Portraying An Image Of Godliness

Every person wishing to visit someone in our local prison, must pass through an area with posted signs which give visitors various warnings and cautions. One such sign regarding proper dress, was posted at least four different times in key locations. All other signs were posted only once. Obviously the signs regarding proper dress was a message prison officials wanted to make certain that all visitors understood.

The visiting regulations of the prison lists the following requirements for the proper dress of visitors:

1) No sexually provocative clothing is allowed.
2) Shorts must be knee length.
3) No miniskirts.
4) No halter or midriff tops.
5) No short dresses.
6) No see-through clothing.
7) No body tight knits or spandex.
8) No clothing with gang-related or suggestive logos.
9) No apparel of a suggestive or revealing nature.

Any person that cannot abide by the above rules will be refused visitation (No exceptions!).

Question: "Why would the above proper dress requirements be such an important notice to the visitors of a prison?" Obviously, the prison authorities are concerned that the way someone is dressed could have an adverse impact on the inmates they are charged with housing and controlling.

They are aware of the problems that improper dress can create and want to avoid them with the inmates they are responsible for. As Christians, shouldn't we be more concerned about the way we dress than that of a prison? Our dress is to portray an image of godliness (cf. 1 Timothy 2:8-10; 1 Peter 3:3-4). We should always be concerned with the problems our dress may cause in the minds of others.

Dear reader, let our light so shine among men (Matthew 5:16), by not dressing in a manner that portrays the world's values, but godly values (Titus 2:11-12; cf. Psalm 4:3; 2 Timothy 2:19; 2 Peter 2:9).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets