Day Sixteen
Proverbs 31:22...She makes for herself coverlets, cushions, and rugs of tapestry. Her clothing is of fine linen, pure and fine and of purple [such as that of which the clothing of the priests and the hallowed cloths of the temple were made]...
Ethan Allen. Broyhill. Merle Norman. J.C. Penney. Liz Claiborne. Calvin Klein. Cliniquie. Georgio. Maybelline. Eddie Bauer. Max Factor. Armani. Gloria Vanderbilt. Chanel. FAO Schwarz. Lazy Boy. Thomasville. White Diamonds. Black Hills Gold. WalMart. Sears. Mary Kay. Revlon. Clairol...and the list goes on.
Oh, what choices we have. We live in a nation that is blessed with abundance. For that reason, we have a whole host of goods to decorate our homes, not to mention the vast array of products and clothing to adorn our bodies. And companies spare no expense to advertise their wares before us.
As I mulled over today's characteristic - clever at decorating and furnishing, the Lord brought to mind the importance of adorning the inner man. We are easily wrapped up in how we look, how we dress, how we feel, how others might see us and what they think, what our bodies look like, what our hair looks like, being stylish and updated, being fashionable, wearing the right clothes, makeup, etc. We spend hundreds of dollars for the newest products, all to make ourselves look and feel better.
Then, there are those who live lives of self-berating, self-loathing, and self-judging, because they hate their bodies and how they look. They are never satisfied with their weight, size or appearance. They spend hundreds of dollars on diets, exercise equipment, or any other product or drug to make themselves feel better about them. At either end of the spectrum, the problem becomes all about the focus of the outward man, with little attention to the inward man.
Colossians 3:12-17...Clothe yourselves therefore, as God's own chosen ones (His own picked representatives), [who are], purified and holy and well-beloved [by God Himself, by putting on behavior marked by] tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, [and] patience [which is tireless and long-suffering and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper].
Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other, even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive].
Above all these things, [put on] love and enfold yourselves with the bond of perfectness [which binds everything together completely in ideal harmony].
And let the peace (soul harmony) which comes from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ's] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciate), [giving praise to God always].
Let the word [spoken by] Christ (the Messiah) have its home [in our hearts and minds] and dwell in you in [all its] richness, as you teach and admonish and train one another in all insight and intelligence and wisdom [in spiritual things, and as you sing] psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making melody to God with [His] grace in your hearts.
And whatever you do [no matter what it is] [in word or deed], do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and in dependence upon] His Person, giving praise to God the Father through Him...
Romans 13:14...But clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and make no provision for [indulging the flesh [put a stop to thinking about the evil cravings of your physical nature] to [gratify its] desires (lusts)...
Romans 12:2...Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]...
Ephesians 4:22-24...Strip yourselves of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion;
And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude].
And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God's imagine (Godlike) in true righteousness and holiness...
So, how do we put these things on? We clothe ourselves with His will, bowing our wills in submission to the Father's, with our minds being renewed through the Word of God - God's Wisdom, not man's wisdom.
You know, taking care of ourselves is not wrong. Having our hair done, buying new clothes or decorating our homes is not wrong. We are to be good stewards with what God has given us, including our bodies. But we must not allow our focus to be our bodies, nor our homes. Our focus is to be on the Father and what He has called us to do. Interestingly enough, 1 Timothy 4:7(b)-8 says...train yourself toward godliness (piety), [keep yourself spiritually fit]...For physical training is of some value (useful for a little), but godliness (spiritual training) is useful and of value in everything and in every way, for it holds promise for the present life and also for the life which is to come...
The problems come when we have undo focus on our outward bodies and physical appearance. I have yet to be with a group of women, anytime, anywhere, who do not automatically begin to talk about body size, calories, weight, body imagine, exercise and the like. We, as women and even men, are obsessed with how we look. And when the focus stays on us, then delusions and compulsions and any other number of troubles arise. We get wound up about how we look, becoming depressed or despondent, and at times, feel hopeless, which actually causes the cycle of compulsions to continue.
1 Peter 3:3-4...Let not yours be [merely] external adorning with [elaborate] interweaving and knotting of the hair, the wearing of jewelry, or changes of clothes;
But let it be the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which [is not anxious or wrought up, but] is very precious in the sight of God...
1 Timothy 2:9-10...Also, [I desire] that women should adorn themselves modestly and appropriately and sensibly in seemly apparel, not with [elaborate] hair arrangements or gold or pearls or expensive clothing.
But by doing good deeds (deeds in themselves good and for the good and advantage of those contacted by them), as befits women who profess reverential fear for and devotion to God...
Okay, we decide to 'clothe' ourselves with God. That sounds good, but how do we keep from feeling bad about ourselves or keep getting caught in some type of cycle of compulsion or an inappropriate inward focus? We must see God more than we see ourselves. We must see that God so loves us that He sent His only Son, who lay down His life for us, taking our sins and sicknesses upon Himself, that we might be free. We must see the provision and promises in His Word more than we see the problems. We must see that we are called to be a light, not a person who is doomed to continue in cycles of behavior, be that being too caught up in ourselves or feeling that we are nothing. We must see that no matter what tries to come against us in life, He has the answer and we don't have to be lost in self. We must see that He has provided everything we need to stand firmly in Him...thereby bringing hope to those who feel there is no hope. Additionally, we further clothe ourselves with the Armor of God..
Ephesians 6:10-17...In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]...
Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against all the strategies and deceits of the devil...
For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere...
Therefore, put on God's complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place]...
Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God...
And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace...
Lift up over all [the covering] shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one]...
And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God...
I'd say that the Scripture is clear on how we are to 'adorn' ourselves, even in times of trouble. You see, it is about appropriate focus. As we walk the path that the Lord has laid out for us, by faith, in obedience and following His will, renewing our minds with the Word of God, the outward expression of that inner man strengthened by God's Holy Spirit will benefit and be a witness to those that we cross paths with in this life...that they might know the Father...Who gave His Son...
2 Timothy 2:1...So, you, my son, be strong (strengthened inwardly) in the grace (spiritual blessings) that is [to be found only] in Christ Jesus...
A hearts' cry...Father, my hearts' cry is to clothe myself with more of You...