Do you ever watch What Not to Wear on TLC? My daughter and I love that program. We are almost always blown away by the transformation that takes place of the women they have on the show. Stacy London and Clinton Kelly have made themselves famous by stripping women of their former wardrobes and teaching them rules to purchase a new one. The show always seems to hone in on the fact that what someone wears impacts how they see themselves, how they treat themselves and how they treat others.
I’ve seen this played out tremendously in my work with survivors of human sex trafficking. When I first meet these young ladies, they are dressed as you would imagine based on the work they’ve been forced to do. As I’ve gotten to know them, encouraged them to seek professional help and walked life out with them, I’ve seen transformations not just on the outside, but on the inside as well. It’s like watching What Not to Wear or Extreme Makeover, God edition.
I love what Ephesians 4:22-24 says about this, particularly in the Amplified Bible.
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 image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness.”
God knew more than anyone how what we “wear” impacts how we think of ourselves and how we act. When we allow Him to transform us, as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 5:17, we are a completely different person. The old is gone and the new has come. Many of us stop there, assuming it’s a one shot deal; however; Ephesians 4:23 says to be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind. Just like the people on What Not to Wear have to remember the rules Stacy and Clinton give them when shopping and dressing , we must continually work at keeping our minds focused on God and what He would have for us or we will revert back to our old ways.
Philippians 4:8 tells us,
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable– if anything is excellent or praiseworthy– think about such things.”
If we’re living a life fully surrendered to God, focused on His plans and purposes for our lives, it’s not by accident. We must be intentional and work at it daily, but the results are worth it.
What are you wearing today? Is it time for an episode of What Not to Wear, God’s Way?
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