Ephesians 4:22-24 – that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

The old man means all that you were before your conversion. As far as your position in Christ is concerned, the old man was crucified and buried with Christ. In practice, you must reckon it to be dead. Here Paul is emphasizing the positional side of this truth, you have put off the old man once and for all. Being renewed in the spirit of your mind points to a complete about-face in your thinking, a change from mental impurity to holiness. The new man is what you are in Christ. It is the new creation in which old things have passed away and all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Challenge:

To be an effective Christian, you must first take off your old lifestyle before you can put on the life God has for you. Then and only then can the Holy Spirit begin to transform your mind and heart for righteous living. This weeks challenge is to allow the Holy Spirit to change your fleshly thinking into godly thinking. Allow Jesus to shine through you by reacting to the challenges of your week with grace and wisdom rather than anger and frustration. You see, God knows the best way for you to respond to your situation so let Him instruct you before you act rather than having to forgive you after you act improperly. This is the way you live a Spirit led life. God bless you.