would say that they are wearing clothes because it is cold, or hot, or fashionable. If we strip the Bible of Genesis, then I suppose that one opinion is just as good as another. If your opinion of wearing clothes is simply because it is "cold" then what will you do when it is hot? Will you shed them all? One can easily imagine the scenario where a father is upset as to why his daughter is dressing the way she is. Picture their tempers flaring and fueled by various and contradicting opinions: "It is not nice!" "Why is it not nice?" "Because it is wrong!" "Why is it wrong?" "Because it is not right!" "Why is it not right?" "Because it is not nice!!" And on and on it goes, a circular exhibition of emotions and opinions. If the purpose of clothing is reduced to one's "mere opinion" then some may wear many clothes, some little and some. . .none!

Genesis gives us the origin of clothing, and therefore relates its meaning. As we stated before, the meaning of anything is tied up in its origin. Are you ready to accept God's reason for clothing? From the two verses above, we see that:

• Adam and Eve sought clothing (rather than seeking to lose it).

• Adam and Eve sought clothing because they were naked.

• The clothing was for the purpose of covering nakedness.

• Adam and Eve's standard of being covered was not God's standard; therefore they were still considered unclothed, for the Lord had to make tunics of skin in order for them to be clothed (3:21).

Incidentally, the insufficiency of man's works and ideas are always made manifest when compared to God's. Some people wear clothes to entice, reveal and incite lust. Clothing that is tight and suggestive of certain body parts goes totally against the reason why clothing was created. It contradicts its very purpose. Families need to be taught that Adam and Eve were given clothes by God to be covered up, not to reveal themselves! They were given clothes because of sin. God is the one who must set that standard. In Matthew 5:28, Jesus singles out the man who lusts in his heart and the woman who is lusted after. The point is obvious: Parents teach your sons to honor women and teach your daughters the way men are. Men need to discipline themselves like Job, "I have made a covenant with my eyes; why then should I look upon a young woman?" (Job 31:1). Women need to seek to walk honorably in order to be treated honorable. Reject the standard of the immoral woman of Proverbs 7 who "flatters with her words" and dresses "with the attire of a harlot, and a crafty heart" (vv. 5, 10). "I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works" (1 Tim. 2:8-10). Is your dress "modest" and is it "proper" for godliness and good works?