Don’t Just Dress for Success—Dress for Significance

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. —Ephesians 6:11 (NIV)

“What’s the dress?” That’s a question my wife, Sharon, has asked me with every social invitation in our 42 years of marriage. We all know the importance of showing up dressed appropriately—avoiding the embarrassment of being over- or underdressed. In our culture, appearance signals readiness.

Back in 1975, John T. Molloy captured this reality in his bestseller Dress for Success. His message was simple: the right wardrobe can open doors in business and life. For the first time, clothing was treated not just as fashion but as strategy.

The Bible, however, calls us to something far greater. Not to dress for success, but to dress for significance—eternal significance. Paul puts it plainly:

“Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” —Ephesians 4:24

And again:

“Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.” —Romans 13:14

The new self is who we are in Christ. The armor of God (Eph. 6) is how we walk that out daily in a world of unseen opposition.

How do we actually do this? Here’s one idea: engage your God-given imagination. Beyond our morning routines of exercise, showering, and dressing, we can add a spiritual routine—clothing ourselves in Christ.

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Dressing for Significance: New Self, Lord, and Armor

As we pray, using Psalm 51 as a “spiritual shower” and Ephesians 6 as our wardrobe checklist, we put on:

• His righteousness — an outer garment and breastplate, pure and white as snow.
• The belt of truth — our core convictions, shaping a biblical worldview.
• The sandals of the gospel of peace — walking in shalom, wholeness, reconciliation.
• The shield of faith — Paul names it a shield; I picture it as a bold red sash, flowing diagonally across our chest.
  • A sign to the unseen world.
  • Sealed by his blood, belonging to the family of God.
• The helmet of salvation — our unshakable identity: at once the laurel wreath of an Olympic victor and the crown of royal children of God.
• The sword of the Spirit — the Word of God, sharper than any double-edged sword.

Skipping this practice would be like leaving the house spiritually naked.

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“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” —Colossians 3:12

Dressing for significance may go unnoticed by human eyes, but it is unmistakable to “the powers and principalities of this dark world” (Eph. 6:12). To them, it signals danger: the advance of God’s Kingdom and the reclaiming of ground once lost. As John wrote, “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

So before you leave home tomorrow, don’t just check your appearance in the mirror. Check your armor.

Run the play. Dress for significance.

Like the old American Express tagline said: Don’t leave home without it.

💬 Finding Our Place in the Story

In what ways do you currently “dress for success” in your daily life, and how might God be inviting you to instead “dress for significance”?

Which piece of the armor of God feels most natural for you to put on, and which feels most neglected or difficult? Why?

How might intentionally clothing yourself in Christ each morning reshape the way you engage your family, work, and community throughout the day?