A New Man

The New Man

Ephesians 4:17-19

17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

“Before we became Christians, our ethical "walk" was to a large part decided by our environment. We followed a path of moral aimlessness. In the following phrases, Paul catalogs nine basic spiritual characteristics of the Gentile world:

1. Futility (4:17)

2. Moral Confusion (4:18)

3. Alienation from God (4:18)

4. Rebellious Ignorance (4:18)

5. Hardness of Heart (4:18)

6. Dysfunctional Conscience (4:19)

7. Given over to Sensuality (4:19)

8. Impure Behavior (4:19)

9. Insatiable Self-centered Greed (4:19)”

- Glen Osburn (Contending For The Faith)

The Apostle Paul explains what characterized our former conduct as person without Christ, but proceeds to tell us what our current and future conduct should be as a Christian.

Ephesians 4:20-24

20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 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.

If we have learned, heard, and been taught about the person and work of Jesus Christ, we should put off our former conduct and be renewed in our mind. By renewing our minds and bringing our thoughts captive to Jesus we can display righteousness and holiness in our lives. How will God and the those around us see the righteousness and holiness of Christ manifested in our lives?

Galatians 5:22-25

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

A Christian renews their mind by diligent study of the word and walking in the Spirit, continually developing a character of:

1. Love

2. Joy

3. Peace

4. Longsuffering

5. Kindness

6. Goodness

7. Faithfulness

8. Gentleness

9. Self Control

-Eric Bullock, Evangelist