Active Transformation: Putting Off the Old Self
Summary
In Ephesians 4:22-24, Paul exhorts believers to "put off" the old self and "put on" the new self, emphasizing a transformation that is both practical and spiritual. This transformation is not merely theoretical; it requires active participation. The old self, characterized by deceitful desires, must be discarded, while the new self, created in righteousness and holiness, must be embraced. This dual action of putting off and putting on is interconnected and essential for spiritual growth.
The process of putting off the old self is not passive. It is a command that requires deliberate action. It is not something to be prayed about in a passive sense, nor is it an experience that happens to us. Instead, it is a conscious decision to reject the old ways and embrace the new life in Christ. This involves a practical application of biblical principles, such as avoiding situations and influences that lead to sin and actively mortifying the deeds of the flesh.
The sermon highlights the importance of self-awareness and self-preaching. Believers must remind themselves daily of their identity in Christ, recognizing that they are new creations. This self-awareness helps in resisting the temptations of the old life. Additionally, believers are encouraged to examine their lives for inconsistencies between their professed faith and their actions, ensuring that their conduct aligns with their identity in Christ.
Furthermore, the sermon emphasizes the need for vigilance in avoiding sin. This includes not making provision for the flesh, avoiding situations and influences that lead to sin, and actively mortifying sinful desires. The process of sanctification involves a continuous effort to align one's life with the teachings of Scripture, relying on the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome the old self.
Key Takeaways:
- The transformation from the old self to the new self is an active process that requires deliberate action. It is not enough to simply pray about it; believers must actively put off the old self and put on the new self, applying biblical principles to their lives. [06:46]
- Self-awareness and self-preaching are crucial in the Christian life. Believers must remind themselves daily of their identity in Christ, recognizing that they are new creations and rejecting the temptations of the old life. [20:17]
- Consistency between one's professed faith and actions is essential. Believers must examine their lives for inconsistencies and ensure that their conduct aligns with their identity in Christ, living in a way that reflects the gospel. [24:24]
- Avoiding sin requires vigilance and practical action. Believers must not make provision for the flesh, avoiding situations and influences that lead to sin, and actively mortifying sinful desires. [35:13]
- The process of sanctification involves continuous effort and reliance on the Holy Spirit. Believers must work out their salvation with fear and trembling, applying the teachings of Scripture to their lives and relying on the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome the old self. [39:10]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:12] - Introduction to Ephesians 4:22-24
[01:23] - The Practical Application of Doctrine
[02:30] - The Dual Action: Put Off and Put On
[05:09] - How to Put Off the Old Self
[07:03] - The Command to Act
[09:23] - The Danger of Passive Prayer
[13:20] - Misconceptions About Sanctification
[16:06] - The Role of Faith and Works
[19:27] - Practical Steps to Put Off the Old Self
[22:32] - The Inconsistency of the Old Life
[25:35] - Living a Life That Reflects the Gospel
[32:49] - Avoiding Fellowship with Darkness
[35:13] - Making No Provision for the Flesh
[39:10] - Mortifying the Deeds of the Flesh
[42:52] - Conclusion and Call to Action
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 4:22-24
- Romans 13:14
- Colossians 3:5
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul mean by "put off" the old self and "put on" the new self in Ephesians 4:22-24? How are these actions described in the sermon? [02:10]
2. According to the sermon, why is the process of putting off the old self not something to be prayed about passively? [07:22]
3. What practical steps are mentioned in the sermon for avoiding sin and not making provision for the flesh? [35:13]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of self-awareness and self-preaching in the life of a believer? [20:17]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that believers can actively participate in their own transformation, rather than waiting for it to happen passively? [06:46]
2. How does the sermon explain the relationship between self-awareness and resisting the temptations of the old life? [20:17]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of consistency between one's professed faith and actions? How does this relate to the concept of living a life that reflects the gospel? [24:24]
4. How does the sermon interpret the command to "make no provision for the flesh" in Romans 13:14, and what practical advice is given to fulfill this command? [35:13]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your daily routine. How can you incorporate the practice of self-preaching to remind yourself of your identity in Christ? What specific affirmations can you use? [20:17]
2. Identify a situation or influence in your life that leads you towards sin. What practical steps can you take to avoid these situations and not make provision for the flesh? [35:13]
3. Consider an area of your life where your actions may not align with your professed faith. What changes can you make to ensure consistency between your beliefs and behaviors? [24:24]
4. The sermon emphasizes the need for vigilance in avoiding sin. What are some specific ways you can be more vigilant in your daily life to avoid falling into old patterns? [35:13]
5. Think about a time when you relied on passive prayer instead of taking deliberate action in your spiritual growth. How can you shift your approach to be more active and intentional? [07:22]
6. The sermon discusses the importance of mortifying sinful desires. What is one specific desire or habit you need to mortify, and what steps will you take to do so? [39:10]
7. How can you rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to help you in the process of putting off the old self and putting on the new self? What role does prayer play in this reliance? [39:10]
Devotional
Day 1: Active Transformation in Christ
The transformation from the old self to the new self is an active process that requires deliberate action. It is not enough to simply pray about it; believers must actively put off the old self and put on the new self, applying biblical principles to their lives. This involves a conscious decision to reject the old ways and embrace the new life in Christ. The process is both practical and spiritual, requiring believers to avoid situations and influences that lead to sin and to actively mortify the deeds of the flesh. This dual action of putting off and putting on is interconnected and essential for spiritual growth. [06:46]
Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to actively put off your old self and embrace your new identity in Christ?
Day 2: Daily Self-Awareness in Christ
Self-awareness and self-preaching are crucial in the Christian life. Believers must remind themselves daily of their identity in Christ, recognizing that they are new creations and rejecting the temptations of the old life. This self-awareness helps in resisting the temptations of the old life and is a vital part of spiritual growth. By continually reminding themselves of their identity in Christ, believers can better align their actions with their faith and live in a way that reflects the gospel. [20:17]
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Reflection: How can you remind yourself of your identity in Christ each day, and how might this change the way you respond to temptations?
Day 3: Consistency in Faith and Actions
Consistency between one's professed faith and actions is essential. Believers must examine their lives for inconsistencies and ensure that their conduct aligns with their identity in Christ, living in a way that reflects the gospel. This involves a continuous effort to align one's life with the teachings of Scripture and to live in a way that is consistent with one's faith. By doing so, believers can ensure that their actions reflect their beliefs and that they are living in a way that honors God. [24:24]
James 1:22-24 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you see a gap between your faith and your actions, and what steps can you take to bridge that gap today?
Day 4: Vigilance Against Sin
Avoiding sin requires vigilance and practical action. Believers must not make provision for the flesh, avoiding situations and influences that lead to sin, and actively mortifying sinful desires. This involves a continuous effort to align one's life with the teachings of Scripture and to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome the old self. By doing so, believers can ensure that they are living in a way that honors God and reflects their faith. [35:13]
Romans 13:14 (ESV): "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires."
Reflection: What practical steps can you take today to avoid situations and influences that lead to sin in your life?
Day 5: Continuous Sanctification Through the Holy Spirit
The process of sanctification involves continuous effort and reliance on the Holy Spirit. Believers must work out their salvation with fear and trembling, applying the teachings of Scripture to their lives and relying on the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome the old self. This involves a continuous effort to align one's life with the teachings of Scripture and to live in a way that reflects the gospel. By doing so, believers can ensure that they are living in a way that honors God and reflects their faith. [39:10]
Philippians 2:12-13 (ESV): "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."
Reflection: How can you rely more on the Holy Spirit in your daily life to help you in your journey of sanctification?
Quotes
We come back to a consideration of this great exaltation and I would remind you as we do so of certain things which are important from the standpoint of structure. The Apostle here you remember is now applying the truth that he has been laying down in the first half of this great epistle. [00:39:36]
Now here it is then and I would remind you again that the exaltation has these two sides to it: the negative, the put off, and the positive, put on, connected by this link which is in the 23rd verse, which is being renewed, going on being renewed in the spirit of your mind. [00:37:08]
This is something that you and I have to do. It is not something that is done for us. You notice that it is a Command: put off the old man. It's an exhortation. It is, I say, a definite command that he gives to us. [00:06:44]
The Apostle doesn't here tell these people, now look here, with regard to this problem, I want you to pray about this. No, no, he says, look here, for the reasons I've given you, put off that old man. You don't pray about this. I'm telling you to do it. Get on with it and do it. [00:08:52]
As a regenerate creature, as a newborn being, you have the power. The New Testament never commands us to do a thing without giving us the power to do it, and therefore there is no excuse at this point. [00:08:59]
The whole art of Christian Living is to know how to talk to yourself. If you don't preach to yourself, you're not a Christian. A Christian is a preacher. He preaches to himself, and this is the essence of Christian Living. [00:20:17]
You start your day by telling yourself, now then, I am the new man. I'm no longer the old man. My old man has been crucified with Christ. My old man is dead, finished with, it is non-existent. I am no longer what I was. [00:20:34]
Remind yourself and impress upon yourself the utter inconsistency of claiming to be a Christian but continuing to live in that way. So obvious, isn't it? And yet how we all fail to do it. You have to look at yourself. [00:24:24]
Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Now the material point here, the operative phrase, is no fellowship. In other words, he says, have nothing at all to do with them. Be drastic. [00:32:49]
Make not provision for the flesh. What a statement. Make not, or no provision for the flesh. Romans 13:14. What a tremendous thing it is. You remember the part it played in the life of St Augustine. [00:35:13]
Mortify the Deeds of the flesh. If ye through the spirit do mortify the Deeds of the flesh, ye shall live, says Paul in Romans 8:13. And did you notice what we read in Colossians 3:15 this morning? [00:39:10]
We shall find ourselves being enabled to put off the old man and all that is so horribly true of him, that we no longer may disgrace the fair and the Glorious name of our blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. [00:44:33]
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