Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothes yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Colossians 3:12 (NLT)
Yesterday I sifted through my dresser drawers and closet. Having lost 52 pounds in the past 17 months means jeans and tops now hang like sacks on me. So much for the wardrobe I’ve used for the past while. It’s time to get rid of the old and bring in the new.
Every so often it’s good to take inventory of our spiritual wardrobe too.
The more we grow to be like Christ, the less we hang on to attitudes and behaviors that are unbecoming. We’ll want to get rid of qualities such as fear, doubt, unforgiveness and prayerlessness. They have no place in our lives.
God wants to replace the old with the new. He wants us to model qualities that will reflect His beauty in us: tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
As I ponder what God says is necessary for every spiritual wardrobe, I note that judgment, criticism, and worry aren’t on His list. Neither is self-centeredness. Obviously we’re not to clothe ourselves in those qualities. And for good reason—they simply don’t fit.
But mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience never go out of style. We can’t go wrong if we clothe ourselves in these spiritual garments. They’re must-haves for everyone who wants to reflect the beauty of Christ.
Question: What’s one spiritual garment you ought to dispose of? What’s one spiritual garment you’d like to add to your spiritual wardrobe?
#bgbg2 #devotions #SpiritualWardrobe
I would like to have gentleness and understanding with those I meet.
Many times I am over-opinionated and self-righteous, and have to have the last word. I don’t need or want that. I know I need patience with others, and with myself also (what I mean there is that I will often not finish something because my mind is telling me it’s too big a task). Patience is a virtue (and one of the fruits of the Spirit in Galations 5:22-23.
Bless you, Grace.
Thanks for your honesty, Marge. It’s hard to admit our shortcomings but when we do, God is free to work in us. And develop those fruits of the Spirit, which we all need. Have a wonderful day!
……………and Happy Thanksgiving Day!
I hope you had a good Thanksgiving!