You’ve probably heard the phrase used before that “they’re such a put on.” implying that someone is hypocritical. However, is this necessarily the case? When someone chooses to act in a way contradictory to their nature, is this hypocrisy? Perhaps not…
There are many things that God calls us to “put on” throughout scripture. Why do I have to put something on? Well, because it’s not something that I naturally come equipped with. Clothing is a suitable (pun intended) analogy of these things. Each one of us came into this world butt naked – we all need to “put on” clothing. This isn’t just a one-time event, either. This is something that we continue to do throughout the course of our lives. Also, what clothing we wear changes as the seasons and immediate circumstances change. This is no different in the spiritual sense as it is in the physical sense.
Sanctification. It’s a big, churchy word. It’s meaning, however, is simple. It is the process through which we are set apart for use by God. It’s the process through which we take off our old self and “put on” our new self. It begins when we first are saved and continues throughout our lives. Just as we intentionally choose what to wear, we intentionally choose which of these things to “put on”.
When it’s cold outside, I put on jeans and a jacket. I could continue to wear shorts and a T-shirt, but I’ve learned that there is a better way and a better choice that I am able to make. When I’ve made a mistake, my old self might have quickly defended my actions and blamed something or someone else. However, I now choose to put on my new self and choose to rather apologize and make things right by putting on humility.
It’s not hypocrisy, it’s transformation. It’s not putting on a show, it’s showing what is right. It’s not trying to impress, it’s trying to improve.
Now, take off that condemnation from being a “such a put on” and choose to joyfully “put on” that new self of yours unashamed! It looks good on you!
Colossians 3:9-14 (NIV) You have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Therefore, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. And over all these virtues, put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Ephesians 6:11-17 (NIV) Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.