“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.” Ephesians 4:22 NIV
If we are going to mature in Christ, if we are going to walk in purity, we are to put off the old self. The term Paul uses here for “put off” means to take off or to strip off. It is frequently used of getting out of filthy clothes. Imagine yourself working in a manure pit on a hot summers day. It is slippery so you occasionally fall into the manure, and it’s hot so everything – including yourself – stinks. Now, when you get home, what is the first thing you do? Do you go and sit on the couch and grab a snack? No! You are filthy! The first thing you do is strip off those filthy clothes. That is what Paul says here. Put off, concerning your former conduct, the old person which grows according to the deceitful lusts. The old person/nature is the filthy clothes. It is characterized by deceitful lusts and everything which is our former conduct, the way we used to live. Take note that it can still grow. It grows according to the deceitful lusts. This means that, although it has been crucified with Christ, and although it has been defeated and done away with, it still resides within us, and is a part of us. This old person/nature can grow into a strong person when we feed it by giving in to our lusts. Rather, we need to die daily, and put to death the old self, and not give in to our lusts, and strip off those old clothes. Once we have removed those old, filthy, stinking clothes, are we done? No, we are not. We still need to get dressed into new clothes. It’s out with the old and in with the new. Are you putting on the New each day?
PRAYER THOUGHT
Lord, we put off the old self each day as we put on the New.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Lord, thank You that each day we can put off the old self and put on the New self that is in You, through the indwelling power and ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives. AMEN
I.B.R.A. Readings
Matthew 26:26-29
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