Put Off and Put On - Becoming A Complete Christian

A Bible Study Class

“Put Off and Put On”

Ephesians 4:22-32 “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. 25 Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. 26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Introduction

We have been called to be God’s children, and disciples. We need to know how God’s children should behave. If we are God’s children, we must act like His children.

Today’s culture has tried to minimize the importance and effectiveness of being a Christian and the power of God.

it’s not enough to simply say we believe in Jesus. It’s not enough to say we have repented. It’s not enough to just say we are a child of God.

James 2:19 “19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!”

We know the children of our friends and family and some of them are unmistakably children of their parents even when they aren’t standing next to them.

They either look like, walk like, or talk like their father or mother.

Can someone we don’t know look at us and tell who is are Father? Do they see traits of Jehovah in and on us?

Our lesson text will give us something to compare ourselves to. It’s going to show us where we’re at in our obedience and worship of the Lord.

Ephesians 4:22.

Put Off The Old Man

We have to put away the thoughts, desires and actions of our old sinful ways.

We were all born with a sinful nature and we remained captivated by sin until we accepted Christ as our Savior.

Our old self is the person we were when we lived under the influence and control of sin.

We have to put off our sinful nature. We have to die to self!

Romans 6:6 “6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.”

Romans 8:13 “13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”

Ephesians 4:23.

There has to be a changing of the mind and attitude

Romans 12:2 “2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

To be conformed to this world is to take on the behavior, thoughts and desires of sinners.

The mind has to change from worldly thoughts to heavenly thoughts. After all, this world is temporary. What good would it do us to gain the world and lose our souls?

To prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God we have to be able to:

Live the way God wants us to live.

God is love, so we love. God is compassionate, so we show compassion and so forth.

We prove whose we are by our actions, even when no one is looking.

We can’t be made new in our minds and attitudes on our own.

We must believe in Jesus,

We must receive a new spiritual life through the Holy Ghost.

Ephesians 4:24.

Once we’ve put off the old, we must put on the new.

new thoughts.

new desires.

new actions.

People try to put off the old but don’t put on the new.

people try to stop bad and sinful habits.

try to love everybody.

they are led into a life of aimlessly drifting from one situation to another, making one bad decision after another, making one one mistake after another.

This leads to a life that lacks spiritual stability and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 12:43-45 “43 “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. 44 Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. 45 Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.””

A commentary reads: When a man comes to Jesus and repents of his sin, Jesus forgives him. Jesus cleanses him. He casts out his sin. Just as Jesus cast out evil spirits, so He casts out our spirit of selfishness and pride when we repent. However, many people came to Jesus and to John the Baptist and repented of their sins, but then quickly fell away. Why? Because they did not receive the Holy Spirit. The spirit of sin had left them, but the Holy Spirit had not come in. Their “houses” had been left unoccupied and swept clean. They had not brought forth the fruits in keeping with repentance (Matthew 3:8). Their faith had not grown. And so the old spirit of sin and selfishness came back in. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. Such people have tasted the blessing of Christ, but in the end reject Him. Such people cannot be brought back to repentance again

QUESTION: What stops people from putting on the new provided the Holy Ghost?

Illustration

Professionals where uniforms that identify what they do. Athletes, doctors, nurses, and other workers have identifiers that let us know where their on their way to when they go to work.

When we wear the uniform of a disciple of Christ, a Christian we are identifying with Jesus’ behavior, mind, love, sacrificial life, and compassion. This is how the world knows we are His.

Ephesians 4:25-31.

We have to put away:

Lying - speak the truth to each other.

Anger

When we become angry, and we will, we can’t let it tempt us to do something that’s against the word of God.

Sometimes its best to be quiet, regroup and then approach the situation. In many cases, once we walk away, and think about it, we see the situation doesn’t even merit our response.

Psalm 4:4 “4 Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah”

Sometimes our anger is justified but we should pray for the wisdom on how to properly respond.

Don’t give place to the devil. He is always looking for an opportunity to use our anger for his purpose.

Question: How can the devil use our anger against us?

We have to stop stealing and work for our possessions so we can have something to even give to those in need.

Stop conversations full of corrupt words. Our conversation should edify and impart grace to who we talk to

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit

when we sin we trouble and disappoint, and insult the Spirit.

the Spirit is grieved by every kind of unholiness.

when we grieve the Spirit, he draws away from us

Isaiah 63:10 “10 But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit; So He turned Himself against them as an enemy, And He fought against them.”

Put away all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking.

Be kind and tenderhearted.

Forgive even as Christ forgave you.

Conclusion - The Birthmark

A birthmark is an unusual mark or blemish on the skin at birth.

People say certain birthmarks mean something. My mother said she craved ice cream so I have a light colored birthmark on my left leg.

When we are born again, there is a birthmark on us. That birthmark is because of the cleansing and renewing we received when were born again and washed in the blood of the Lamb. - Hallelujah!!!