Clothes Make the Man

26 Feb

There’s a famous saying that goes, “Clothes make the man (or woman).” It turns out this is true. What we wear affects others’ perception of us and even how we perform.

In a study published in Psychology Today, 74 participants were give white coats to wear. Some were told the coat was a doctor’s coat, while the others were told they were wearing a painter’s coat.

Asked to study two pictures side-by-side and find the differences, the people wearing the “doctor’s coat” outperformed those wearing the “painter’s coat”, even though the coats were exactly the same.

They were then instructed to look at a doctor’s lab coat hanging in front of them and retake the test. Simply looking at the coat did not affect their scores.

The researchers concluded “we must see and feel the clothes on our body – experience it in every way – for it to influence our psyche. (1)

Romans 13:14 says, “clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ…” And Galatians 3:27 adds, “all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”

It is not enough to just call yourself a Christian. You must experience Christ in every way, wrapping yourself with His robe of righteousness, to be changed into His likeness.

When this happens, you will take on not just the name of Christ, but His very character, so “When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:4)

When you accept Jesus as your Savior, you will start to look like Him, sound like Him, and, most importantly, act like Him. Instead of your old filthy rags of self-righteousness, you will “clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Colossians 3:12)

If it’s true that “clothes make the man”, then don’t wait a moment longer. Shuck off your old filthy rags and wrap yourself in Christ’s blood-stained robe. “Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ” and let Him remake you into His image today.

God bless and have a great day!