Rom 13:11-4 reminds us that what occupies our thinking will determine how we live. Eph 4:17-24 makes it plain that we have to live a different kind of life to how we used to live if we are to live wisely.

Putting on the new self is not like wearing an all-in-one suit which can be put on to cover every part of our bodies:

It is more like putting on individual pieces of armour:

However, we have a tendency to ‘mix and match’ the old and the new, trying to keep some elements of our ‘old life’ whilst putting on some aspects of the new (which Garry illustrated through this rather odd attire!)

We tend to live inconsistent lives precisely because of this mismatch. Eph 4:25-5:15 shows us how our lives need to be altered by our faith (speaking truthfully instead of lying, living honestly instead of stealing, avoiding sexual immorality, living in a way where we control our emotions rather than being controlled by them.)  We need to apply God’s word to our lives so that our reactions (which reflect our true state of spirituality) conform to what the Bible says.

Where there were gaps in a soldier’s armour, the soldier was open to being wounded in battle and rendered unfit for service. We need to ensure that we hold ourselves to Biblical standards and that we put on the armour of God, not living inconsistent lives but yielding wholeheartedly to God so that our lives reflect His nature.