Taking off the OLD, and putting on the NEW

Ephesians 4:22-24

If we want to have lasting change in our lives, we have to start by changing the way we think so that we honour God through the very things we do and through the things we let into our minds. Paul gave it to us very clearly . . .

Ephesians 4:22-24 says, “Put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and ... put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (NIV).

Notice that there’s always a putting off and a putting on. In every area of our lives there are things we must stop doing and things we must start doing. And it primarily begins with the heart. That means we must stop having negative, hurtful, harmful thoughts and start by placing deep in our hearts only the things that glorify the LORD and edify the body.

It has been described this way—when you are shopping for a new outfit in the store you don’t put the new over the old. It just wouldn't be right. In order to see what the new is really like you’re going to have to take off the old.

And all of this is true spiritually, emotionally and mentally. We have to take off the old before we can put on the new!