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?