Scripture tells us that before we came to saving faith in Jesus, we walked around dead in our trespasses following the world and its course (Ephesians 2). But now in Christ, we are made alive—new creations. As Christians, there are things of our former nature that we must now put off or take off (Ephesians 4:22); there are things of our new nature that we must now put on. Romans 13:14 tells us to “…put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”
So what exactly are we expected to put off and put on? Let me offer a few examples:
Put off a lack of love; put on love.
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. … If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen” (1 John 4:7-8, 20).
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12).
Putt off all bitterness; put on tenderheartedness and forgiveness.
“See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no ‘root of bitterness’ springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled” (Hebrews 12:15).
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).
Putt off selfishness; put on self denial.
“For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 2:21).
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life” (John 12:24-25).
Put off pride; put on humility.
“Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD;
be assured, he will not go unpunished” (Proverbs 16:5).
“But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6).
Put off ungratefulness; put on gratefulness.
“For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened” (Romans 1:21).
“giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20)
Put off slothfulness; put on wholeheartedness.
“Whoever is slack in his work
is a brother to him who destroys”
(Proverbs 18:9)
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men” (Colossians 3:23).
There are several others on this list. What about you? What would you add to this list?
Jim Schultz says
February 15, 2012 at 5:29 amPUT OFF THE OLD AND PUT ON THE NEW, WOW, GOOD ONE.
Putting off the old man nature is said many different ways,
basically put off the old thought patterns, behaviors, ways of how you thought worldly, carnal minded.
Put on the new man, the inner man, and yes many way to communicate that as well, according to the word. Basically the inner man is the gift, and when we us it, use it with the Word.
What does the Word say how to think really, and when we renew our minds to the Word, were putting off the old ways and putting on the new ways(being the Word, or God’s Will).
Yes, it takes time to renew our minds on certain subjects at times, but we have the household to help. Help with what? Our thought patterns, isn’t this the main point here? To get our thought on God and then thank Him for rescuing us out of the mental chains(old man).
Remember one of the most important things about putting off the old and putting on the new, we have to apply both. If we try to just put on the new and don’t get rid of the old, guess what, the old doesn’t go away does it?
To get rid of the old, you have to REPLACE it with the NEW.
God Bless
Have Fun Speaking God’s Word Today
Jim Schultz
James Taylor says
February 15, 2012 at 6:41 amWe should put off complaining about those in authority of our towns,cities, and nation, and pray for our leaders. God is ABLE to change the hearts and minds of men.
Act 23:5 Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.
“Now unto him that is ABLE to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” (Ephesians 3:20)
We should put on prayerfulness
1Ti 2:1 ¶ I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, [and] giving of thanks, be made for all men;
1Ti 2:2 For kings, and [for] all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
Jim Schultz says
February 15, 2012 at 5:02 pmI agree IF their willing, God can’t force anyone to change, But yes, God is the searcher of all hearts isn’t He?
If I was being challenged in the complaining category, how would I go about changing my mind, if I was willing? How would I do it?
Good Day
Nick Ramirez says
February 15, 2012 at 7:10 amFirst of all I would like to that BLB for this daily blessing of God’s word.
The holy spirit’s focus for me this week has been about denying the flesh of it’s wordly desires. This doesn’t come easy for me all the time but like the word says in Roms. 13:14, “put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provisions for the flesh to gratify its desires”. As a Christian its so easy to get locked in to our daily routine as husbands, employees, coaches, etc…and we begin to think we have the power to fight the flesh by just saying no and without the help from our Heavenly Father. For me this has been the case and I would get lazy and think, I’m disciplined enough, I can do this. I felt satan was trying to convince me I’m good enough to do it alone. Soon later I would fail, which led me to fall to my knees and ask God for forgiveness.
Brothers and Sister of Christ, we must take up our cross daily! no matter how big the matter, pray and seek the wisdom and faith of Jesus Christ. I have tried so many times to do it on my own but its not possible.
Thank you once againg for such a beautiful message of ephesians 2. What a blessing it was to read. Please pray that God will continue to lead me and give me the strength to run the good race. As I will pray the same for you also.
God is Good,
Nick Ramirez
Tony Romero says
February 15, 2012 at 9:47 amThere is a wonderful chart of what to put off and what to replace it with here. http://blb.sc/0000EH Over 78 very personal items are listed with accompanying Scripture references. I have used this table when examining myself to see whether I am in the faith or not. I have used it to identify issue areas in my life that need the touch of God for repentance and sanctification. I have also used it to praise and bless the God of heaven who has through His grace, been my deliverance and salvation.
Debi C.--Portland, Oregon says
February 17, 2012 at 6:09 amI just looked at that list you referred to. I never knew that was here in the Blue Letter Bible pages! What a wonderful source!
Jim Schultz says
February 15, 2012 at 5:36 pmRomans 12:2 is a great verse on how to put on the new man.
Here’s another great one, God encourages us to THINK on these things, therefore putting on, if we think on, were putting on.
Phl 4:8 ¶ Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.
I have a really cool way to put on the Word, or a way to help us renew our minds to God’s Word. I have a rubber wrist ban that says “It Is Written” on it. I pick a negative out of the Word like complaining or thinking evil or gossiping or whatever. This helps and works great, every time I complain (if I’m working on that one), I switch the wrist ban to the other wrist, and by doing this, it gives you a good idea how much your complaining. After awhile, you totally stop complaining about whatever, because your replacing it with the Word in some shape or form. Don’t make it hard, it’s that easy, I shared this with a lot of people and it works.
There’s many other ways to help us renew our mind or put on the new man according to the Word, but people love this one, even their kids love it.
God Bless, Your the Best,
Trent Thompson says
February 16, 2012 at 4:59 amWow Nick,
I’m right with you. Over the past 8 months it’s been only thru my love relationship with Jesus am I able to “put on” and certainly “take off”. I can’t walk with Jesus in my own power, or determination. I have and will continue to train wreck the relationships around me. I sense Nick that you are on the correct path for victoroius living. Not to be prescriptive I just wanted to testify as to how Christ is working in me . 1- In relationship with Jesus I’m able to press my sins into Christ. 2- Deeply and transparently confess my sins and vocalize those who have sinned against me. 3 – Lay at the foot of the cross and allow the Holy Spirit to lubricate every hardened, and cracked sore in my heart. These few steps have enabled me to put on Christ. What say you?
Nick Ramirez says
February 16, 2012 at 6:32 pmTrent,
Thank you for the words of encouragement the Lord gave you to speak. The few steps you mentioned could not describe my feelings any better than what you shared. Another thing I would like to add is recently God has been giving me this feeling to reach out to others who seem to be hurting or lost in the world. It has been a scary thing just saying whatever the Holy Spirit puts on your heart but once all said and done…wooo, it feels good!
I will continue to chew the cud on what you have shared with me and I am very thankful you shared with me how God is working and giving you the strenth to run the race!
God Bless,
Nick