“Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Romans 13:13-14, NIV)
To be clothed “with the Lord Jesus Christ” is as much of a choice for each of us as deciding what to wear each morning.
The “flesh,” represents all of the things that influence our choices: What to eat, what to drink, what to wear, where to live, what to drive, what to do to make a living.
None of these things are bad, per se. In fact, Jesus acknowledged the necessity of food, water, clothing, and shelter in His “Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew 6:25-34).
Yet, each day we have the freedom to choose whether we will be clothed with the Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, choosing to have God feed both body and spirit; or, instead, devoting all of our attention to addressing our physical cravings, while neglecting the hunger of spirit that food cannot satisfy, that possessions cannot touch, and that money cannot buy.
Jesus said that we “do not live by bread alone” (Matthew 4:4). Are our daily choices evidence of our belief in these words and the Person who uttered them — or in something (or someone) else? – Luther
