As we near the Easter season, we’re reminded that Jesus died to take the punishment for our sins to remove the barrier between us and God. What a wonderful gift He gave us! However, we are also told in Colossians 3:8 to “Put off anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, and filthy communication out of your mouth.” So even though we’ve been forgiven and restored to right relationship with God, apparently we have a part to play in “putting off” our sins. How exactly do we do that?

Years ago when I was wrestling with being consistently obedient in one area of my life, our pastor introduced me to the concept of “spiritual affirmations.” He suggested I come up with an affirmation that reflected my choice to obey God in this area and repeat it each day. Why do we need to do it each day? Because the first time we send that message to our sub-conscious, a little guy down there will respond, “No Way!”  We have to keep sending the message until that little guy believes we are serious about obedience.

I’ve used many spiritual affirmations over the years, including the strategy of “Putting Off.”  As I washed the dishes or drove to an appointment, I would begin the abc’s of this affirmation: “I put off anger, bitterness, criticizing, envy, fear, guilt, hatred, irritability, jealousy…” or whatever the Holy Spirit brought to mind for each letter of the alphabet. It was an effective way to send the message to my inner being that I was choosing to get rid of each sinful character trait.

In the accompanying “Putting On” strategy, I used the qualities we’re told to put on in verse twelve of Colossians three as though I were putting on articles of clothing: “I put on compassion, gentleness, humility, kindness, patience and over all those, love.” (Alphabetical order was easier to remember.) Once again I sent the message to myself that emulating these qualities was my choice. I was cooperating in a Holy Spirit make over!

Change is never easy, but if we are serious about putting off the old and putting on the new, I believe the Holy Spirit will give us creative ways to participate in the process. It always begins with a choice.

Thank you, Father, that as we choose to cooperate with the Holy Spirit, you work in us both to will and to do your good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13)