Distinction Between Men and Women
About wearing pants, the Scriptures say, “A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman’s garment, for all who do so are an abomination to the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 22:5). While this verse doesn’t specifically say that woman should not wear pants, it speaks about the distinction in clothing between men and woman.
Deuteronomy 22:5 refers to the pagan custom—common also today—of an artificial change of sex for immoral purposes, men wearing women’s clothes, changing their manners, and offering their bodies for immoral practices.
The Lord made humans male and female, and the difference thus set is to be honored and obeyed. The desire to minimize this difference grows from low standard and leads to immorality. The Lord is very clear that men and women should have a distinction in their clothing. One of the main reasons of this distinction is due to homosexuality.
Men’s and Women’s Clothing
There’s nothing in the Bible that says pants are for men and there’s nothing in the Bible that says robes and dresses are for women. At Jesus’ time, both men and woman wore robes. It should be noted that clothing styles depends on culture, time and on what part of the world you are in. In Burma, for example, the women wear pants. In Scotland, the men wear skirts.
Therefore, the Bible teaches that men should dress in an appropriately masculine manner and women should dress in an appropriately feminine manner according to the customs of the area they reside in. They should be seen as doing the acceptable thing according to their gender. To deviate from the norm of what society sets for men and woman would be going against that which is proper.
Do Everything to the Glory of God
The apostle Paul taught, “whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Believers are not at liberty to follow the desires of the natural, unconverted heart. They are obliged to bring every thought and act in line with God’s revealed will (Colossians 3:17; 1 Peter 4:11). The clothing of men and women should honor God. They should dress to please their Maker (John 14:15; 1 John 5:3). They should never act in such a way that others are led into sin by their practices (Romans 14:13).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team