Read Ephesians 4:20–24
In Ephesians 4:20–24, Paul reminds believers that coming to Christ means more than adding a few religious habits to our lives. We have learned Christ. Because of that, our old way of living no longer fits who we are.
Paul describes this change like taking off old clothes and putting on new ones.
The "old man" refers to the person we were before Christ changed us. It shows up in sinful habits, wrong attitudes, selfish desires, and ways of thinking that pull us away from God. Those things may feel familiar, but they belong to our old life.
The "new man" is the new life God has given us in Christ. As we follow Him, He teaches us to live differently. We begin to speak differently, respond differently, and treat people differently. Little by little, our lives start to reflect the character of Christ.
Paul tells us that this change begins in the mind: "be renewed in the spirit of your mind." God works from the inside out. As we spend time in His Word, listen to His truth, and walk in obedience, He changes the way we think. And when our thinking changes, our actions begin to change too.
Most Christians still have pieces of the "old clothes" hanging around. A quick temper. Pride. Harsh words. Bitterness. Unforgiveness.
The good news is that God has not left us where we were. Each day He is teaching us to put off the old ways and put on the new life He has given us in Christ.
What part of the old life do you need to lay aside today? And what would it look like to put on something that better reflects Christ?
Paul describes this change like taking off old clothes and putting on new ones.
The "old man" refers to the person we were before Christ changed us. It shows up in sinful habits, wrong attitudes, selfish desires, and ways of thinking that pull us away from God. Those things may feel familiar, but they belong to our old life.
The "new man" is the new life God has given us in Christ. As we follow Him, He teaches us to live differently. We begin to speak differently, respond differently, and treat people differently. Little by little, our lives start to reflect the character of Christ.
Paul tells us that this change begins in the mind: "be renewed in the spirit of your mind." God works from the inside out. As we spend time in His Word, listen to His truth, and walk in obedience, He changes the way we think. And when our thinking changes, our actions begin to change too.
Most Christians still have pieces of the "old clothes" hanging around. A quick temper. Pride. Harsh words. Bitterness. Unforgiveness.
The good news is that God has not left us where we were. Each day He is teaching us to put off the old ways and put on the new life He has given us in Christ.
What part of the old life do you need to lay aside today? And what would it look like to put on something that better reflects Christ?
