One Saturday morning I was reading Ephesians Chapter 6, and God gave me a thought: “As a Christian, what does it REALLY mean to dress for success?” For most of us, dressing for success means creating an outward image that impresses upon others that we are successful. But that kind of depends on how we define success, right?
Who should define success for the one, priceless life we have been given?
Will the brilliant Elon Musk or talented Taylor Swift be our standard? Is success to be the president of a great nation? Is it success to be the father of an NBA player? Our culture would definitely categorize any of these accomplishments as great successes; however, if we desire to live by God’s wisdom, we must remember He created us to be successful in far greater ways. Our life can make an eternal difference which transcends any earthly achievements! Elon won’t be taking Starlink with him when he dies and Taylor won’t be able to enjoy her fame when she’s gone.
When our body dies, our soul and spirit are either spiritually dead or spiritually alive. So, can you imagine a greater success story than seeing the people you know here on earth—with GOD in heaven for eternity. Conversely, can you imagine a greater failure than seeing those you know and love in hell, lost, and without hope for all of eternity?
We were created for God’s glory, to demonstrate our relationship WITH Him and to draw others TO Him!
My friend, if we fail to dress for success by putting on the whole armor of God, there are ETERNAL consequences! The spiritual warfare is real. Our enemies are working feverishly to captivate our attention. They tempt us, twist our thinking, and cloud our understanding. They lie to us about our identity in Christ, telling us we are useless and hopeless. They encourage bitterness and anger and destroy healthy relationships. They stimulate fear and cause panic. They drown us in depression and despair. They tell us we cannot risk stepping out in faith to live in God’s Word. They push us towards addictions that ruin our lives. Our enemies want to enslave us.
But God did not set us free to live like slaves.
God has a full suit of armor for us to wear so that we can live in victory!!! Dressing for success in God’s way means that we should diligently clothe ourselves from the inside—out. In learning to dress for REAL success, our focus will be on the following passage:
Finally, my brethren, be STRONG in the Lord and in the POWER of HIS might. Put on the whole ARMOR of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Therefore take up the WHOLE armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with TRUTH, having put on the breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the GOSPEL of peace; above all, taking the shield of FAITH with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of SALVATION, and the sword of the SPIRIT, which is the word of God; PRAYING always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.
Ephesians 6:10-18
Dressing ourselves to engage in VICTORIOUS spiritual warfare requires a knowledge of how to do it and the daily discipline to make it happen.
God has taught me so much in this study! Dressing for success is MUCH more than the clothes we put on our body; rather it’s about how we TRAIN ourselves to THINK, SPEAK, and ACT according to God’s Word.
I live in the Fort Leonard Wood area. Ft. Wood is a TRADOC Army base. “TRADOC” stands for “training and doctrine,” which, according to the US Army’s website means that it is a base that “recruits, trains, educates, develops and builds the army; establishes standards, drives improvement, and leads change to ensure the army can deter, fight, and win on any battlefield now, and into the future.”
If the Army is dedicated to training for PHYSICAL warfare; don’t you think we should be training—even harder—for SPIRITUAL warfare?
We ALL live on a spiritual battlefield. Our enemies are desperate to win. They fight fiercely. They fight out of FEAR; but we fight because of LOVE. We are loved by God and HE enables us to love others. But that doesn’t mean we act stupid or complacent on the battlefield of life. It means we must live with passion and purpose. We must discipline ourselves to put on the “whole armor of God.”
Victory does not happen by accident: If we want to WIN—we must be prepared to WORK!
The lost souls of our friends, family, and indeed—the ENTIRE lost and dying world are worth it!
Every born-again believer is either fighting WITH God or AGAINST Him because there is no “Switzerland” in spiritual warfare!
I consider this short series one of my new favorites. It’s my “spiritual TRADOC.” I pray it serves you as well, my brothers and sisters in arms!
We would love to hear your thoughts about this devotional. Did God speak to you or challenge your daily walk with him? Or is there a topic that you would like Kimberly to cover or expound on? Please share with us in the comments below.
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17 Responses
This is wonderful -thank you. Someday, I would be glad to read your advice on what to do when we have tried over and over but a loved one is determined that being a nice person and going to church etc. is all that is needed to “be in God’s good graces.” Facing the fact that one must acknowledge Christ as the only path to the Father means facing the fact that lots of loved ones have gone before without salvation. So it “just can’t be true.” This loved one is getting very old and it is very discouraging to see the stubborn attitude stand firm against so many clear Biblical passages, such as the teaching that “It is only through the Son that one can come to the Father”………… 🙁
Elizabeth, I would love to help! Salvation by good works permeates so many religious beliefs and it is very scary! I will put this on my list of devotionals to write soon “Why our good works can never save us,” or something to that effect. I will pray about how to put it. Great subject to write about too—thank you for bringing it to my attention. In the meantime, you would find helpful the video series on the Basic Bible Concpets…especially The Law of Sin and Death and the Substitute.
This is a very inspiring introduction to the concept of the Armour Of God!
Love the example of our military being prepared for battle and victory.
looking foward to the series!!
Yay! Glad you are enjoying it dad!
I think the whole armor of God should be described and instructions on putting on the whole armor of God given. Some people know and understand this and some have no idea what it is or how to put it on.
Yes ma’am, that is what this series will cover! Have a blessed day!