The Christian's Valuable Garments

A closet full of clothing, while usual in many homes today, was certainly not common in Bible times. The basic wardrobe was a tunic and some type of head covering. Shoes and a coat were often optional, due to cost. The coat (or cloak) was frequently used as a covering, especially on cold nights. Because of its value, a coat was in danger of being stolen while its owner was sleeping. Great care was needed to watch and keep those garments.
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The Christian is given valuable spiritual garments, such as: "the robe of righteousness" and "the garments of salvation" (Isaiah 61:10), "the garment of praise" (Isaiah 61:3), clothing of mercy, kindness, humbleness, meekness, longsuffering, forgiveness, and love (Colossians 3:12-14).

An entire wardrobe is made available to the Christian. Yet, there is a "thief" who is looking to steal our spiritual garments. The most dangerous time is when the Christian becomes spiritually sleepy (not watching over his garments as he should). Luke 21:34 lists some things that can bring about a spiritual unawareness: "surfeiting" (excessive indulgence in something) and "cares of this life" (the cares, worries, and anxieties of everyday life).

Just as maintaining a literal wardrobe requires washing, ironing, and sometimes mending, we must take care of our spiritual clothing as well. Deuteronomy 4:9 AMP has some good advice: "Only pay attention and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life."

When was the last time you checked your spiritual garments for tears, stains, or wrinkles? Is any of your clothing missing? It is only by watching and keeping that we can keep our garments spotless and wrinkle-free.

A tender heart is a wakeful, watchful heart. It watches against sin in the soul, sin in the family, sin in the calling, sin in spiritual duties and performances.
— John Bunyan