Now is the time to put off the old self and put on the new self created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness! Will you live a “worldly life” as a “mere human” (1 Corinthians 3:3) or a “godly life” as a “partaker in the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4)?

EPHESIANS 4:17-5:20

“17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed. 20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.

22 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; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

5:1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

PUT ON THE NEW YOU!

Ephesians 4:22-24, “22 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; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

Four Things to Consider from the Passage:

  1. IT’S YOUR CHOICE WHO YOU WILL BE: You make the choice to either remain the old sinful you (which you inherited from Adam at birth) or to be made the new you in the image of Christ – v. 22a (2 Corinthians 5:17).
  2. YOUR SINFUL FLESH CANNOT SAVE YOU: Since your flesh (brain with the five senses) is corrupted by its deceitful desires there is no way you can change yourself without being born again and given a new self from God – 22b (1 Peter 1:22-23 & John 3:3).
  3. GOD HAS A NEW SELF FOR YOU IN CHRIST: Your new self is a reborn soul made in the image of Christ with the Mind/Attitude of Christ – v. 23 (Ephesians 2:10, 1 Corinthians 2:16,6:11).
  4. TO LIVE IN THE NEW SELF IS THE REASON YOU EXIST: The Father gives you a new self in Christ to fulfill His purpose in creating you- the purpose He had before sin defiled you. You were created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness – v. 24 (Genesis 1:27).

FOURTEEN THINGS TO PUT OFF AND PUT ON! 

  1. Put off falsehood and put on speaking truthfully
  2. Put off sinful anger and put on kindness*
  3. Put off stealing and put on sharing
  4. Put off unwholesome talk and put on building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen
  5. Put off grieving the Holy Spirit of God and put on obeying the Holy Spirit*
  6. Put off all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice and put on kindness, compassion and forgiveness
  7. Put off sexual immorality and impurity and put on purity*
  8. Put off greed and put on generosity*
  9. Put off obscenity, foolish talk and coarse joking and put on thanksgiving
  10. Put off darkness and put on light*
  11. Put off folly and put on wisdom
  12. Put off laziness* and put on making the most of every opportunity
  13. Put off ignorance and put on understanding what the Lord’s will is
  14. Put off getting drunk on wine and put on being filled with the Spirit by speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

*Marks the places I had to add in a portion to keep the theme of “putting off and putting on;” otherwise it is the wording of Paul in the passage. 

What way of living will you put on everyday; your old sinful self or the new self created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness?