Put On The Lord Jesus Christ

Jesus knows that in our own strength and with our own wisdom we are no match for the devil, regardless of how educated and experienced we might be. This is why Jesus told His disciples to watch and pray (Matthew 26:41) and to keep on the alert at all times (Luke 21:36).

Paul realized that the moment we drop our guard and make even a tiny compromise, we provide a crack in the door for Satan to come in and wound us. Because of this, Paul warned the believers in Romans 13:14, “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh in its concupiscences.” With this verse Paul means that we ourselves are responsible to make no provision, that is, to give no chance and no opportunity for the flesh in regard to its lusts or concupiscences.

The flesh represents my old nature, which is totally selfish, rebellious, undisciplined and unwilling to obey God. Its lusts are the lures and ways of fulfilling the desires of this nature, which manifests itself in greed, envy, pride, immorality, self-gratification at the expense of others, anger and so on.

Along the way, when you find yourself suddenly affected by any of these symptoms, Paul declares that this does not happen to you by chance. According to Romans 13:14, somewhere in the past you gave a little room, a little secret thought to the flesh.

Do you remember when you felt jealous? Do you remember when you allowed pride to take over? Or a filthy imagination came into your mind that you lingered on?All these were only thoughts and feelings not followed by drastic outward actions, and you entertained them only for a few brief moments or days before you laid them aside. You considered them not important enough to ask forgiveness or to confess them to the Lord to receive His cleansing. However, hell noticed and made a record of it on your wanted poster. These very incidents become the weak spots that give the enemy the opportunity, a few months or years later, to be successful in an attack on you.

Our responsibility to prevent this from happening is twofold:

First of all, we must walk in the light and immediately receive cleansing and forgiveness for even what seem to be insignificant failures and sins.

Second, the Bible instructs us that we must put on the Lord Jesus Christ. This means that I must consciously and deliberately put Him on like clothing, until all of me is covered by all of Him. This is how I will look:

His mind becomes mine and I will think the way He thinks. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5)
His ears become mine and they hear what the Father speaks. “Many things I have to speak and to judge of you. But he that sent me, is true: and the things I have heard of him, these same I speak in the world.” (John 8:26).
His hands, His feet, His mouth will become mine and they will all cooperate to go, to proclaim freedom, deliverance and healing to others. “And going, preach, saying: The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils: freely have you received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:7–8). “And he said to them: Go ye into the whole world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15).
His will becomes mine and I desire nothing that He would not want. “Jesus saith to them: My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, that I may perfect his work.” (John 4:34).
His heart, with His kindness, love and compassion, will become mine. “This is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you.” (John 15:12).
His servant hood will become the way I serve. “If then I being your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; you also ought to wash one another's feet.” (John 13:14). “It shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be the greater among you, let him be your minister: And he that will be first among you, shall be your servant. Even as the Son of man is not come to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a redemption for many.” (Matthew 20:26–28).
His humility and gentleness will become part of my character. “Take up my yoke upon you, and learn of me, because I am meek, and humble of heart: and you shall find rest to your souls.” (Matthew 11:29).

It all starts with my deliberate decision to put on Jesus instead of making room for my flesh to have its own way.

The Bible tells us that our flesh must be crucified: “And they that are Christ's, have crucified their flesh, with the vices and concupiscences.” (Galatians 5:24).

Never expect this to happen automatically! My flesh does not crucify itself. I must do it.

The Holy Spirit will direct and help me—but only as far as I am willing to go. Without crucifying the flesh, there is no way to put on Jesus. It is either one or the other.

If I put on Jesus to cover every part of my being, the devil will not find a single weak point, because now through Jesus my weakness has become my strength (2 Corinthians 12:10).

Remember, as long as you are a hindrance to Satan’s kingdom, you will remain on his “most wanted” list.