The Act of Putting off and Putting on
Since life is full of choices, knowing which path to take can often seem challenging. Yet, the correct path is usually the least traveled one, and it requires effort, work, and dedication, to remain there. For this reason, the Apostle Paul addressed the church at Colossae with a simple methodology of putting off and putting on when traveling the narrow path.
In Colossians 3:8, Paul penned these words, But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communications out of your mouth.
Our mouths tend to speak what is on our minds. Therefore, Paul encourages believers to put off things that disturb their walk on the narrow path. To grasp the concept of putting off, one must understand how the exoskeleton works. Reptiles like snakes shed their entire skins or exoskeleton. This process is known as ecdysis, and it can take a few hours or several weeks, yet it is necessary to reveal healthier and newer skin. When the process ends, the snake never returns to its old skin to reclaim it. Similarly, a butterfly never returns to its cocoon after emerging. Likewise, when a believer accepts Jesus, the believer becomes complete and does not need to return to his old ways. So, Paul encourages all believers to put off anger…filthy communication and put on the following to keep from returning to old ways of doing things.
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man has a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all, these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. Colossians 3:12-14
The act of putting off and putting on allows the believers to travel the narrow path of resistance. As a result of this mental act of putting off and putting on, the believers can resist negative influences while embracing positive resolutions. It requires the believers to let go of the things dragging them down consciously, simultaneously allowing them to focus on growth through mercy, kindness, humbleness, meekness, and longsuffering. Finally, as believers practice forgiveness, it relieves unnecessary stress while allowing them to practice love.
So, the act of putting off and putting on enables the believers to travel the narrow path of life through mental effort, work, and determination. As a result of the mental act of putting off and putting on, the believers can resist negative influences while embracing positive resolutions. Now, their focus is on the things that aid growth and success instead of reacting to negative consequences with anger and wrath. Finally, as believers practice putting off and putting on, this process relieves unnecessary stress while allowing them to practice love leading to perfection.
Remember don't lose sight of the act of putting off and putting on when life gets tough. Life is full of ups and downs, and it can be easy to get overwhelmed. So never forget to take the time to recognize the simple, yet powerful, acts of putting off and putting on.
