Issue 10 - Day 5

Ephesians 4

Ephesians 4:22-26
22)  That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23)  And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24)  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
25)  Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
26)  Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

Do you find yourself continuing to act in the same way as you did before you became a Christian? Or, when comparing your life to non-believers around you, do you realise there is little difference in the way you live your life? These are sure signs that you have not put off the old man.

Many times believers do put of the old man, but he comes back! This is for a simple reason. Nature abhors a vacuum, and so if you take something out the resulting gap will be filled. Therefore, fill it with God. we are given a new creation in us, created by God, in righteousness and holiness. We do not have to continue doing the old things, we do not need to be angry, lie, hide truth, and so on. How then do we put on the new man? By being renewed in the spirit of our minds. The way we think needs to change. Our way of thinking is in turn defined by what we read, watch and hear. Instead of continuing to feed your mind with the old rubbish, feed it with the word of God, with prayer, and with the encouragement of your fellow believers.

Finally, it is okay to get angry, but only with righteous anger. Anger generally however leads to hatred, violence and sin. Any anger therefore must be dealt with immediately. Go and sort out the problem, don’t brood over it.