Apostle Peter admonished believers not to concentrate on the “outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but … the hidden man of the heart … which is in the sight of God of great price.” As believers, we must have true conviction of modesty of apparel based on the word of God. We are to take care of our spiritual lives more than our physical appearance. Rather than allow worldly fashion to inspire what we wear, we should appear neat and presentable to the Lord.
 
When God called Jacob to go to Bethel, Jacob commanded his household to “put away the strange gods … be clean, and change (their) garments.” In obedience, they surrendered “all the strange” things in their possession and God preserved them.
 
Nothing should be too difficult for us to give up in our lives. The scripture clearly states that “the woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord.” The Lord will seek accountability from those who compromise with the world in their “strange apparel.”
 
Apostle Paul exhorts women to “adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety.” Unlike unbelievers who are passionate about earthly things, we should set our affection on things above and not compromise with the world in everything including dressing. It is such total consecration that will attract God’s anointing.
 
The anointing of the Lord is important for all believers. We should not be concerned about the things that glitter or appear attractive to the people of the world. The power of the Holy Ghost and the mantle of the anointed that enables us to do exploits for the Lord should be our utmost interest. Elisha’s consecration and commitment not to leave his master, got him the power of the Holy Spirit through the mantle of Elijah. “And it came to pass, when they were gone over that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.” He received the power and performed many miracles.
 
God also “wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: so that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.”
 
Our lives and mantles should carry the power and anointing of God to heal and deliver. If our garment pleases the Lord, He will cause His blessings to come upon us and His glory will clothe us. As we remain modest and uncompromising, every “burden shall be taken away from off (our) shoulder … and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.”
 
• Further reading (King James Version): Philippians 4:5; 1 Peter 4:7; 1 Corinthians 7: 29-31, 35; Philippians 4:5; Isaiah 14:12-17; Genesis 3:1-6; 11:3-7; Exodus 15:9-13; 2 Samuel 15:1-6; 18:9,10,15; Ecclesiastes 5:10; Hebrews 13:5, 6; 2 Peter 3:10-14; Philippians 4:5; 1 Peter 3:3-6; Genesis 35:1-5; Deuteronomy 22:5; Zephaniah 1:8, 9; Isaiah 3:16-24; 1 Timothy 2:9-11,15; Judges 8:22-27; Psalm 73:6-12,16-26; Jude 1:21-25. 2 Kings 2: 8, 9; Acts 19:11,12; Isaiah 52:1,2; 10:27; Esther 6:6-13; 8:15-17; 10:3.