How to Dress for Spiritual Success

In 1981, I read John T. Molloy’s book, Dress for Success. The book blurb currently on Amazon for the original edition notes, “After interviewing and observing thousands of businessmen and women, Molloy identifies those personal and professional characteristics that lead to success and offers guidance in improving dress, posture, body signals, verbal skills, and social skills.”

I’m not sure how Molloy’s book influenced my success or lack of success in my professional and social spheres, but to this day I cannot wear a tie without making sure is just long enough to touch my belt buckle, a line of demarcation clearly defined by Molloy.

No doubt millions of men and women over the years have followed the advice Molloy and others have given about what has become the psychology of dressing for success in life’s spheres. But consider how many have turned to God’s Holy Word over centuries for advice on dressing for spiritual success.

What does it mean to dress? When you dress yourself, especially for success at whatever you intend to do, it’s not just a matter of putting on the right pair of shoes. You envelope yourself in an ensemble of items from head to toe. When you’ve accomplished that, you feel great inside and out.

Dressing for Success?

The Pharisees and many other religious leaders in Christ’s times were preoccupied with adorning themselves with fine clothing and expensive jewelry. But how many of them were spiritually dressed for success inwardly. To them, and to many of us today, it's following rules and regulations. It's doing things. It's looking and acting good in the eyes of our friends, family, and others.

So, what is dressing for spiritual success?

It's simple. It's putting on the Armor of God.

Ephesians 6:11-18

"Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

Oh, what a sweet smell of success!

As Stormie Omartian asks of God for her husband's dress for success in The Power of a Praying Wife:

“Lord, I pray that my husband will be strong in the Lord and put on the whole armor of God, so he can stand against the enemy every day. Enable him to take up the shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”

Say It. Pray It. Share It.

Dear Lord, I pray that as long as I have to do battle in this world, I will put on Your armor, dressing for my spiritual success. I pray this in your holy name, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.