I think I am like most people in that I love compliments. I don’t try to keep up with the latest fashions but I do try to look presentable. I even dress sometimes in something I think the person I am meeting with will like. Because I love compliments, I try to compliment others and hope that it is taken in the way it is intended—to uplift their spirits.
When I go to the gym, I see a lot of folks who have “look at me” behavior. There are overly muscled men and well-developed women who dress to show off their physiques. Sometimes I wonder if they have the wrong focus, and often, in my estimation, it seems they do.
But what about our role as Christians? What should we be our focus? I think God is a lot more interested in our character than our outward appearance. What if I prayed as I am getting dressed for God to improve my character? Make me more like Him? What if we encouraged others by commenting on their Christlike behavior? What does the Bible tell us?
“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23
Perhaps we should aim to affirm others when we see someone acting out one of the fruits of the Spirit. Perhaps this will help shift our focus in the right direction. I am going to try to do this going forward.