Firefighters know what to put on before going into a burning building.
Soldiers know what to put on before going into combat.
Police officers know what to put on before going into the line of fire.
As a believer, do you know what to put on so you will be ready for war? That is the war of the flesh and the Spirit (1 Peter 2:11, James 4:1). The desires of the flesh are against the Spirit and vice versa (Gal. 5:17, Rom. 7:22-23). It's a constant fight. We need to continuously be in the act of "putting off and putting on". Here are a couple of passages that further explain this -
Colossians 3
Put off - Sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. (v.5,8)
Put on - Compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bearing with one another, forgiving each other, and above all these put on love. (v. 12-14)
Ephesians 4
Put off - Bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, and malice.(v.31)
Put on - Kindness, tenderhearted, and forgiving one another. (v. 32)
Basically we fight the flesh and the schemes of the devil by putting on the whole armor of God (Eph 6:10-18). Are you physically fully clothed, but spiritually naked? What's the condition of your heart? God is ultimately concerned about the state of your heart because from it flow the springs of life (Prov 4:23). So each morning, be sure to "dress" your heart!
2 comments:
definitely need help getting dressed some mornings. I don't know why consistent quiet times are so hard.. ok I do... satan, but still...\
I am so appreciative of your post Caryn. Pridefully, I used to think that I was fully armored and ready for war, but over the past few months the Lord has helped me to realize that what I put on spiritually is not too different from what I put on physically. I am a shorts and t-shirt guy, even since living in the Midwest these past few months I continue to wear shorts and a t-shirt 95% of the time. The Lord has helped me to realize that spiritually, just putting on shorts and a t-shirt still leaves too much exposed for an attack. The Lord has used the last few months to let me some of the areas that I am exposed; however, until I read your post today, I had not considered that the reason that the exposed areas continue to be a struggle is because I have not done chosen to spiritually put something on. Just being aware of the exposure doesn't mean the enemy won't continue to attack the exposed areas. Thanks again for your post Caryn and I am going to look in the closet to see what I should put on.
David Ross
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