Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12
What do you put on every day? Do you put on offense, envy, strife, worry, impatience, distrust, pride, haughtiness...etc? Or do you put on the virtues of the Spirit...compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience?
Many of us are careful to make sure that we are dressed in a manner presentable to the world. Have you considered lately your appearance before God? He doesn't look at the outer appearance as man does, but at the heart. We need to take, at a minimum, an equal amount of time to dress ourselves spiritually every day.
Too many of us have been caught undressed, or naked, in the Spirit which is why we walk in defeat in so many areas of our lives. I personally have to be extra careful not to walk in offense, or "put in on" so to speak, in the work place. I consciously put on love which covers the multitude of offenses in the corporate world.
I challenge you this week to be mindful of how you dress your inner man. Too many of us put on offense, selfishness, self-centeredness and other fruits of the flesh without any conscious thought. Take out time this week to "put on" the virtues that the Bible tells us to. Don't accept the lie that dressing in this manner makes you a door mat for others to walk on. When we gird ourselves with these virtues we are actually clothing ourselves with spiritual strength.
How? Spiritual strength is actually manifested at the point of our weakness because we go beyond ourselves to someone greater than ourselves. God's grace is sufficient to help you walk in the humility that these virtues call for. Don't box yourself in for fear of the unknown. I challenge you to remember the opening words of the scripture, we are God's 'chosen, holy and dearly loved'. This truth alone carries significant weight because in His choosing He has equipped us for a life of victory and godliness.
Be encouraged this week. God has done a new thing in you through the power of His Holy Spirit. Let the virtues of the Spirit be evident in your lives by dressing for the occasion.
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society |
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