Put Off or Put On?

This morning as I spent time with the Lord, I started to think about things that I needed to let go of. Years ago, I actually made a list. After reading it over, I thought about what it realy means to let go of something. I was reminded of the scriptures that speak about putting off and putting on, so I went to my Strong’s Concordance. I was curious about the original meaning behind it all and was once again enlightened.

In Ephesians 4:22 and 25, the words “put off” refer to putting aside or away. Putting off the things of the flesh and of the world is an active “doing,” an intentional act. It’s like taking off your coat—you either do or you don’t. How strange would it be to walk around with your coat half on. Putting on is also an intentional act—a choice. It means to sink into or clothe yourself with.

So, in light of the above meanings, I revised the list:

Put aside, put away hate—sink into and clothe yourself with love

Put aside, put away unforgiveness—sink into and clothe yourself with mercy

Put aside, put away judgment—sink into and clothe yourself with understanding

Put aside, put away lies—sink into and clothe yourself with truth

Put aside, put away apathy—sink into and colthe yourself with passion

Put aside, put away shortsightedness—sink into and clothe yourself with possibility

Put aside, put away limits—sink into and clothe yourself with dreams

Put aside, put away “can’t”—sink into and clothe yourself with “can”

Put aside, put away weakness—sink into and clothe yourself with strength

Put aside, put away uncertainty—sink into and clothe yourself with determination

Put  aside, put away hopelessness—sink into and clothe yourself with hope

Put aside, put away blindness—sink into and clothe yourself with vision

Put aside, put away fear—sink into and clothe yourself with safety

Put aside, put away confusion—sink into and clothe yourself with clarity

Put aside, put away rebellion—sink into and clothe yourself with acceptance

Put aside, put away carelessness—sink into and clothe yourself with purpose

Put aside, put away insecurities—sink into and clothe yourself with worth

Put aside, put away anger—sink into and clothe yourself with peace

Put aside, put away regret—sink into and clothe yourself with respect

Put aside, put away insensitivity—sink into and clothe yourself with gentle wisdom

Put aside, put away heartlessness—sink into and clothe yourself with patience

Put aside, put away malice—sink into and clothe yourself with kindness

Put aside, put away resentment—sink into and clothe yourself with benevolence

Put aside, put away pity —sink into and clothe yourself with empathy

Put aside, put away doubt—sink into and clothe yourself with belief

Put aside, put away humiliation—sink into and clothe yourself with grace

Put aside, put away captivity—sink into and clothe yourself with salvation's freedom

Put aside, put away the past—sink into and clothe yourself with the future

Put aside, put away tears—sink into and clothe yourself with joy

Put aside, put away transitory, worldly feelings, sink into and clothe yourself with the unchanging, depth of God's eternal Love.

We are called to put off, to put aside and to put away our inadequate old man “coat” and put on, sink into and clothe ourselves with the full armor of God’s provision and grace.

What do you need to put asde or away today?

Ephesians 4: 22; Ephesians 6:11.