Putting Off and Putting On
The Bible presents a very simple plan for overcoming sinful habits. It speaks of putting off and putting on. The Apostle Paul in Ephesians presents this simple battle plan for defeating sin. He wrote, "That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.'' (Ephesians 4:22-24)
Paul tells the members of the Church at Ephesus that they should be different now that they have been born again. They should stop doing the wicked things they used to do. They should put off their old sinful habits.
They are also to become new people. They are to replace their old sinful habits with new godly habits. It is almost impossible just to stop doing wrong. We may stop for a time but eventually we will fall back into our old ways. We must not only stop doing wrong; we must also start doing what is right. We must replace the bad with the good if we want to have a lasting victory. This is the advice that Paul gave.
Back in Ephesians Paul continues his discussion by giving examples of putting off and putting on. He wrote, "Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath; neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.'' (Ephesians 4:25-28)
Paul says that a liar should not only stop lying but also should force himself to constantly tell the truth. A person who gets angry should learn to deal with his anger immediately and not harbor grudges. A person who steals should not only stop stealing but should start working and then give some of what he earns to the needy!
Paul tells the members of the Church at Ephesus that they should be different now that they have been born again. They should stop doing the wicked things they used to do. They should put off their old sinful habits.
They are also to become new people. They are to replace their old sinful habits with new godly habits. It is almost impossible just to stop doing wrong. We may stop for a time but eventually we will fall back into our old ways. We must not only stop doing wrong; we must also start doing what is right. We must replace the bad with the good if we want to have a lasting victory. This is the advice that Paul gave.
Back in Ephesians Paul continues his discussion by giving examples of putting off and putting on. He wrote, "Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath; neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.'' (Ephesians 4:25-28)
Paul says that a liar should not only stop lying but also should force himself to constantly tell the truth. A person who gets angry should learn to deal with his anger immediately and not harbor grudges. A person who steals should not only stop stealing but should start working and then give some of what he earns to the needy!
posted by David Frank Wilson | 12:51 PM
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