Renewed in the Spirit of Your Minds

Eph. 4:22-24

to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. 

Paul admonished the Ephesians not to walk in the way of the Gentiles because the mind of an Gentile is consumed with futile thinking while the mind of a believer is renewed in spirit. Why would a believer want to hang on to the old way of thinking and behaving? No rational reason, but the flesh doesn't demand rationality. The flesh is foolishly persuaded that a hard heart and ignorance of God is the way to go, and its greediness for all things impure and sensual will eventually fulfill. So deceived! Instead the believer needs to put all this off like the filth that it is. Get rid of it!

Once put off, then the putting on begins. Truth in place of lies! Love instead of anger! Hard work instead of stealing! Good, edifying speech instead of corrupting talk! In place of bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, and malice is kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness! This is really an entirely new and revolutionary way to live. These are the evidences of a renewed mind and a life that has put on true righteousness and holiness. When we are willy-nilly in our resolve, we give room for the devil to re-energize our flesh and slog our minds through the mire. We need to live the way that we have learned Christ!

Father, 

Thank you for renewing my mind and my heart. I so want to cast off my old flesh and walk in my new life. Give me Your grace and strength. In myself I can't do it.

In Jesus name,

Amen