Ephesians 4:22-24: Put on the New Self

Ephesians 4:22–24
[22] to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, [23] and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, [24] and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. (ESV)

What is your taste in clothing?  In our family we laugh about my daughter's taste in clothing.  We jest that her favorite kind of clothing is "expensive."  She might argue that she has good taste.  My son is not so concerned with what he wears.  Clothes are a necessity but not a frivolity.  I can remember my childhood days going to school wishing that I had the clothes that the cool kids wore, but we simply couldn't afford them.  In this passage today Paul is talking about spiritual clothes.  Think of the new self as new clothes.

Verse 23 tells us that we are to be renewed in the spirit of our minds. This is in direct contrast to the old clothes we used to wear. The old way of life was consumed with foolish thinking. Our thinking is to be renewed. How is our mind renewed? By the Word of God. God’s Word must be what directs our thinking. Left to our own thoughts we will fall into folly just like the world.

2 Corinthians 10:5
[5] We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

Now, it’s one thing to take off the clothes that are stained. But, it is quite another to put on the new clothes that are clean. Some Christians have come to Christ. They have even taken off the clothes of the old self. But, they haven’t been diligent to make sure that they are clothed with new clothes of righteousness. We are to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

What are you wearing? I know that for myself, I need to go to God every day, and say, Lord forgive me of my sins, clothe me with your righteousness. I don’t want to have a wardrobe malfunction. You might laugh, but think about it. If you claim to know Christ, but you are still dressing in some of the godless garb of your past way of life, you are having a wardrobe malfunction!

Do you think that God cares about your wardrobe? I think so. If you have accepted Christ as your Savior you need to be sure that the old garments of your previous way of life are gone, and you are wearing the robe of righteousness from the Lord Jesus Christ. I warn you. You will be tempted to keep that old t-shirt with the holes and stains, that seems soooo comfortable. Be done with the old life. Clothe yourselves with the righteousness of Christ.