Ephesians 4:17-32
Be Still: Lord, I commit this time to you. Would you open me up to receive from you. Amen
Read: Ephesians 4:17-32
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. (v22-24)
Encounter: Transformation is part of the gift of salvation. When we commit to following Christ, there is a change that occurs within us – we begin to see things differently, experience the world differently and we have to change the way we act in accordance. Romans 12 tells us ‘Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.’
Well, how do we do this?
It’s the Holy Spirit that helps us.
I remember when I was falling in love with Jesus, and I decided I wanted to stop swearing. I tried everything, including a swear jar and the rubber band on the wrist trick, but nothing seemed to help. Then one time when I was praying, I felt the Lord lead me to 1John 3:6 ‘No one who lives in him keeps on sinning.'
The Lord was trying to explain to me that stopping sin isn’t a case of behaviour modification but of Spirit indwelling. The more we let him in, the more our desires change, the more he grows us and teaches us, and we begin to desire the things of the Kingdom. Our actions begin to align with the commitment we have made before God. We cannot do life without the Holy Spirit and thankfully we don’t have to – the Holy Spirit helps us put on this new self so we can live our lives in a way that glorifies him.
Apply: Are there any behaviours of patterns that you’re struggling with at the moment? Any parts of your ‘old self’ that seem to reoccur more than you want them to? Let’s take the time this morning to give them over to the Lord and ask the Holy Spirit to help us and fill us.
Devote: Search me, O God. You know me better than I know myself. Would you point out the areas in my life that are still governed by the old self. I give them to you now and ask your Holy Spirit to fill me and align me with your will.