For years, I walked around with holy socks. As in, socks with gaping holes in them. At first, it was because money was tight. Over time, it was just what I was used to (and I’m a creature of habit.) Even after someone gifted me new, thick, soft socks, I still wore the old ones. Familiarity made them the easy choice for my hurried morning routine.
Then, we had a cold winter. My holy sock habit seemed silly then. I was so thankful for new socks, their warmth and cushioning, and how easy it was to put them on with getting my toes stuck!
Wearing what was new and obviously better on my feet should have been a no-brainer.
That struck me as I thought about this verse:
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothes yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” –Colossians 3:12
As believers, what we clothe ourselves in spiritually should be a no-brainer too, but it often isn’t.
We wear old, worn responses and attitudes because they’re familiar. We know how they fit, we know we’re known by them, and half the time we’re too hurried to think about it anyway.
Praise God. His Word reminds us we have a closet full of better characteristics to change into.
We’ve Got Access to New Spiritual Clothing
How ridiculous would it be to keep a shirt that’s five times too small, ripped, stained, and smelly, wearing it every day that you don’t “need to look nice?” How much more ridiculous if you had a limitless supply of shirts that fit well and suited all variety of occasions?
Every day, we have new spiritual clothing to put on- signifying the change God is working in us as He makes us more like Christ. Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience are all being offered to us through the Holy Spirit. You can’t run out of them if He’s the source of them.
Our Spiritual Clothes Are Fitting
The call to clothe ourselves begins with the reason it’s fitting to do so: we’re people God has chosen and calls holy and dearly loved. What we dress in from the heart isn’t primarily about other people, our style, or what we feel like – it’s about what makes sense in light of our standing with Christ.
Are you frustrated with someone? Patience in your response is fitting of the situation and fitting of someone who God is very patient with! You’re not putting on airs as a hypocrite or opting for self-sufficiency by genuinely choose what God offers you and says is good and right.
What You’re Clothed In Changes You
We’re not asked to go snatch spiritual attitudes out of fields, dye them, sew them, and slap them on over what we really feel. By God’s grace, choosing humility when you’d like to get defensive is actually being humble and demonstrates what the Holy Spirit is working in your heart. Showing genuine gentleness when you’d like to be forceful is gentle and a testimony in and of itself.
When you’re dressing out of God’s closet in response to what He is doing, what you choose to clothes yourself in changes your heart as well as your appearance.
When you’re dressing out of God's closet, what you choose to clothe yourself in changes your heart as well as your appearance. Share on XWhich of these Spirit-fit garments do you most value?
This post may also be shared on: #TestimonyTuesday, #RaRaLinkup, #TeaAndWord, #TellHisStory, #RechargeWednesday, #Heart Encouragement, and #SoulSurvivalLinkup.
You’re reminding me here that God’s closet is abundant and we can trust that what we need will be there.
I do the same dumb.thing with socks, and in my mind, I think I am “saving” the new ones for…. what? Who knows? I will be 58 this month! What am I waiting for???
I’m reminding me too! Aha, so I’m not the only one who is silly about socks! Lol, what are we waiting for?!
Bethany, I loved this post. Thank you for the analogy of dressing ourselves from God’s word, from his closet. Thank goodness I don’t have to be a fashion-plate in His eyes. 🙂 I like how you also remind us that it’s not too difficult to dress from His closet . . . but we do need to be mindful in our interactions and choices. Great words here!
I’m so glad we don’t have to be fashionistas in His eyes, too! Thanks for stopping by and your encouragement, Jeanne!
Clothing ourselves is the reason it is so important to begin the day with time in His Word. It will outfit us from the start and prepare us for the day ahead. Grateful to read this analogy!
Wow I love your point, Joanne! Yes, as we think about clothing ourselves spiritually, we definitely need to start in God’s Word!
What a great analogy. And I love that what He clothes us with will always fit and be in ready supply.
Thanks, Barbara! Amen!
I love this analogy, Bethany! When I try something on at the store (back when we used to be able to do that, I mean), I can often tell if I’m going to like it by how it feels, before I even see myself in the mirror. These spiritual clothes should all feel good on us too, but I wonderful if some may feel a little stiff or scratchy if we’re not used to wearing them. Gentleness and humility are two that I value a lot, in others and myself (though I need to grow in both for sure). Hugs, friend.
Lois, thanks for your encouragement and insight- these should feel good on us, too. I love that thought! I value those as well! Hugs back!
Love this sweet encouragement! Especially that I don’t need to create and sew my own clothes. God has them all ready for me (and they’re in my size!)
Thank you, Becky! Glad to see you here! And yes- that part matters to me too. I’m not a great seamstress, but I am in the habit of silly self- reliance when God’s got fitting gifts at the ready!
“Patience in your response is fitting of the situation and fitting of someone who God is very patient with!” Thank you for this. I’m currently very frustrated with someone but this has reminded me to give them grace, just like I have. Blessings!
Aw, I’m so glad! I need reminding of this often. Thank God He is patient with us!
“We’ve Got Access to New Spiritual Clothing.” Amen, and very well said. This is one of those things that easy to know we should do and so much more difficult to do daily. Thank you for the wisdom and great reminder!
Hi Jed, thanks for coming by! Yes, it definitely is simple but at the same time, hard to do daily! Praise God for grace and reminders!
wonderful post! I was especially touched by the last paragraph. so true that we are asked to clothe ourselves in authentic spiritual clothes, not just patch the old holey ones. My word this year is “humility”. I have been thinking and praying a lot about that concept. I find that I still have some more work to do.
Thanks Laurie! Humility is such a great word for the year!