What’s In Your Pantry?
“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to gratify its desires" Romans 13:14 (CSB).
Putting On Christ
To a large degree, the whole biblical counseling movement began with the concept of putting off and putting on, found in this verse in Romans as well as passages in Ephesians and Colossians. Much has been written about the Ephesians and Colossians texts, but I would like to focus a little closer on this text in Romans because here Paul is not calling us to remove bad behavior and put on good behavior—he’s telling us to put on Christ. What does that mean? Since context is the only way to ensure we get a correct interpretation, we must look at what Paul wrote before and after verse 14 to see where this sentence is in his argument.
Love One Another
You really need to go back to verse 8 to find the theme of this passage. Paul spends the first part of chapter 13 telling the Romans Christians to respect the government and pay their taxes. The focus shifts in verse 8, where he says we shouldn’t owe anything to anyone except love. He summarizes this thought in verse 10: “Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Love, therefore, is the fulfillment of the law.”
There is a change in direction that comes in verse 11, but the theme remains the same. He’s telling the Romans that the time is drawing short for them to fulfill the law by loving each other, so here’s how to do it. First, “…discard the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light” (12). Second, “…walk with decency, as in the daytime” (13). Then he describes what that looks like by negation. So, when he gets to verse 14, he is summarizing his teaching. The Hallquist paraphrase would be something like, “So here’s what I’m saying. If you’re going to love others, you have to be covered over with Jesus.”
The Jesus Topcoat
Many believers seem to prefer Jesus Under Armour. It’s not that Jesus is not present with them. It’s that he is not visible to others. I’ve encountered more than a few people who, when asked about their faith, say something like, “I believe in Jesus. My faith is just a very personal thing to me.” When you “put on the Lord Jesus Christ,” he goes on the outside. Christ is the first thing others notice about you. You don’t have to wear a Jesus t-shirt, a big silver cross, and carry a giant Bible. But the Christlikeness of your words and actions should be the most noticeable thing about you in the eyes of others.
Soldiers don’t wear civilian clothes. Their uniform is what separates them from non-military people. And when they are in uniform, they understand they are representing something greater than themselves—not just their branch of service but their very nation. We who name the name of Christ should gladly adorn the uniform of the Kingdom of Heaven, which above all things is Christ’s love (Col 3:14).
Make No Provision
Now for the final phrase— “make no provision for the flesh to gratify its desires.” I quipped to a friend of mine that this basically means you shouldn’t keep junk food in your pantry. Though I was intending to be funny, it’s really a pretty good analogy. If cookies are in the jar, I will eat them. If ice cream is in the freezer, I will get a scoop or two. If potato chips are in the pantry, they won’t last long. I know myself well enough to know these things should not be available for the weak moments when my taste buds try to take control.
Let’s break down Paul’s words. First, make no provision. We all experience fleshly desires for things that are at most sinful or ungodly, and at least not beneficial. If I make no provision, I don’t have things laying around that can tempt me to desire. James gives us the progression. “But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death” (James 1:14-15 CSB). The best way to stop the progression is to not get it started. In the words of the great theologian Barney Fife, “You gotta nip it in the bud!”
Second, for the flesh. Provision for the flesh never leads to the profit of the spirit. When we recognize it is our flesh crying out, we should respond with, “Crucify him!” What receives nourishment will grow strong. The more you nourish the flesh, the more you will be tempted. The more you are tempted, the more you will sin. Feed the spirit (Spirit) in you, not the flesh.
Third, to gratify its desires. The flesh never desires what the spirit requires. It is the antithesis of that which is pleasing to God. We were made to gratify the desires of whatever rules us. It is incongruent to name the name of Christ, to wear the uniform of Heaven, and to gratify the desires of a rival king.
Now that I’ve summarized the text, let me summarize my thoughts? You’ve all seen the Capital One commercials that conclude with the question, “What’s in your wallet?” So, let me ask you (and me), what’s in your pantry? Are you starving the flesh and feeding the spirit? If so, you are putting on the Lord Jesus Christ. Subsequently, those who see you will see less and less of you and more and more of Jesus. May he increase as we decrease.
