DEVOTION – DAY 217

Ephesians 4:22-24 “Choosing To Be Our New Self”

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

In these verses, the apostle Paul tells us that just as we put on a fresh set of clothes to wear every day, we must also put on our new self in Christ every day. He tells us that we must not continue to go around wearing our old clothes, or as Paul says, allowing our old sinful nature to rule over us every day. To put on our new self in Christ, we must make a conscious effort to have a change in attitude, in the way we conduct ourselves.

I recall a time when I wanted to do some shopping at a popular large shopping mall. Finding a place to park our car was not easy as it was the weekend. After circling the carpark for about 10 minutes, we saw an empty car park bay ahead and I switched on my car indicator to show my intention to turn our car into that car park bay. But before I could do so, another car drove against the traffic and took the empty car park bay that I was planning to use for our car. I was angry with this inconsiderate driver taking the car park bay that I had seen first. So, I wound down our car window to signal to this driver that we had seen the empty car park bay first. But this driver simply ignored us. My old sinful self would have allowed my anger to take over and I would have liked to scold this driver and call him many rude names. But, I was reminded by the Holy Spirit that I am a new person in Christ. The Lord expects me to behave righteously and allowing my anger to take hold of me in front of others in a public car park would have resulted in me being a bad witness for the Lord. So, I chose to put on my new self in Christ. I forgave this inconsiderate driver. I wound up my car window and drove on around the car park to look for another empty car park bay. I thank God that I found a place to park my car after a few more minutes of circling the carpark. This is just an example of the many different situations that every one of us face every day where we are called not to give in to our old sinful desires and nature but to put on our new self in Christ – to purposefully choose the right actions that honors the Lord.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word that reminds us to put on our new self in Christ every waking moment of every day, and not give in to the temptation of our old sinful desires and actions. Grant us the resolve and wisdom to always choose to act righteously and in ways pleasing to you. In the great name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

Questions

  1. What daily struggles do you face between wanting to give into your old sinful nature and to put on your new self in Christ? Discuss.
  2. How can you consciously choose to act righteously in your daily situations?
  3. Why is it important for Christians to put on their new self in Christ? What kind of examples will they give to others if they give in to their old sinful natures in daily situations? Discuss.