Reflecting The Image of Christ; Fashion, A Tool for Evangelism
As I walked into the office, my boss Mr K looked at me with a smile and said “B, I love the way you dress. It’s so beautiful yet Godly”. That Compliment lingered in my head as i wiped my face ready to go to bed and delve into deep self reflection. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” 1st Corinthians 10:31.
Fashion, for many, is often seen as a tool for self-expression, creativity, or cultural identity. However, for a Christian, fashion can be something deeper—it can be a canvas that reflects the character and image of Christ and In a world where appearances often speak louder than words, what we wear can be a powerful yet subtle form of evangelism.
Our Appearance: the first expression of our identity in Christ.
Samuel the prophet was instructed by God to seek for a king to replace Saul. On arrival at Jesse’s house, the bible recorded that “…he looked on Eliab and said surely the Lord’s anointed is before him ” 1 Sam 16:6. “He Looked “-the appearance. While we see in subsequent verses of that chapter, that neither Eliab nor his other brothers were the chosen ones, we see that the scripture affirmed one thing “…for man looketh on the outward appearance…” 1 Sam 16:7.
Picture this: A young man approaches you with uncombed hair, dressed In faded thorn trousers and rumpled t-shirt, with his shoes screaming for redemption as the sole has now parted ways with the top and says “The president sent me to you”. Hilarious won’t it be?. For starters, you would assume he
is either a clown, a joker or a mad man, as his appearance does not in anyway reflect the authority he claims sent him.
This is the same thing with us as Christian vessels. We speak of a king, the owner of the universe, with excellence and glory whose abode in heaven has streets made of gold (Rev 21:21). Our appearance should be with excellence, offering a glimpse of the values of the kingdom of God while portraying humility and modesty knowing that the Christ we intend to represent has in his very nature, humility.
Modesty not mediocrity.
Modesty is often misunderstood as plainness or a rejection of style but in the real sense, modesty is a reflection of moderation. It does not mean that Christians must abandon beauty or creativity in fashion.
On the contrary, God is the ultimate artist. From the ornate design of the tabernacle to the detailed description of priestly garments in the Old Testament (Exodus 28), God shows that He delights in beauty with purpose. Our fashion choices can reflect order, dignity, and intentionality—much like our faith but
we must place Christ at the center— dressing in a way that honors Him and does not distract from
His light in us.
By dressing modestly and tastefully, we can challenge cultural norms that often objectify the body and glorify excess. In doing so, we open the door to conversations that can point others to the peace, confidence, and dignity we find in Christ.
Fashion as a conversation starter:
A while ago, a young lady approached me and said “Hi, your outfit is gorgeous, can I get your tailors number? And I responded “Oh my sister in church made it, I could link you up with her” Do you want to guess what the next question was? Well ,I’ll tell you. “What church do you attend?. Can you see how effortlessly a conversation had begun by what she saw?
In today’s visually-driven culture, our outfits can speak even before we do. Walking across the street and you sight a young lady wearing a Jersey with the inscription “Jesus loves you” already gives you a perception ” She’s a Christian”. A cross necklace, a T-shirt with a Scripture verse, or simply choosing
to wear clothing that reflects integrity and joy can create moments of curiosity. These small but intentional choices can serve as silent witnesses, sparking conversations about faith.
The fashion industry as a mission field:
For those called into fashion design, modeling, or retail, the industry itself can be a mission field. In this generation and end times, where the devil has fashion on chokehold, it is time to shine the light so that men can see and glorify God the father. Christian designers should aim at creating more modest
yet stunning apparels that glorifies God through creativity and ethics.
Christians in the fashion industry should:
- Share their faith through their work and interactions
- Support ethical and responsible business practices
- Use their platform to promote positive values and messages
By engaging with the fashion industry, Christians can bring hope, love, and light to this creative and influential field. If the devil is not asleep with his antics in this field, it is time for us to invade this space and scream Jesus through our craft.
Conclusion: Clothed in Christ Ultimately, fashion should not be about drawing attention to ourselves, but about pointing others to Christ. Galatians 3:27 says, “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have
clothed yourselves with Christ.” The greatest outfit we can ever wear is the character of Jesus—compassion, humility, patience, and love. As we step into each day, may we be intentional not just with our words or actions, but with how we present ourselves. Let our fashion reflect Christ, and may our appearance be another beautiful thread in the fabric of evangelism.
