Putting on the New Man

The apostle Paul speaking under the influence of the Holy Spirit of God tells us Christians we are to put off the old man and put on the new man which was created in Christ Jesus for good works. Eph. 2:10. Ephesians 4:21-24 (NLT) ²¹ Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, ²² throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. ²³ Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. ²⁴ Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. We put on the new man by first renewing our minds. How we do this.

I. What we put into our minds determines what comes out. Proverbs 23:7 ⁷ For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. Jesus said in Luke 6:45 (NKJV)  A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. The word heart here refers to the mind because we don’t think with our heart but our mind.

The following scriptures tell us to fix our thoughts on these kinds of things. Philippians 4:8 (NLT) ⁸ And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

II. Putting on the new man requires surrendering all we are to God. Read Rom. 12:1-2 tells us to present our bodies to God as a living sacrifice and be transformed by the renewing of our mind. We renew our minds by reading God’s word to find His will and by prayer to communicate with Him.

God has given intellectual powers to man. Man thinks, reasons, and understands. Christ says that our minds and thoughts are to be centered upon God. We are to love God "with all our mind." When men push God out of their minds, their minds are void and empty of God and of His truth and morality and filled with evil thoughts.

III. We are to have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:13-16 (NLT) ¹³ When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths. ¹⁴ But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. ¹⁵ Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others. ¹⁶ For, “Who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?” But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.

Believers understand fully, as did Christ himself, the significance of the cross and what it meant for mankind’s salvation. We understand the importance of reading God’s word and praying. God speaks to us thru His word and praying is communicating with God. Praying is for listening as God speaks to our hearts.

No one can completely comprehend God (Romans 11:34), but through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, believers can understand spiritual truths that He chooses to reveal to us. Believers have insight into some of God’s plans, thoughts, and actions because, with the Spirit within, we have access thru God’s word and prayer to the mind of Christ. Through the Holy Spirit, believers can begin to know God’s thoughts, talk with him, and expect his answers to their prayers. Through His Sprit we can grow in putting on the new man.

what we put into it determines what comes out

how to renew yours

how to have the mind of Christ

 IV. Must control your mind—every thought. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NKJV)⁴ For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, ⁵ casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. Worldly weapons—wealth, fame, and political might—may wield some power on this earth, but they are useless in spiritual battles. The Devil’s strongholds include every proud argument that keeps people from knowing God and rebellious ideas. God has given us the power through His Spirit to control our thoughts.

When we pause and ask ourselves, where did this thought come from, we are bringing those thoughts into captivity to the obedience of Christ. Does what I am thinking glorify God and Jesus? Would I want Jesus to see me do this thing I am thinking? We have been given weapons to fight against the devil and his angels!

According to Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, I have underlined in the following passage God’s mighty weapons. They are faith, truth, righteousness, the gospel message, and the word of God. The Holy Spirit equips Christians for the struggle, providing the weapons they need to be strong in the Lord. Ephesians 6:10-18 (NLT) ¹⁰ A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. ¹² For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. ¹⁴ Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. ¹⁵ For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News –Gospel message so that you will be fully prepared. ¹⁶ In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. ¹⁷ Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. ¹⁸ Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

 Conclusion: As we put on the new man Christ created us to be we will see how victorious we can be against the attacks of the devil. This new man requires a renewed mind that the word of God brings to us. We must read God’s word daily and pray to Him. God says in His word when we seek Him with all our hearts, we will find Him. And when we find Him by reading His word, we will have the power to live victoriously the new life we have been given over self, sin, and the world. Let’s live who we were created to be.

INVITATION: If you have never asked Jesus to save you, you are totally lost forever. But you can change that by asking the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to forgive your sins against a Holy God and invite Him to live in you and take charge of your life. When you do that you will become a new creation in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)
¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.  You will also be given a home in Heaven with God the Father and Jesus Christ His Holy Son for an eternity.