December 20 2025

Saturday December 20

Put Off, Put On

Ephesians 4:22-24

22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Today we are continuing our study in Ephesians chapter 4, focusing specifically on verses 22 through 24. The Apostle Paul has been explaining that because we now have a new position in Christ as believers, we should no longer walk the way we once did—or the way the Gentiles around us walk. In other words, the world walks one way, but we are called to walk differently. As believers in Christ, we should live differently, speak differently, and have a different attitude. Why? Because we are now in Christ.

Paul explains it this way in verse 22: We are to put off our former conduct—the old man—which grows corrupt according to deceitful lusts. Then, in verse 23, we are to be renewed in the spirit of our minds. Finally, in verse 24, we are to put on the new man, which was created according to God in true righteousness and holiness.

What does this mean? To put off the old man means that, as believers, we intentionally reject the sinful nature we inherited from Adam. The old self is corrupted by deceitful desires, as Paul describes here in Ephesians. This is not merely about changing bad habits; it is about our core identity before Christ. Prior to salvation, we were enslaved to sin.

In Colossians 3:1–11, Paul gives specific examples of the old life—immorality, greed, anger, and lying. These practices once defined us, but they lead to spiritual death and bring about God’s wrath. Spiritually speaking, putting off the old man is like taking off filthy clothes after a long, grimy day. It is a decisive act of faith. When we trusted Christ, our old self was crucified with Him. Paul teaches this clearly in Romans chapter 6. We do not reform the old man—we put him off, because in God’s eyes he is already dead. This truth brings real freedom as we choose righteousness. I encourage you to read Romans 6, because it reminds us that we are no longer enslaved to sin. We are now free to live a righteous life as followers of Jesus Christ (Romans 6:11-18).

Conversely, when we put off the old man, we are also called to put on the new man. This means we actively embrace our new identity in Christ. The new self is created in Christ’s likeness and is renewed in mind, spirit, and life. Ephesians tells us this new man is characterized by true righteousness and holiness. The book of Colossians adds that this new self is renewed in the image of our Creator, where divisions such as race, background, or status fade away—because Christ is all and in all. As Paul says, “Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.” (Colossians 3:9-11).

Spiritually, putting off the old man is like taking off dirty clothes, and putting on the new man is like being clothed with something entirely new. We do this consciously—daily, even moment by moment—remembering that Christ is our life and our all in all. When we practice this as we should, it becomes a lifestyle of godliness. As Brother Lawrence spoke of practicing the presence of God, we might also say we are practicing holiness—choosing Christ over the flesh, over the old ways. We choose to read the Word of God, to follow Him, to love Him, to live for Him, and to witness for Him.

Oh, my friend, when this becomes our reality, we are truly free—free to do what we ought to do: to love the Lord and to live a life of holiness and righteousness before Him. That is exactly what Paul is teaching us here: put off the old man, put on the new man, and live in freedom for the glory of God.

May God bless you as you dedicate and consecrate your life to Him. As Romans 12:1–2 reminds us, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

God bless!