Put Off The Old

This is one of the things that the Apostle Paul told the Ephesians.  He told them, “With respect to your former lifestyle you are to lay aside the old self corrupted by its deceitful desires, be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self-created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”  How are we going to accomplish this?  Getting in the Word would be a great beginning because without spending time in the Word, how will one know how to live?  The Word of God is our guide for Christian living.  In the time when Paul was talking to the Ephesians they didn’t have the New Testament like we have, so all they could do was listen to Paul the Apostle and the other disciples that were ordained by God.  We have the whole gospel, so if we are Christians we have no excuse not to read it unless we have a physical handicap that keeps us from being able to read it.  But even in this case, unless you are deaf, you can hear it on records or tapes or by CD’s or maybe even brail.  

I know that if we can, we need to hear the Word also, but how will we know that what’s being said is truth or error if we don’t read it for ourselves.  Today, as in Paul’s day, there are many that preach and teach non truths.  I realize that God’s Word says this, “Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God,” Romans 10:17.  It also says this, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workmen that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth,” 2 Timothy 2:15.  

So we have the faith factor here that comes by hearing the Word and also the approved factor by reading and studying the Word.  Both hearing and studying yourself are very important.  This is important also, regardless of how you receive God’s Word you may want to try this, ask the Lord to allow His precious Holy Spirit to teach you and to bring the truth back to your remembrance when you need it and to help you to hide it in your heart so that you might not sin against Him.  Ask him to remove any obstacles that may be clouding your mind and ask Him to open your eyes and ears to receive whatever it is that the Lord wants to teach you, or show you.

Check this out in John 14:26, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”

Now read Romans 12:2, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”  How will we transform our minds?  We will transform them by praying and reading and listening to the Word of God diligently and putting His Word into practice and spending time worshiping and praising the Lord!!  If you continue doing these things, you will be putting off the old man and putting on the new man, praise the Lord. Just walk in the fear and reverence of the Lord.

May the good Lord bless you and yours with His perfect peace, love and joy and may you have a super day!!