Putting Off - Putting On

There are 3 main passages where Paul talks about putting off something from our lives. This is a work that we are called to do…these things don’t magically fall away from us – we have to do something deep (and often difficult) in our hearts, minds and actions to lay these things aside as if we were taking off a garment. Decisions have to be made, and changes have to be accomplished in order for this "putting off" to occur. It is a work of genuine repentance and grace. (See more on repentance HERE). "Putting off" must be a very important concept, as Paul spoke about it with the Churches in Rome, Ephesus and Colosse:

(These are NKJV and NLT versions)

1. Rom. 13:12 The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. 13 Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. 14 Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.

2. Eph. 4:22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,


3. Col. 3:8-9 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth

Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,


Here is the list of things that we are asked to take off:

• Dark, sinful deeds

• Revelry (wild parties)

• Drunkenness

• Immorality

• Quarreling

• Jealousy

• The old man – the old sinful nature – all of it

• Lust

• Deception

• Anger

• Wrath (rage)

• Malice

• Slander

• Filthy language or speaking

• Lying

Then we also have work to do in order to put on the likeness of Christ – these characteristics that make us like Him in every way. The Lord doesn't strip us, only to leave us bare and empty - He fills us with life and treasures that are so much better and more fulfilling than anything we knew before! Notice (below) that the verse in Romans tells us that we have “clothe ourselves” in these characteristics - it is exactly like putting on a new coat. When the Lord is finished with putting these things into our lives, we might look nothing like our former selves - we are clothed in Christ's nature. Once again there is work that we have to do. These character traits don't just appear in us because we let something go...we must apprehend them in prayer, and walk into them by faith:

• The presence of the Lord (the very best place to start)

• The Armor of God

• Peace

• Shield of Faith

• Salvation

• The Sword of the Spirit

• New nature

• Renewed thoughts

• Renewed attitudes

• Righteousness and holiness

• Tender mercies

• Kindness

• Humility

• Meekness (gentleness)

• Longsuffering (patience)

• Forgiveness

• Love

I know which list I want to be found in!!

Key verses:

           

Romans 13:12-14 The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy.
Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.

Gal. 3:27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.

Eph. 4:22-24 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.
Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.
Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

Eph. 6:11, 13-17 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.


Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.
For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.
In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Colossians 3:10, 12-15 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;

bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Ps. 30:11

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;

You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness