The google dictionary defines mindset  as an established set of attitudes held by a person.   Furthermore, the google dictionary defines Attitude as a resolved or established way of thinking or feeling about life (includes people, events, items etc), typically one that is reflected in a person’s behavior. I start off with these definitions because of its essence in  the formation of personhood. The mindset is a major component that forms a person, a person way of living is dependent on his or her mindset to live out who he or she is.

In today’s devotion, I want us to soak in the words from the Apostle Paul to the church in Ephesus in the chapter 4:14-24. Paul’s plea to the body of Christ to put off the old man(personhood) and put on the new man(personhood).

This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 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. – Ephesians 4:17-24

The Old Man

The life without Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is one that is lived in darkness. Paul addresses the believers this way that a life without Christ is a life that is lived in the “(1) the futility of their mind, having their (2) understanding darkened, being (3) alienated from the life of God, because of the (4) ignorance that is in them, because of the (5) blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to (6) lewdness, to work all (7$ uncleanness with greediness.” Beloved in Christ this was the life that many of us lived before we got saved, I share my testimony that I was delivered from such life when I got saved. Such life is one that is steeped in a mindset of worldliness. The thoughts, emotions and actions that are birth in this life is steeped in a life that is alienated from God, a self centered, self seeking life.  Dear one, God through Paul reveals to us that this type of life results in corruption. The end of such life is eternal death (Romans 6:23)

Beloved  we are called to PUT IT OFF  such life as saved children of God.  Yes for many years or even all of our lives, the old man life/ personhood/ mindset/ attitudes is what we have known but now a new person has been given to us in Christ Jesus. Let us put off the old man that we may be able to put on the new man.

The New Man

The new birth experience is one that words will not be enough describe, I felt like I was immersed in the pool of God’s love. The Spirit of God embraced me and my eyes were opened to the grace, glory and power of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In short l fell in total love with Jesus Christ and I fall more deeply in love with Him as I press on living for Him. It was through the hearing of the Word of truth  that revealed my Savior to me. I opened my heart and received the new person God created for me to live in righteousness and in holiness. The new man (person) is life created for me by God to live in union with God. Paul with his deep passion and love for the Church pleads with us to put on this new man (personhood).

Beloved in Christ, this new man is not a life that one strives to do the right things by oneself, it is not a life where you force yourself to do good things and feel happy about yourself. Rather it is a life of righteousness and holiness already created, made according to God, we are just ask to PUT IT ON to accept it and allow this life manifest through our living.

How to Put on the New Man

The key to putting on the new man is in verse 23 “and be renewed in the spirit of your mind,”. In Romans 12: 2 again it is echoed “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.”.  As I stated earlier, the major component of a person is their mindset, as a person thinks so he or she is. Paul knows this fundamental truth and so he says to us, do not strive to change habits, or actions or make forced to-do list instead be renewed in the spirit of your mind. Set your mind on things above, seek the truth of Jesus Christ, study the word of God, spent time with God in prayer.  Beloved as you set your mind to know God and His Word and get saturated in His love you start to see the new man (person) manifesting in you. The Spirit of God works with you and in you to live out God’s holiness and righteousness. The old man is put off when the mind is renewed and the new man is put on. A life soak in God bears witness by its fruits. The fruit of the Spirit becomes evident in a person who has renewed their mind in the truth of God’s word and abides in God.

It is my prayer as Paul prayed for the church in Colossae that you will be  filled you with the knowledge of God’s will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God. Amen.  Beloved in Christ, Jesus Christ loves you dearly because He died for you that you may have life and have it more abundantly. (John 10:10). Be blessed  ❤