“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” (Romans 13:14)

To make “provision for the flesh” is to set in place things that provide the flesh with the pleasures that it wants (the lusts of the flesh).

We know that the Bible tells us:

“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” (Galatians 5:17)

“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” (1 John 2:16)

We see in these verses, and in many other passages of God’s Word, that these three tactics are used to draw men into sin.

But, those of us who have been born-again of the Spirit of God, and are indwelt by the Spirit of God, are able to put on the Lord Jesus Christ. And He makes provision for the Spirit, instead of for the flesh. By “putting on” Jesus, we give Him control of our life; we give Him rule to take care of us – mind, body, and soul.

Since our “old man” is supposed to be dead, we should no longer seek to live that old life we once lived and seemingly enjoyed.

Of course, we are instructed to put off, or cast off, the works of darkness – before we put on the armour of light (Romans 13:12). Why? Because, “brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh” (Romans 8:12).

There is some truth in the saying, “Everybody has a dark side.” Better yet, for us who are saved, we have had a dark side in our past. For Colossians 1:12-13 says:

“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:”

Listen to what Jesus said in John 8:12:

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

And speaking to saved people, Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 5:5:

“Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.”

And Peter said in 1 Peter 2:9:

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”

In 1 Peter 2:11, Peter also begs us to put off, or cast off, the lusts of the flesh; only he uses the word “abstain”:

“Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;”

To put on the Lord Jesus Christ is to allow His Life to be lived through us who have trusted Him as our Lord and Savior. The Gospels give us a clear view of how He wants us to live as Men of God (Sons of God) while here on this earth. His three-and-a-half year recorded earthly ministry, and His thirty-three-and-a-half year life, are the examples of what we are able to put on. This is only by the Power of Holy Spirit teaching us, leading us, and guiding us; and by our yielding to Him. The Bible tells us:

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)

After all, He died for us; so we should at least live for Him.

I try to make it a practice to be obedient to Paul’s request in Romans 12:1-2. And by doing so, I allow God the Holy Spirit to manifest Jesus Christ to the world through the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23); because this fruit is being exhibited in and through my words and deeds.

The Fashion of Jesus Christ is very different from the popular fashion of the world. The world and those who love the fashion thereof will hate those who choose to put on the Lord Jesus Christ. But keep in mind that the fashion of the world will soon pass away; but the fashion that we have of Jesus Christ will last throughout eternity. Forever! Amen.

Making the choice each day that we are blessed to be in the land of the living and able to display a fashion that we favor; let’s make Jesus our choice by putting on Him.