What a beautiful world God created for us to enjoy! The seasons of spring, summer, and fall, bring many different colors to our eyes. The colors of the rainbow are a reminder of the beauty and multifaceted splendor of our Creator God. An interesting study is the study of color and what each color represents. Of course, there is variation across the societies and cultures of the earth, but even in that, some themes are constant. We want to look at the color Red.
According to Wikipedia - “Red is the color of fire and blood, so it is associated with energy, war, danger, strength, power, determination as well as passion, desire, and love. Red is a very emotionally intense color. It enhances human metabolism, increases respiration rate, and raises blood pressure.”
It is not a neutral color. It is a vibrant and powerful color. It is a color that grabs your attention. This is why it is used in warning labels, stop signs, and traffic lights. In the Bible, it sometimes signifies sin or the blood of Christ that cleanses that sin. Let us see what the Scriptures have to say about the color red or scarlet as it is often used.
It was part of the tabernacle décor. And he made an hanging for the tabernacle door of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, of needlework; Ex 36:37
It is the color of judgment. For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and he poureth out of the same: but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them. Psa 75:8
It is the color of intoxicating wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his color in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. Pr0 23:31
It is the color of sin. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isa 1:18
It is the color that indicates wealth and privilege. And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom. Dan 5:16
It is the color when present at sunrise indicates rough weather. He answered and said unto them, when it is evening, ye say, it will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? Matt 16:2-3
It is the color of the robe that they put on Jesus to mock Him before he was crucified. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. Matt 27:28
It is the color that represents future Babylon. The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, and cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. Rev 18:12-14
It is the color that represents blasphemy against God. So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: Rev 17:3
In light of the Scriptures mentioned above we ask the question - should the Christian wear red? There seems to be a progression in our willingness to wear red. In our dresses and sweaters, we are seeing more shades of pink and rose that are very close to red. Should our brethren wear shirts and jackets where red is predominant or very obvious? Are we losing our historical resistance to wearing the color of red? Given the meaning of the color of red, what are we expressing when we wear it? What motivates the selection of red? Is it a God-ward or world-ward mindset?
The Scriptures are silent on what colors Christians should wear. But are there some principles expressed that would give us some direction? I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 1Ti 2:8-10. Red is not mentioned here, but those verses beg the question - is it a modest color? Does it profess godliness? God give us strength and courage to build conviction in this area.