Throw Off The Old You Already Wore Out

Change can feel like a threat, especially when it exposes the parts of us we would rather keep hidden. We open Ephesians 4:21–24 and get honest about what real Christian growth looks like: throwing off the old sinful nature, letting the Spirit renew our thoughts and attitudes, and putting on a new nature created to be like God. It is a short daily devotional with a clear goal, helping you start your day with faith, focus, and forward motion. 

Transcript

Ephesians 4 And Continual Growth

Throw Off Old Nature Put On New

Traps That Block Transformation

Practical Steps And Encouragement

SPEAKER_00 0:05

Good morning and welcome to Starting Right with Danny Mack. I'm going to be here every Monday to Friday to help you get a great five-minute start to your day. So grab your cup of coffee, sit back, relax, and let me help you start your day right. During my devotions yesterday morning, I was in Ephesians chapter 4. And what really struck me was an important truth that sometimes it's easy to forget. And that's the fact that the Christian walk is one of continual growth and constant change. We don't always like what it takes to cause us to grow, and as most people feel, change is not always comfortable for us either. But yet that's what God desires for us, so that we learn to become more and more like Him. Let's take a look at Ephesians chapter 4, verses 21 to 24. It says, Since you've heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and your attitudes. Put on your new nature created to be like God, truly righteous and holy. These verses remind us how important it is that we constantly are getting rid of our old selves and we're embracing the new that God has for us. And as we begin to understand it and embrace it, we can actually get excited about what God's doing in us. But sometimes we forget the good things that are involved with this putting on of the new nature that God has for us. And yet those benefits, they go beyond amazing. Picture this you're stepping into a life filled with compassion, confidence, kindness, and humility, patience and love. All of those things working together. When we embrace this new nature, we're not just transforming ourselves, but we're also inspiring others to join in. Remember that our faith and our joy that God gives us is contagious. When people see us full of joy and peace and acting and responding different, they want to figure out what that is and have it too, and the truth of God can break through to them. Now let's get real for just for a minute here. As much as we've lost this transformation to be a smooth sail, there are some emotional and spiritual traps that might try to trip us up. Some of the greatest weapons of the devil against us are negative self-talk, fear of change, and the oh so dreaded comparison game. Those things can really impact us deeply. But fear not. Recognizing these traps is the first step towards conquering them. And remember, we've got a divine support system cheering us on every step of the way. Here's the exciting part. We can totally overcome these traps and experience this new nature. We can replace negative thoughts and attitudes with truths from God's word that tells us how much he loves us, how much we are worth to him in spite of what the people around us think. God loves us. We can actually embrace change as an opportunity to grow. And remember that your journey is your journey. It's unique. So there's absolutely no need to compare yourself to anybody else. But surround yourself with people of faith who believe in the power of God and believe in you. Build yourself through prayer, meditating on the Lord and what he has for you, and spending time reaching out and encouraging other people around you. Remember that God has us on this journey to be like Him. It won't happen instantaneously, it won't happen without some bumps along the road. In fact, we may find times when we are wandering off track a little bit. But remember, every step you take towards putting off the old and putting on the new is a step towards aligning yourself with God's incredible plan for your life. So go ahead, my friends. Step into that new nature with confidence, with an assurity that God is with you. Find people around you who will encourage you and will lift you up and will help to keep you on track, and you have the opportunity to help keep them on track as well. You're not alone in this journey. So embrace the process, celebrate the small victories, and watch as your life blossoms into something incredible. Because you can make a difference in the world around you right now. Have a great day, my friends. Thank you for listening today. And I invite you to join me Monday to Friday right here on Starting Right with Danny Mack.