Devotion: Ephesians 4:23

Ephesians 4:23 …to be made new in the attitude of your minds.

Before we begin today, let’s pause to look at the verses around our focus verse. It is vital for our understanding that we do not take this (or any other Scripture) out of context.

We see in Ephesians 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.”

Paul told the Ephesians to get rid of the old self since it was such a mess, corrupt and stained. Instead, he instructed them to be made new in their minds and to put on a new self that was righteous and Godly.

When I first studied these verses back in my college days I found myself wondering how we can take off the old and put on the new. But the key? It is found in verse 23. It begins in our minds and becomes a continuous transformation of our thoughts, beliefs,  and attitudes. We put off the old, sin-filled, worldly habits and we put on a new, Christ-like lifestyle. We allow the Holy Spirit to reshape our mind and how it works, replacing worldly habits with new, Godly ones.

In our verse, Paul reminds readers “to be made new.” Some translations say “to be renewed.” Both translations are valid and make sense because both say basically the same thing – to engage in an ongoing, daily realigning of our focus through Godly habits like prayer, worship,

If we seek Him, IF we cooperate, we become active participants in leaving behind all of the old ways of thinking and the worldly behaviors. The Spirit doesn’t work on its own and magically transforms us. We have a job to do, effort to put in.

Are you ready to put off the old and put on the new? He is waiting to renew your mind. You just need to seek Him.

Prayer: Lord, I don’t want to be ruled by my old self. I want to be transformed and renewed by Your Spirit. Fill me and let me turn to You. Let me choose active obedience today and forever. Amen

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