Stripping Off the Old Life and Donning the New New

TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2025

THE CLOTHES OF THE SOUL

MEMORY VERSE: “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.” (Ephesians 4:22)

TEXT: EPHESIANS 4:17-25 (KJV)

17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

20 But ye have not so learned Christ;

21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

MESSAGE:The Radical Transformation: Shedding the Garments of Our Former Self

Beloved, when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we embark on the most profound journey of transformation imaginable. It’s not merely a change in belief; it’s a radical overhaul of our very being, a spiritual metamorphosis. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, vividly captures this change using a powerful analogy: that of putting off old, filthy garments and putting on new, clean ones.

Our memory verse for today, Ephesians 4:22, is a direct command: “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.” This speaks to a conscious, deliberate act of discarding our past way of life, our former manner of living.

The “old man” is a term used figuratively by Bible writers to describe the old life pattern, the life of the unconverted. It represents the totality of our existence before Christ – our unredeemed nature, our default settings, our inclinations towards sin. It is the sinful lifestyles arising from the corrupt or depraved nature that inherited sin from Adam. This is not just a theoretical concept; its characteristics and manifestations are enumerated in our text, serving as a stark reminder of what we once were, and what we are called to leave behind.

These characteristics include corruption and deceitful lusts, lying, stealing, bitterness, wrath, anger, evil speaking and malice. Paul isn’t vague; he provides a tangible list of behaviors and attitudes that define this “old man.” Before Christ, these were often our natural responses, our comfort zones, our tools for navigating a fallen world.

The crucial point is that these lifestyles are not expected in true saints of God who have been regenerated. When we are born again, a new spiritual seed is planted within us. We become “new creations” (2 Corinthians 5:17). The old has passed away, and the new has come. Therefore, the old and the new nature should not co-exist. You wouldn’t wear tattered, soiled clothes over a freshly laundered, new outfit. Similarly, the spiritual garments of our former life are utterly incompatible with the new life we have in Christ.

The Lingering Root: Understanding Sanctification

However, here lies a profound challenge for many believers: while salvation instantaneously changes our spiritual status before God (justification), the ingrained habits, thought patterns, and even the “root of sin” do not magically disappear overnight. Unfortunately, the root of sin remains in the believer until it is uprooted by the crisis of the second work of grace called sanctification.

Sanctification is a multi-faceted concept in Christian theology, often understood in three aspects:

1. Positional Sanctification: This happens at the moment of salvation. We are declared holy and set apart in Christ. God sees us through Jesus’ righteousness.
2. Progressive Sanctification: This is the ongoing, lifelong process where the Holy Spirit transforms us into the image of Christ. It’s a daily battle against the flesh, a gradual putting off of sinful habits and putting on of righteous ones.
3. Entire Sanctification (or Perfect Love): This is what the devotional refers to as the “crisis of the second work of grace.” It is a specific work of the Holy Spirit, subsequent to regeneration, where the believer’s heart is purified from the root of sin (original sin or the Adamic nature), empowering them with perfect love for God and neighbor, and enabling them to live a life free from willful sin. It’s a deeper work that eradicates the inclination to sin, not just the act itself. This is where the struggle to “put off” the old becomes much easier because the inner source of corruption has been dealt with.

Regardless of where one stands on the exact theological definition of “entire sanctification,” the message is clear: it is the duty of the child of God to do away with the old lifestyles. This is an active, not passive, process. We are commanded to “put off.” It requires our cooperation with the Holy Spirit.

Filthy Garments: The Manifestations of the Old Man

The analogy of garments is particularly potent. Think about filthy garments. They are:

• Dirty: Stained by the grime of sin.
• Smelly: Emitting the stench of unrighteousness.
• Uncomfortable: Clinging to us, restricting movement, and causing spiritual irritation.
• Shameful: Not something we want to be seen in, yet often worn in secret.

Paul lists specific “filthy garments” that belong to the old man and are to be put away:

Corruption and Deceitful Lusts (Ephesians 4:22): This speaks to the decaying nature of sin, how it corrupts from within, leading us to pursue desires that are ultimately empty and deceptive, promising satisfaction but delivering only bondage and emptiness. These “lusts” are not just sexual; they include greed, envy, pride, and any inordinate desire that leads us away from God.

Lying (Ephesians 4:25): “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour.” Lying is fundamental to the old nature, rooted in the father of lies, the devil (John 8:44). Truthfulness is a hallmark of the new creation, reflecting the character of Christ, who is the Truth.

Bitterness, Wrath, Anger, Clamor, Evil Speaking, and Malice (Ephesians 4:31): While not explicitly in today’s text (it continues immediately after), these are classic manifestations of the “old man.”

• • Bitterness: A deep-seated resentment that poisons the soul.
  • Wrath/Anger: Explosive outbursts or simmering rage.
  • Clamor: Loud, contentious quarrels, yelling, arguments.
  • Evil Speaking (Slander/Gossip): Destructive words, tearing others down.
  • Malice: Ill will, a desire to cause harm or see others suffer.These are all reflections of an unregenerate heart, controlled by selfish impulses and a lack of love.

Stealing (Ephesians 4:28): “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” Stealing isn’t just about material theft; it’s about taking what isn’t yours, whether it’s time, credit, or resources. The contrast is powerful: instead of taking, the new man gives.

These are to be put away. Like filthy garments, these are to be discarded. This imagery conveys a decisive action. You don’t just “try” to remove dirt from filthy clothes while wearing them; you take them off completely.

Donning the New Man: The Garments of Christ-likeness

In their place, the believer should put on the new man as a new garment. This “new man” is not something we invent; it is a spiritual identity and nature that is “created in righteousness and true holiness” after God (Ephesians 4:24). It is Christ-likeness. This is the positive command that balances the negative one. We don’t just stop doing bad things; we actively start doing good things, reflecting the character of our transformed nature.

What does it mean to be clothed with the lifestyles of Christ-likeness? It means embodying the very virtues that define Jesus:

• Truthfulness: Speaking truth with your neighbor (Ephesians 4:25).
• Righteousness and True Holiness (Ephesians 4:24): Living justly, morally upright, and set apart for God.
• Kindness, Tenderness, Forgiveness (Ephesians 4:32): “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” These are the antitheses of bitterness, anger, and malice.
• Love, Purity, Humility, Patience: These are the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) that adorn the new man.

This transformation is not about conforming to external rules, but about an inner renewal that produces outward change. Rather than conform to the world, he should be transformed by the renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2). The world operates on the principles of the “old man” – selfishness, deceit, greed, and anger. As Christians, our transformation begins in our minds, where our thoughts, values, and perspectives are re-aligned with God’s truth. This renewed mind then influences our actions, causing us to not conform to worldly patterns but to be living examples of Christ-likeness.

As Christian, old sinful practices should be alien to you. They should feel unnatural, repulsive, like trying to put on a soiled, tattered garment after you’ve been given a beautiful, clean one. If sin still feels comfortable or normal, it’s a sign that the “old man” has not been sufficiently put off, or the “new man” has not been fully embraced.

The Continuous Process: Renewal of the Mind

Ephesians 4:23 says, “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind.” This is a continuous process, not a one-time event. Even after entire sanctification, we live in a fallen world and our minds need constant realignment with God’s Word. The “spirit of your mind” refers to your inner disposition, your governing attitude and thought processes. Just as you replace old clothes with new, you must consciously replace old thought patterns with new ones based on biblical truth.

This involves:

Guarding Your Inputs: Be careful what you allow into your mind through media, conversations, and influences.

Studying God’s Word: The Bible is the truth that renews your mind (Psalm 119:105).

Meditation and Prayer: Actively dwelling on God’s truth and inviting the Holy Spirit to transform your thoughts.

Discerning Thoughts: Taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). When an “old man” thought pops up (e.g., bitterness, envy), immediately identify it, reject it, and replace it with a “new man” thought (e.g., forgiveness, gratitude).

The Crisis and the Journey: A Call to Deeper Grace

The journey of putting off the old and putting on the new begins at conversion, but it often requires a deeper work of grace. For some, this “crisis of the second work of grace” or “entire sanctification” is a definite experience where the root of sin is removed, enabling a life of sustained holiness and perfect love. For others, it might be a more progressive, though still distinct, process of purification.

Regardless of the theological nuances, the command remains: Put off the old man. The decision to do away with the old life pattern must be conscious and resolute. The power to do so comes from the Holy Spirit, whom we receive when we fully surrender and seek this deeper work of grace.

This is not a passive waiting for God to magically change us. It’s an active cooperation with His Spirit. Just as you choose to remove dirty clothes and choose to put on clean ones, you must choose to reject sinful patterns and choose to embrace righteous ones.

The Challenge: No Co-existence, Only Transformation

The CHALLENGE is clear: The old and the new nature should not co-exist. They are antithetical. Light and darkness cannot dwell together. Righteousness and lawlessness are incompatible (2 Corinthians 6:14). If you claim Christ, your life must reflect Him. This doesn’t mean perfection overnight, but it does mean a clear, decisive trajectory away from sin and towards holiness.

If you find yourself still wrestling intensely with the same old sins, if the “old man” seems to have as much power as the “new man,” then perhaps it’s time to earnestly seek that deeper work of grace. It’s time to lay down every remnant of the corrupt nature and fully embrace the pure, holy nature that God has made available through Christ.

Our walk with God is a journey of continuous sanctification. May we never become complacent with our spiritual attire, but always strive to be clothed in the beautiful, pure, and holy garments of Christ-likeness. This is not just for our own benefit, but for the glory of God, as we become living testimonies of His transformative power to a watching world.

QUOTE: Put on the new man. This isn’t a suggestion; it’s a divine command and an empowering promise.

PRAYER: Lord, I present my heart today for entire sanctification. Uproot every remaining root of sin and corruption within me. Clothe me completely with the new man, created in Your righteousness and true holiness. Renew the spirit of my mind daily, so that I may walk worthy of Your calling, glorifying You in every thought, word, and deed, in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.