Fashion is the establishment of an ideology in clothing, transportation, culture, architecture, recreation, art, cooking, entertainment, and lifestyle. It is the imposition upon the public of cultural and spiritual values accepted in certain circles that exert special influence upon the mass consciousness. Fashion is temporary and constantly changing, and it requires continual spending in accordance with established standards. A person who does not keep pace with fashion trends is called “old-fashioned” and is subjected to ridicule, criticism, contempt, and exclusion from certain circles of society that have their own style and requirements.
There is even a saying: “People greet you according to your clothes...” Fortunately, at least they see you off according to your intelligence.
Fashion is one of the industries of the enemy of human souls that society has accepted. Within it, particular styles and standards of taste, values, and views are established. All of this is imposed upon civilized society through the media.
The innovations offered are not always dangerous to the soul. Not all of them carry Satan’s ideology. Many things make life easier and more beautiful, bringing comfort and convenience. If something is decent, safe, and does not contradict God’s principles and views, there is no sin in owning and using it, even if it is fashionable.
But the ideology of fashion dictates its requirements to society and calls for strict conformity to them.
If a person has accepted the standards of this world in his mind and follows them, he decides to be fashionable. At this point, separation from biblical requirements begins, and the human soul falls into Satan’s snare, from which it can no longer free itself on its own. Even a lack of money to purchase new services, goods, or clothing will not hinder a mind infected by fashion.
The influence of fashion is enormous, and this must be recognized. It is the culture and worldview of many people. Even when they become followers of Christ, they carry these values with them into their new faith and adapt them to their life with God.
Pride becomes an inseparable attribute of the fashionable person. When he meets the requirements of fashion in every sphere of life or in some of them, he displays this with tremendous satisfaction, making it clear that “he is in the know.” Money, time, health, souls, and lives are sacrificed to the idol of fashion.
But God resisteth the proud. The problem with people obsessed with fashion is that they do not see the danger to their souls and therefore do not feel any need for repentance. The Bible counsels us not to love the world or the things that are in the world.
At the same time, wisdom is needed so that, in becoming an opponent of fashion, I do not turn into the embodiment of foolishness and absurdity. If I dress in a way that makes me look like a scarecrow, or if, for example, I eat poorly, such a condition will not draw souls to Christ.
When I approach a person and begin telling him about my faith, my happiness, and the joy of life with God, he hears something like this: “I want you to become like me.” Whatever meaning I place in my words, my appearance and lifestyle are visible to those with whom I speak and to those around me, and they make their own impression. If my clothing causes people to feel aversion, I should reconsider this approach to winning souls and change something in my thinking.
God gives grace to humble people and fills their hearts with peace and wisdom. When my mind rests in God, the Most High gives me understanding of how to live, how to be appropriate to my time and society’s requirements, and at the same time remain faithful to eternal principles and laws.
Love draws my heart nearer to God. I unite with Him as one and allow Him to become part of me. Love points out my problems and shortcomings, exposing all the filth of my soul, and waits for me to permit it to cleanse me and inscribe God’s thoughts and laws upon my heart. The ridicule of this world will become my lot, but I know Whom I have believed and what I carry in my soul. I am not troubled by the contempt and insults of those who have not known God. I simply love these people. And God makes them aware that I possess something able to answer their questions and meet their needs.
Love does not boast. It is modest and at the same time beautiful in its conformity to God’s standards. We human beings were created for love, to love one another, and when we return to this purpose of God, peace reigns in our souls. Then we understand that we have attained something right.
Chasing dust has never satisfied the soul’s thirst. The pace at which fashions change is very rapid and demands great investment and effort. People fall in this race, give up, and sink into despair. Old photographs may become a temporary comfort to these deceived souls, who long for truth without understanding it. Only the love of Christ can give the heart what it needs most. But when this love knocks at the door of the heart, pride darkens the mind and prevents it from opening the door and letting love in. Who is to blame?
How often we lose blessings because we feel ashamed or uncomfortable about ourselves, our old-fashioned views of life, and our failure to conform to the modern age. How many people pass their lives in miserable loneliness simply because they have grown tired of chasing the wind, exhausted their strength, burned out emotionally, lost their means of support, and ceased to conform to fashion, yet are afraid to admit it because of pride. Love knows how to help such people—and everyone else as well.
Look at cats and dogs, and indeed at any animals. They testify to us that it is possible to be beautiful and look natural without pursuing fashion trends. And when these creatures give us their unconditional love, we see that in this world of values there is something greatly needed and enduring, something that does not disappear with a new season or with the passing years but rests upon eternal foundations. Its name is love.
What kind of families have become fashionable today? It is a foolish question, but biblical love and faithfulness are not honored in our time. The statistics concerning common-law marriages indicate that the traditional family has become old-fashioned in our day. Preserving purity in relationships before marriage is no longer fashionable either. Marriage itself has receded into the history of the past. In some cultures, traditional family values are still maintained, but such people are regarded as little more than savages. And the children suffer, not knowing where or who their father is. A father looks at his child and wonders, “Is this child mine?” And God looks upon all of this and stretches out His hands, inviting people to come and find rest and comfort in Him.
Where is it fashionable to spend a vacation today? The world can offer a great deal of advice and many recommendations on this matter—anything except what corresponds to the will of God.
Fashion costs money, and that money must be obtained somewhere. Therefore, one must work a great deal to satisfy this monster’s thirst. No money? Take out a loan. Cannot get a loan? Borrow from someone. But conform to what is being offered to you.
Is it fashionable to love in our time? What is love anyway? Does it still exist? Show me this miracle; I have never seen anything like it. At least it will give me something to laugh at. To love for no reason? Without receiving anything in return? Are you from another planet?
But love exists, and it waits.
Homework 73
Please read Genesis 3:6–7; 1 Peter 3:3–5; Isaiah 64:6; Revelation 19:7–8; Revelation 18:10–17; and 1 Timothy 2:9–10 in the light of our lesson. What was revealed to you in this lesson? Do you follow fashion in your life? Is it sinful to be fashionable? Why do you think a person desires to adorn himself with fashionable clothing? How does Jesus view fashion? See Revelation 13:18. What will happen to the fashion industry at the end of time? Do old-fashioned people provoke ridicule or aversion in you? What adorns a person? See Proverbs 31:10–31.