I guess I really show my age when I ask my granddaughters Lauren and Kaity why anyone would spend good money on clothes with holes in them.  It makes no sense to me.  Neither does it make sense why you would buy pants two sizes too big so they can hang down around your hips making it necessary to either hold on to them or constantly be jerking at them to keep them from falling down.

On reflection, though, I can remember a few unusual styles that were common in my day. Anyone remember penny loafers and white socks? Beehive hairdos? Duck-tail haircuts for men? Leisure suits?

I can remember spending hours when I was a teen making the perfect red poodle skirt. It was soooo cute! And of course, I wore several crinolines so that it would stand out and show off the design. (very uncomfortable and totally impractical.)

I suppose each generation has its own distinctive ways of dress. We spend tons of money and countless hours of our time worrying about our clothes, hair, the latest styles, etc.

Do you ever wonder what would happen if we spent just as much time on our spiritual appearance—our minds and our souls—as we do on the physical aspects of life?

Our Pastor Mike Motley at Trading Ford Baptist Church recently preached about “putting on” the mind of Christ and why it’s a matter of life and death:

^“Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.  So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.” (Romans 8:5-6 NLT)

One reason, I believe, that the world is not drawn to Christ is that we as Christians look and act just like the world. There is no distinction. And I’m not talking about physical clothing—although I think immodest dress does not reflect well on a Christian lifestyle. I am talking about matters of the Spirit.

You may remember that the fruit of the Spirit include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22)

When we reflect rather hatred, worry, unrest, impatience, unkindness, evil, harshness, unfaithfulness, and lack of control, we do not reflect the mind of Christ.

The great apostle Paul wrote:

“Clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.” (Romans 13:14 NLT)

The Bible tells us that the Lord is not concerned about the latest fads—the coolest clothes—or the most flattering hairstyles. Rather, He is concerned that we wear “Him,” and that the world sees Him in us.

“Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.” (1Peter 3:3-4 NLT)

Sadly, we as Christians fail to remember this truth: we have the mind of Christ within us. When decision times come, we are equipped to make sound decisions that reflect Christ, but we often make bad choices that dishonor Him. How could that be? We let our own flesh—or Satan—lead us astray.

Peter, who knew a great deal about making bad choices, advised us:

“Prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.” (1 Peter 1:13 NLT)

Pastor Mike had these excellent suggestions for preparing our minds for right choices:

1. Remember that our minds are a battlefield and we need to bring them under the control of God.
2. The battle is ongoing and will continue as long as we live.
3. Satan, the father of lies, uses numerous tactics as he attempts to gain control of our minds. He tells us lies like:
   1. “God doesn’t love you.”
   2. “People don’t like you.”
   3. “Life has no meaning.”
   4. “There is no hope.”
4. We need to take steps to keep focused in the right direction:
   1. Think about what we are thinking about. Are our thoughts pleasing to God?
   2. Be wise enough to know that our thinking has great bearing on our choices.
   3. Bring our thought life under God’s control.
   4. Be sure of what we think about Jesus. Have we accepted him or rejected him? Have we wisely chosen life in Him or sadly chosen death in self and Satan?

What about you? Are you “dressed” appropriately for living in the world today—not just physically but mentally, emotionally, spiritually?

If not, may I suggest a new “Tailor?” One who has a Garment that will never wear out. Never get dirty or shrink.  Never go out of style.

“And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.” (Galatians 3:27 NLT)

When you choose HIM, you will never be or look or act the same:

“They looked to Him and were radiant; Their faces will never blush in shame or confusion.” (Psalm 34:5 AMP)

What about you? Any thoughts or  experiences you’d like to share about the Christian’s “wardrobe?”

Thanks for your comments and notes each week. I appreciate your encouragement. May your week be filled with opportunities to reflect your holy–not holey–“clothing.”