What Christians Are Commanded to "Put Off" and "Put On" Through the Scriptures:
1) What Christians Are Commanded to "Put Off"
The Scriptures instruct Christians to "put off" certain behaviors and characteristics associated with the old, sinful nature:
• Romans 13:12 (KJB) – "The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light."
• See verse 13 for more details: "Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying."
• Ephesians 4:22 (KJB) – "That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;"
• See verses 25-31 for more details, which list behaviors to put off, such as lying, anger, stealing, corrupt communication, bitterness, wrath, clamor, evil speaking, and malice.
• Colossians 3:8-9 (KJB) – "But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;"
• See verses 5-9 for more details, which include putting off fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, covetousness (which is idolatry), and lying.
2) What Christians Are Commanded to "Put On"
In contrast, the Scriptures command Christians to "put on" characteristics and virtues that reflect the new nature in Christ:
• Romans 13:12 (KJB) – "The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light."
• Romans 13:14 (KJB) – "But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof."
• Verse 13 provides context: "Let us walk honestly, as in the day…"
• Galatians 3:27 (KJB) – "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."
• Ephesians 4:24 (KJB) – "And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."
• Supporting verses provide further insight:
• Verse 15: "But speaking the truth in love…"
• Verse 23: "And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;"
• Verse 25: "Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour…"
• Ephesians 4:32 (KJB) – "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
• Ephesians 6:11 (KJB) – "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."
• Colossians 3:10 (KJB) – "And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:"
• Colossians 3:12 (KJB) – "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;"
• Colossians 3:14 (KJB) – "And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness."
