Put On

                 That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:20-24) 

When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.” (Luke 11:24-26)

 

Yesterday’s blog was about getting rid of the foreign, ungodly parts of our lives like the Israelites sent away their foreign wives at Ezra’s instruction. Today is more along the same lines. We are to put off our old selves, like an old, dirty, torn garment, and put on a new self that is righteous and holy.

This is a key to the challenge of yesterday. We are to get a divorce from the bad behaviors and attitudes in our lives, but just kicking them to the curb isn’t helpful. Our bad habits and behaviors are like the unclean spirit mentioned in Luke 11. But it’s even worse than the passage describes. You may kick the habit out, but it has lived with you for a long time. It knows what buttons to push. It knows the weak places in the walls, floors, and ceilings. It knows the secret doors and hidden staircases by which they can sneak in and take over again.

It is not enough to divorce a behavior. One needs to put on Christ. One needs to marry good behaviors. Polyamory is permitted – even expected – with good behaviors and habits. It does not good to empty your house. You must also bring into it new tenants. You must not only take off the rags but put on Christ.

So, my question of the day is – what am I going to do instead of eating when my body says, “I’m hungry!” (Note, it’s likely that I’m more bored than hungry – lacking a good, positive stimulus.) And what are you going to do instead of whatever it is that you want to kick out or take off?