Be clothed with humility.
We all spend time thinking about how we'll dress for the day. Whether it's casual Friday or throw-back Thursday or a really special event, we often try to dress for the occasion. We consider things like, "Do these shoes match this outfit", "Am I over-dressed", "Should I add another accessory", "I wonder what so-and-so is wearing today", and "These pants are getting tight, I need to lose some weight!"
Being properly attired for the day is no small matter. I'm a big fan of planning out the night before what I'm going to wear the next day. It's a habit I picked up while in the Army, where you don't have time at "Zero Dark Thirty" in the morning to think about what you are going to put on. You better know what you're putting on, and 5 minutes after first call you better have it on, or there'll be consequences!
I've shared the tip of "planning your attire the night before" to hundreds of my friends. It's a big time-saver, and you can devote your morning energy into more productive pursuits. The Bible also shares a tip about how we should dress. Let's give our attention to 1 Peter 5:1-8 (NKJV):
"The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly, nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.' Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith..."
As I prepare for the new day, knowing full well my adversary is on the prowl, what should I put on? Be clothed with arrogance? Be clothed with pride? Be clothed with self-esteem? No, no, no! JAH says be clothed with humility. Why is humility so high on God's list of fashion must-haves? One question will point to the answer: What was Satan's sin? What was the devil's downfall? What caused the deceiver's demise? Okay, three questions! If we look at 1 Timothy 3, verses 1 and 6, I think we have a clue:
"This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop [overseer], he desires a good work....not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil."
A person who holds the position of overseer should not be someone who's a novice in the faith. For a new believer to hold a position of bishop would only lead to a "puffed up" attitude of pride, which is the same attitude that created Satan.
"How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you said in your heart: 'I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.' Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit." Isaiah 14:12-15 NKJV
Notice the five deadly "I wills" of Lucifer, ending with the most outrageous one of them all, "I will be like the Most High"! Behold the epitome of pride, arrogance and self-will. Lucifer was not content to be subject to God, so he plotted to be God. But he shall be brought down to the lowest regions of the Pit.
How can I avoid falling into the same condemnation as the devil? Or to put it another way, what do I need in order to resist my adversary? I need the favor of God or what we call GRACE. "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you" (2 Corinthians 9:8a). God is able to make all grace abound toward me, but will He? A better question might be, "Who receives the favor of God, who does God provide with His grace?"
According to Scripture (which cannot be broken), JAH give grace to the humble. Therefore, before I leave my home and walk out into the world, I clothe myself with the grace-generating virtue of Humility. My interaction with others is clothed with humility, and I walk humbly with my God. This mindset shields me from the same sin that created Satan. As I prepare for the new day, I get into my pants of humility. I put on my shirt of humility. I slip on my shoes of humility. And in so doing, JAH makes all grace abound toward me!
My beloved brothers and sisters, to avoid falling into the same condemnation as the devil, be clothed with humility.
Grace, Peace and Jahspeed!