Tag: new self
Off with the old! On with the new!
Scripture reading for August 28: Ephesians 4
“Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ!–assuming that you have heard about Him and were taught in Him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:17-24
Paul wrote plainly to the Ephesian converts about the process of transformation from pagan Gentile to righteous ‘new creation’ in Christ. It can be summed up by “off with the old and on with the new.” In their former lives as Gentiles, the church members were living in darkness because of ignorance and hard hearts that mark those outside of God’s family. Their lives were ‘futile’, that is without meaning or real purpose. Their hearts were callous and hardened to God and others because of selfishness and greed that marked their thinking and actions. Impurity was a way of life that alienated them from the life of God and set them up for judgment. This way of living must be put off like an old set of dirty clothes.
Believers who repent and put off the old man must now choose to clothe themselves with the ‘new man’. We renew our minds by gathering with God’s people to study His Word and learn from others how to live victoriously by faith. This new creation self is hungry for righteousness and holiness, reflecting the Holy Spirit from God Who is now leading us. As we consistently renew our minds and allow God’s grace to transform us, we reflect the likeness of God in ever-increasing measure.
How have you experienced this process of transformation from living in futility to a life of hope and joy? How do you seek to renew your mind each day? Do you feel that you have successfully taken off your old set of spiritual ‘clothes?’ What might you take off today in response to God’s Word?
Prayer: Father God, lead me daily by the Holy Spirit to remove any clinging ‘old clothes’ and to become fully ‘clothed’ with the Spirit of God. Use me to help others in the renewing of their minds through teaching and preaching Your Word. Amen.
Putting on Christ!
Scripture reading for August 29th: Ephesians 4
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Ephesians 4:22-27 “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires to be made new in the attitudes of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”
Disciples are teachable and must be instructed by mature believers how to walk in step with the Holy Spirit. Those who are born again of the Spirit no longer live like they did before. Changes must be made by decisive and willing actions. We repent of lying and deceit and choose to speak the truth in love. Even in situations where we may be angry, we deal honestly with our feelings in accordance with the truth of Scriptures. In doing so, we over-come our enemy who is a liar and murderer and preserve the unity of Christ’s body, the Church.
Observations for over-comers: True over-comers learn the discipline of choosing to put off our old self and put on the new self. Truthfulness and honest dealing with others are character traits that overcome our enemy, the devil. “Surely You desire truth in the inner parts; You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.” (Psalm 51:6)
A heavenly make-over!
Scripture reading for September 26th: Ephesians 4:17-32
“You were taught with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24)
After salvation, pastors and teachers begin to help new believers with what I call a “heavenly make-over.” God works through the Holy Spirit on our inner man and we must change our thinking and attitudes in order to put on the new man. This happens through sound doctrinal teaching of the word of God. We must put on the attitude of a disciple and humbly receive the Word. We also must put off the old man, recognizing its corruption. God wants to form us into the image and character of His Son but we must cooperate and make choices to allow this transformation to take place.
Paul, in his calling of pastor and teacher, goes on to detail what sort of changes need to be made. The new believer must cease lying and begin telling the truth. When angry, one must not let the sun go down on his anger because this gives the devil a foothold. (Ephesians 4:27) If you give him an inch, he will take a mile! If you have a problem stealing, go to work and become a giver to those who are needy. These practical changes seem like common sense to those who have walked with Christ. The world system is “normal” to the unsaved and newly converted.
This make-over will affect other areas of your life and attitudes. Our speech will change from vulgar and critical to loving and encouraging. Building up each other will be the new way instead of tearing each other down. We will develop a new sensitivity to the Holy Spirit who lives in us. The Holy Spirit will help us by letting us know when we need to make changes. We will feel His grief! (Ephesians 4:30) We will sweep out all bitterness, slander, and malice towards others and clothe ourselves with Christ’s kindness and compassion. Forgiveness will be the rule when wronged, instead of revenge. How thankful I am for this heavenly make-over! I need touch-ups regularly and continued training in sensitivity to the nudging of the Holy Spirit!