Last year his week I had a suit fitting after a month-long wait for my suit to be made by my tailor. The fitting process was quite simple, with the tailor being attentive and helpful in suggesting corrections to the garments.
Like any suit, fit and finish is of highest importance. You do not want a suit that makes you look too fat nor too skinny; a good suit will fit your body to almost pinpoint accuracy.
Achieving such fit and finish comes at a cost, one cannot compare a $200 suit off the rack to a $700 or even a $1000 suit that is measured and tailored to your specifications.
A mark of success
For the modern man, a good suit is not only a mark of success, but it is also modern day armour. Like knights of the medieval ages or soldiers of armies, the suit is both protection and a uniform.
Depending on the colour and material, a suit speaks to the quality of a man’s character, personality, and reflects the way a man wants to present himself. On the average working day, it is the first thing the world sees, and the last thing the man sees before he goes to bed.
Within church, clergy have always worn a special garment or followed a special dress code to signify that they are servants of God and the Church. Whether this is a priest’s collar, a gown, a chasuble, or in less traditional churches, a suit; these signify that the man at the altar is there to preach the Word and to administer sacraments.
The way he dresses signifies his dignity and his occupation.
A suit of a different kind
St Paul brings this very same imagery to Christians in his letter to the Ephesians. In chapter 6, verses 10-18, Paul uses the imagery of a soldier’s armour to remind us of the need to wear the full armour of God:
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.”
The modern Christian may survive without a suit, but he won’t survive without the armour of God. Wearing it every day is as essential as eating, and like the difference between a cheap suit and a good suit, ensuring that the various components of the armour of God is up to His standards is a daily exercise.
Naturally, this comes at the cost of our time for devotion, and perseverance through trials and temptations. Yet the reward is that the Christian can continue to thrive and survive against any schemes of evil because the suit has fulfilled its purpose.
Through Paul, God reveals to us a suit designed for us to use throughout all ages, in all kinds of trials and troubles. Unlike a suit cut from cloth, the armour of God allows us to spiritually fight with prayer and to stand firm in the face of trial, just like the Romans did when they conquered the world through the power of their discipline and equipment.
I’m sure once I receive my suit in the following weeks my tailor will give me specific care instructions to ensure the longevity of its use.
Yet, God’s suit of armour is greater and more valuable than any garment that can be ruined by the stain of wine or the burn of a cigarette.
Let’s take care of our suits.
Jack is studying Commerce and Arts at Macquarie University, he is part of a family of five, his hobbies include computer gaming, football, learning languages, and church history. He attends Gracepoint Presbyterian, and occasionally, St Paul’s Anglican in Burwood.
Jack Liang previous articles may be viewed at