PUTTING OFF THE , AND PUTTING ON THE
1. PUTTING OFF THE OLD (17-19)
17 Therefore, I say this and testify in the Lord: You should no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thoughts.
Romans 1:24 KJV – 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
18 They are darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them and because of the hardness of their hearts.
Romans 8:7 KJV – 7 Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be..
19 They became callous and gave themselves over to promiscuity for the practice of every kind of impurity with a desire for more and more.
1 Peter 4:3 CSB – 3 For there has already been enough time spent in doing what the Gentiles choose to do: carrying on in unrestrained behavior, evil desires, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and lawless idolatry.
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2. PUTTING ON THE MAN (20-24)
20 But that is not how you came to know Christ, 21 assuming you heard about him and were taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus,22 to take off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires, 23 to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth.
Romans 6:6 CSB – 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be rendered powerless so that we may no longer be enslaved to sin,
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3. THE OF THE NEW MAN (25-32)
25 Therefore, putting away lying, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, because we are members of one another. 26 Be angry and do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and don’t give the devil an opportunity.
2 Corinthians 2:11 KJV – 11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
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28 Let the thief no longer steal. Instead, he is to do honest work with his own hands, so that he has something to share with anyone in need. 29 No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear. 30 And don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit. You were sealed by him for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander be removed from you, along with all malice.32 And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.
1 Peter 3:8-9 CSB – 8 Finally, all of you be like-minded and sympathetic, love one another, and be compassionate and humble, 9 not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you may inherit a blessing.
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This transformation requires a renewal of the mind and a conscious choice to live according to God’s righteousness. Putting off and putting on is a choice, which one will you make?
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Community Life Group Question
- What is one thing that you learned from today’s sermon?
- How do you understand the relationship between sin and ignorance in Ephesians 4:18? What are some practical examples of how a person’s spiritual blindness can lead to destructive behavior?
- In Ephesians 4:23, Paul talks about being “renewed in the spirit of your mind.” What role does the renewal of our mind play in living out the new identity in Christ? How does this differ from simply knowing the truth?
- How does putting off the old self and putting on the new self reflect about being “a new creation” in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17)? What is the relationship between our identity in Christ and our daily choices?
- How can we pray for you?