What Are You Wearing?

Jen in Red Coat (Photo credit: Dr Stephen Dann)

My four-year-old granddaughter Jen is very picky about her wardrobe. Most days she goes along with what her mother gives her to wear, but if it's something she doesn't like, Jen throws a fit.

In our modern society, appearance counts for a lot, so most of us are like Jen. We are very particular about how we present ourselves in public. But are we as concerned about how we appear to God spiritually? In the Bible, the Apostle Paul gives some pointers on what our spiritual attire should look like.

...that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. 25 Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another. 26 "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 4: 22 - 32.

Here Paul takes us to his boutique and shows us what is not becoming to us as children of God - bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice (v 31). These are the things that grieve the Holy Spirit.

And he gives us a new wardrobe consisting of -  righteousness, holiness, truth, work, kindness, tenderheartedness and  forgiveness. 

So, what does your wardrobe look like? Are you ready for a makeover? Read this chapter of Ephesians then ask God to help you put on the wardrobe that pleases Him.

 

Related articles

• Ephesians 4-6
• VERY POWERFUL PRAYER - pray it daily
• Ephesians 4:25-32
• What is the flesh?

Modesty In Dress cont'd

Image via WikipediaTwo things led me to pursue this subject: One was a sermon I heard on the radio while driving to work in which the pastor thundered about the need for women to dress modestly in church. The other had to do with the increasingly warm days we've been having here in the south. As the days get warmer, the clothes tend to get skimpier even in church, so I thought I would pose this question to an online community I belong to. Do you think women should wear shorts to church?

Modesty In Dress

Cover of Royal WeddingLast week while driving to work I listened to a series on the above topic in which the pastor thundered about the need for women to dress modestly in church. The pastor reasoned that if women knew what goes through men's minds they would be more careful when putting their wardrobe, particularly their church wardrobe, together.