His name is not a household name, but his photography business has stirred up controversy in cities all over the world. Tunik, who has been arrested several times, is suing New York City for interfering with his right to take photos of nude people in public places. If he's committed a crime, then how can he sue anyone? After all, isn't public nudity against the law? Yes, it is illegal in New York unless, according to state law, the people are "entertaining or performing in a play, exhibition or show." For instance the filming of a scene for a movie. Therefore, Tunik is suing New York City for arresting him for a crime that allegedly doesn't exist.

Self-Justification

Above and beyond state laws, a person's life, including his appearance, is governed by far greater principles within God's Word. Unfortunately, human nature has an insatiable appetite to justify itself, even if it has to misuse the Bible to do so. For instance, one might use the following scriptures to justify Tunik's behavior: Genesis 2:25, "And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed"; John 7:24, "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment"; and 1 Samuel 16:7, "But the LORD said to Samuel, 'Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.'" In modern day terms we say, "You can't judge a book by its cover." Most of us, as Christians, understand that the Bible should not be used in this way to justify public nudity. But do the scriptures above give us license to do whatever we desire with how we appear in public? Is it simply "between me and God"? Does God, who is spiritual and invisible to us, care about how we choose to appear at church, work and in the society in general?

God's Creation

God's creation, excellent in appearance and order, displays that outward appearances are important to God. The creation did not have to look good in order to function efficiently. However, God chose to make it attractive because the breathtaking, awesome beauty and design of His creation is a reflection of His character. Genesis 1:31 says, "Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good." Thousands of years later, the Eternal Creator could still be seen through His creation: "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork" (Psalm 19:1). Notice Romans 1:20, "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse." The creation, in its appearance and function, provides adequate proof of the true Creator. Consider the creative work of Jesus Christ as a carpenter (Mark 6:3). Do you think He cared how His carpentry work looked outwardly? Based upon the outcome of the universe, it's safe to say His work was also orderly, decent and efficient.

Appearance of Evil?

It is clear that appearance is important to God. Paul wrote, "Abstain from all appearance of evil" (1 Thessalonians 5:22, King James Version). What is the intent of this verse? The New King James Version and New American Standard Bible specify every "form" of evil while the New International Version notes every "kind" of evil. The intent of this verse covers how we look, which can be a form or kind of evil. Therefore, as Christians, we are to be circumspect about our attire and appearance.

All Things Are Lawful

Paul emphasized that Christians are supposed to be concerned about the impact of their appearance on others. He wrote, "All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify" (1 Corinthians 10:23). How is this so? Because by our appearance we can easily give a wrong impression to another person. Interestingly, a clear conscience doesn't always justify one's appearance (verses 28 and 29). After establishing the importance of appearances, Paul later appears to contradict himself. "Do you look at things according to the outward appearance?" (2 Corinthians 10:7). The implication is they should not do so. Yet this is not a contradiction. "Outward appearance" here is associated with Paul's "bodily presence" (verse 10), which some Corinthians felt was "weak." In other words, Paul's stature did not command the kind of respect General Patton's did. The stature we were born with is not a reflection of our character, but the appearance we choose does reflect what is in our mind and heart.

Modest Apparel

What causes us to dress a certain way? Just how do we come to a conclusion about what is appropriate for us to wear or not to wear? The difficulty with the idea of modesty is that it lies in the area of values. A value is something we choose to hold as important to us. A value is an abstraction, which needs interpreting. We show what we feel is important with our behavior, by what we say and do. So, how do we interpret modesty? Let's see what Paul wrote about modesty. "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" (1 Timothy 2:9). Other translations say: "dress modestly, with decency and propriety" (New International Version); "proper clothing, modestly and discreetly" (New American Standard); "adorn themselves modestly and sensibly in seemly apparel" (Revised Standard Version).

We must interpret Paul's advice in the light of God's Word and the society we live in, with an understanding of human nature. This doesn't mean old-fashioned. It means decent, respectful, non-revealing yet fashionable. So it takes some thought how to be fashionable and stylish and yet not be extreme. Verse 9 begins with "in like manner." The previous verse gives instruction to the men regarding public worship. "I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting" (verse 8). Paul mentioned "everywhere" to show that men should pray in all places rather than just in the synagogue or temple. "Lifting up holy hands" in that day reflected a sincere, godly attitude in their public appeal to God. Therefore the significance of "in like manner" is that women, too, are to set a sincere, godly example everywhere, not just at church, with their appearance. Of course, both men and women should wear appropriate attire to church, too, especially when you consider we are coming before God. The "braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing" had more to do with the degree of these items rather than forbidding them totally. God figuratively dressed His bride in gold and silver and quality clothing (Ezekiel 16:10-14). Unfortunately, these blessings from God became a source of vanity for Old Testament Israel (verses 15 to 19). In general, like the bride God figuratively clothed, one's attire should reflect that which is quality not vanity, godly esteemed not wordly extremes, modern not materialistic.

The Example of Jesus Christ

The average Jewish male during the time of Christ wore tassels as noted in Numbers 15:38-40. It was the hem or tassels of Christ's garment that the woman touched while seeking to be healed of an ailment she suffered for 12 years (Matthew 9:20-22). Though the Pharisees wore similar clothing, Christ had a problem with their attire. "They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments" (Matthew 23:5). The enlarged borders and/or tassels of their garments reflected their self-righteous attitudes in thinking they kept the law better than everyone else.

Since Jesus expressed concern about the outward appearance of the Pharisees, His enemies, how much more concerned is He about the appearance of His Body, the Church? Jesus said the Pharisees were "hypocrites" because their seemingly righteous outward appearance contradicted their inward lack of character (Matthew 23:25-26). Conversely, if one who is converted fails to reflect conversion in his or her outward appearance, is this not another form of hypocrisy? Christ tells us to clean the inside "first" rather than "only." Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss. This sign was necessary because Christ's outward appearance reflected a balance in His society rather than an extreme. Christ could not be detected by special religious garb. He was not old-fashioned or strait-laced. Neither was He flashy, faddish or trendy. Nor did He try to look sexy and provocative.

Lights to the World

If we underestimate the impact of our appearance, then we're underestimating a key area of being lights to the world "that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). Everything we do sends a message to others. What we choose to wear to church services, job interviews, restaurants, the spa, the beach and other public settings does send a message. The difficulty is the message we send might not be the one we want or intend to send. For example, will the latest style be seen by others as attractive or as sexy and provocative? What we choose to wear should not be driven by "selfish ambition or conceit" (Philippians 2:3-4), but by what is balanced, reasonable and pleasing to God. A Christ-like attitude will strive to "look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." Let's strive to set a godly example "everywhere."