While on campus, our evangelism outreach was tagged vision 20-20. We were paired to go preach on campus around hostels or in town to the villagers. On one of those evangelistic outreaches, we went into the village to preach.
I was paired with a sister who wore a long skirt and was well covered. We approached an elderly man who sat outside. This man gave us audience and listened to our message with rapt attention. After we were done, he said, "I am a member of XYZ church. If this sister wore a trouser here, I won't listen to her". We thanked him and left.
Both of us knew wearing trouser is not a sin neither will it take any lady to hell but for the sake of brethren without accurate knowledge especially those who are conservative, it is better to avoid it because they might be wounded and that offense will prevent the flow of God's word.
1 Cor 8:11, Paul says, "So because of your superior knowledge, a weak believer for whom Christ died will be destroyed".
It is not wise to be insensitive about weak believers and even cultural unbelievers. What do I mean by cultural unbelievers? As a missionary, I have interacted with people who have a strong cultural bias against certain forms of dressing. In most West African villages i've been, I can predict the kind of dressing that will be welcomed or frowned against.
When going to the mission field with my team, I emphasize these things. I was in Ghana years back when an elder in one of the villages warned against "Indecent" dressing among their females. As an enlightened fellow, I knew there was nothing indecent about what those village ladies wore but I knew his outburst was from a cultural standpoint not even biblical.
However, I knew he expressed the mind of the average old men&women in that axis. If one would have a successful ministry in that axis, one must blend and adapt to what is culturally acceptable( as long as it is not sinful) or else ministry labour will not yield any fruit.
As a soul winner, you need to be sensitive to things like this because before the people whom you are sent to will open their hearts to listen to your nessage, they will look at you physically and conclude in their hearts If they will ipen their hearts to you or not.
In 1 Cor 6:12, Paul says, "All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any"(KJV).
For the sake of the weak in faith, it is better to avoid certain things and not be found in a position where you'll have to explain your looks/ actions endlessly when you ought to be preaching Jesus. Nothing should hinder the flow of God's word If we truly mean to win souls.
Most of the arguments in the body of Christ about certain things especially dressing and appearances are not necessarily sinful but they might be culturally offensive and loathesome to the weak in faith. Where necessary, don't be caught in a position where your christian witness will come be questionable.
Among those with knowledge, we are at liberty but among the ignorant, we must be restrained in the exercise of our liberty to avoid being misconstrued.
