After several chapters describing the changes Jesus makes, the apostle Paul exhort us to stop living like unbelievers and start to live the new life that Jesus saved us to live.
He then gives us three steps to do this.
Finally, he shows us how it can look.
Paul’s Exhortation
Based on everything we’ve read in Ephesians 1-4,
Ephesians 4:17 So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk…
Paul tells us this because while many deny it, Paul says born again believers can live much of their lives just like unbelievers. We can be carnal and immature, live out of the flesh, and prioritize personal pleasure over all else.
Ephesians 4:17 So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God [Why?] because of the ignorance that is in them, [because they reject God’s word, they reject God’s grace in Christ. Why?] because of the hardness of their heart…
V. 18 Most people are willfully ignorant of God and eternal realities because of their hardness of heart; they refuse to believe God’s Word and trust Jesus.
It doesn’t end there. Look at verse 19. Over time, people become calloused, without feeling. We see it. They don’t blush over their perversion, they don’t feel anything is wrong as they reject truth and God’s order and goodness…
Ephesians 4:19 and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensualityfor the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.
Paul’s not just saying don't listen to those who seek to mold our values to theirs. But CHURCH, do not BE like them. O and he hasn’t even said a word about their behavior; he refers primarily to their ignorance of God, futile minds, and hard hearts.
So Paul affirms together with the Lord, DON’T BE LIKE THEM! Embrace everything that Paul has taught us about Jesus and who we are in Him.
Paul says,
Ephesians 4:20 But you did not learn Christ in this way, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus,
Three Steps to Real Change
Now Paul gives us three steps to live the new life that Jesus saved us to live.
Ephesians 4:22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
Do you see the three steps to change your life? It's not what we'd say.
The first step to change, lay aside the old self (22).
The old self does not refer to our sin nature or our sinful behaviors. It refers to our old identity before Christ. Think of it like your old operating system: you were willfully unbelieving, excluded from the life of God, by nature children of wrath.
But it's no longer true of you. So by faith, lay this aside. It’s not you anymore. Good thing. For it could never merit God’s favor, or bring you close to God.
Ephesians 4:22 [So], in reference to your former manner of life, lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,
So how do we lay aside the old self? By grace through faith.
The way this is written, the change has already been made. Our old self has already been laid aside, crucified with Jesus; i.e., the cross has already changed everything for us. We're really just called to appropriate these truths, believe and act on the changes that Jesus has already made.
Daily look to Jesus, see yourselves free in Christ from the shame of our past, from the foolishness, and from the pressure of how we used to live. Without God, relying on yourself, beating yourself up, judging others, futile thinking.
To lay aside the old self is to believe in the efficacy of the cross, the power of Jesus’ death for you. Your past no longer defines you. Your sins have no more power to condemn you. There is no shame in who you are in Christ.
Second, be renewed in the spirit of your mind (23).
Paul does not tell us to “renew ourselves,” but “be renewed in the spirit of your mind.” In your born again spirit where you think, where truth resides.
This is a passive verb. "Allow yourself to be renewed by God’s Spirit."
In other words, pray that God's Spirit strengthens you in the inner man. Paul prays for this twice in Ephesians alone. Then position yourself to be renewed. How? Read God’s Word, allow others to speak truth, serve and bless others.
Third, put on the new self (24).
Ephesians 4:24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
You have a new standing and a new relationship and a new identity, and you have a whole new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
You have a choice every day to trust Jesus for this grace, to put this on by faith.
When he tells us to lay aside the old self and put on the new self, Paul takes us into the dressing room. He likens this to putting on new clothes. These old clothes, the old self doesn’t fit us anymore, it no longer fits who we are.
So take these off, daily; especially when you're acting in the flesh, unlike God, angry, hurting, resentful, fearful. No, this is not who I am, it's not how I am anymore. I’m not excluded from God. I am in Christ, and He is in me. With me. For me. And by faith put on this new set of clothes, identity, from God, which perfectly express who He has made us.
Okay, so how do we do take off the old self and put on the new self?
Don't think he's telling us to act differently! Or maybe I should just stop sinning, watch what I say, stop acting rude to a coworker. No. Good stuff but none of these actions really change our heart or bring us any closer to God.
We don’t put on the new self by striving to be better. The new self is our new identity in Christ. We put it on as an act of faith, by seeing ourselves different because of His grace. Again, we see the power of the cross to change us.
So you’re not stuck with your old way of seeing yourself, thinking, or living.
How it might look if we live it out
Ephesians 4:25 Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. 26 Be angry, yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not give the devil an opportunity.
Paul doesn’t jot down a list of things we’ll do if we’re truly saved. He shows us how it looks to live out of the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness, holiness, and truth.
He’s not telling us here’s what you must strive to do, but here’s how it looks as we put on the new self, when you live out the truth of who you are.
Verse 25 You can stop pretending to be better or smarter than you are, stop trying to one up each other, but laying aside falsehoods, you can speak truth to each other in love, building up, trusting that we’re members of Christ together.
Verse 26 It doesn’t mean you won’t get hurt or angry, but in Christ we have a way to resolve our wounds and to still love and soon also to forgive one another. In Christ, we don’t want to give the devil opportunity as if we’re not in Christ.
Ephesians 4:28 He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need. 29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.
Again Paul isn’t telling you how to act in every situation. That’s just acting.
Verse 28 But when you see your identity and power and unity in Christ, as part of His church, you won’t have to steal from people; find direction, serve and actually give—share with those in need.
Verse 29 You won’t need to spew a whole lot of bravado or crassness or put downs, but you’l be able to build others up according to the need. You’ll give grace rather than grief to those who hear.
So Lord, help us to put on this truth of who Jesus makes, how we’re united with you and with one another. Help us see ourselves in Christ. Loved. Holy. With you right there with us. Wanting to bless us, wanting to be led by you.
Ephesians 4:30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Most of these are fruits of the Spirit. So Lord, help me to remember who you say I am, how you see us. Help us to know every spiritual blessing in Christ. As we trust in the power of the cross, we can forgive as we’ve been forgiven. To be kind as you are kind to me. Tenderhearted as I experience it in you.
Help us to respond to your grace to us so that we can extend it to others.
Particularly, when you are confronted with this problem, this person, or this temptation… lay aside the old, put on the new, and walk with Jesus by faith.
Ephesians 4:17-32
After several chapters describing the changes Jesus makes, the apostle Paul exhort us to stop living like unbelievers and start to live the new life that Jesus saved us to live.
He then gives us three steps to do this.
Finally, he shows us how it can look.
Paul’s Exhortation
Based on everything we’ve read in Ephesians 1-4,
Ephesians 4:17 So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk…
Paul tells us this because while many deny it, Paul says born again believers can live much of their lives just like unbelievers. We can be carnal and immature, live out of the flesh, and prioritize personal pleasure over all else.
Ephesians 4:17 So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God [Why?] because of the ignorance that is in them, [because they reject God’s word, they reject God’s grace in Christ. Why?] because of the hardness of their heart…
V. 18 Most people are willfully ignorant of God and eternal realities because of their hardness of heart; they refuse to believe God’s Word and trust Jesus.
It doesn’t end there. Look at verse 19. Over time, people become calloused, without feeling. We see it. They don’t blush over their perversion, they don’t feel anything is wrong as they reject truth and God’s order and goodness…
Ephesians 4:19 and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.
Paul’s not just saying don't listen to those who seek to mold our values to theirs. But CHURCH, do not BE like them. O and he hasn’t even said a word about their behavior; he refers primarily to their ignorance of God, futile minds, and hard hearts.
So Paul affirms together with the Lord, DON’T BE LIKE THEM! Embrace everything that Paul has taught us about Jesus and who we are in Him.
Paul says,
Ephesians 4:20 But you did not learn Christ in this way, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus,
Three Steps to Real Change
Now Paul gives us three steps to live the new life that Jesus saved us to live.
Ephesians 4:22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
Do you see the three steps to change your life? It's not what we'd say.
The first step to change, lay aside the old self (22).
The old self does not refer to our sin nature or our sinful behaviors. It refers to our old identity before Christ. Think of it like your old operating system: you were willfully unbelieving, excluded from the life of God, by nature children of wrath.
But it's no longer true of you. So by faith, lay this aside. It’s not you anymore. Good thing. For it could never merit God’s favor, or bring you close to God.
Ephesians 4:22 [So], in reference to your former manner of life, lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,
So how do we lay aside the old self? By grace through faith.
The way this is written, the change has already been made. Our old self has already been laid aside, crucified with Jesus; i.e., the cross has already changed everything for us. We're really just called to appropriate these truths, believe and act on the changes that Jesus has already made.
Daily look to Jesus, see yourselves free in Christ from the shame of our past, from the foolishness, and from the pressure of how we used to live. Without God, relying on yourself, beating yourself up, judging others, futile thinking.
To lay aside the old self is to believe in the efficacy of the cross, the power of Jesus’ death for you. Your past no longer defines you. Your sins have no more power to condemn you. There is no shame in who you are in Christ.
Second, be renewed in the spirit of your mind (23).
Paul does not tell us to “renew ourselves,” but “be renewed in the spirit of your mind.” In your born again spirit where you think, where truth resides.
This is a passive verb. "Allow yourself to be renewed by God’s Spirit."
In other words, pray that God's Spirit strengthens you in the inner man. Paul prays for this twice in Ephesians alone. Then position yourself to be renewed. How? Read God’s Word, allow others to speak truth, serve and bless others.
Third, put on the new self (24).
Ephesians 4:24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
You have a new standing and a new relationship and a new identity, and you have a whole new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
You have a choice every day to trust Jesus for this grace, to put this on by faith.
When he tells us to lay aside the old self and put on the new self, Paul takes us into the dressing room. He likens this to putting on new clothes. These old clothes, the old self doesn’t fit us anymore, it no longer fits who we are.
So take these off, daily; especially when you're acting in the flesh, unlike God, angry, hurting, resentful, fearful. No, this is not who I am, it's not how I am anymore. I’m not excluded from God. I am in Christ, and He is in me. With me. For me. And by faith put on this new set of clothes, identity, from God, which perfectly express who He has made us.
Okay, so how do we do take off the old self and put on the new self?
Don't think he's telling us to act differently! Or maybe I should just stop sinning, watch what I say, stop acting rude to a coworker. No. Good stuff but none of these actions really change our heart or bring us any closer to God.
We don’t put on the new self by striving to be better. The new self is our new identity in Christ. We put it on as an act of faith, by seeing ourselves different because of His grace. Again, we see the power of the cross to change us.
So you’re not stuck with your old way of seeing yourself, thinking, or living.
How it might look if we live it out
Ephesians 4:25 Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. 26 Be angry, yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not give the devil an opportunity.
Paul doesn’t jot down a list of things we’ll do if we’re truly saved. He shows us how it looks to live out of the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness, holiness, and truth.
He’s not telling us here’s what you must strive to do, but here’s how it looks as we put on the new self, when you live out the truth of who you are.
Verse 25 You can stop pretending to be better or smarter than you are, stop trying to one up each other, but laying aside falsehoods, you can speak truth to each other in love, building up, trusting that we’re members of Christ together.
Verse 26 It doesn’t mean you won’t get hurt or angry, but in Christ we have a way to resolve our wounds and to still love and soon also to forgive one another. In Christ, we don’t want to give the devil opportunity as if we’re not in Christ.
Ephesians 4:28 He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need. 29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.
Again Paul isn’t telling you how to act in every situation. That’s just acting.
Verse 28 But when you see your identity and power and unity in Christ, as part of His church, you won’t have to steal from people; find direction, serve and actually give—share with those in need.
Verse 29 You won’t need to spew a whole lot of bravado or crassness or put downs, but you’l be able to build others up according to the need. You’ll give grace rather than grief to those who hear.
So Lord, help us to put on this truth of who Jesus makes, how we’re united with you and with one another. Help us see ourselves in Christ. Loved. Holy. With you right there with us. Wanting to bless us, wanting to be led by you.
Ephesians 4:30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Most of these are fruits of the Spirit. So Lord, help me to remember who you say I am, how you see us. Help us to know every spiritual blessing in Christ. As we trust in the power of the cross, we can forgive as we’ve been forgiven. To be kind as you are kind to me. Tenderhearted as I experience it in you.
Help us to respond to your grace to us so that we can extend it to others.
Particularly, when you are confronted with this problem, this person, or this temptation… lay aside the old, put on the new, and walk with Jesus by faith.