“Walk like Christ pt. 2 - Putting on the New Self”
Sermon Title: Walk like Christ pt. 2 - Putting on the New Self
Scripture: Ephesians 4:20-32 ESV
Introduction
Now, isn't it interesting how attached we are to things that don't fit us anymore? get attached to things of the past and we have a hard time letting go even though we know that it doesn’t suit us anymore.
Now when we pick in our text today, Paul is reminding the people of God that there is a new spiritual wardrobe that they are to be wearing. He wants to let us know that the old wardrobe needs to be taken off and something new needs to be put on. And that something new is the way of the resurrected Jesus and of his kingdom.
So in this section of Chapter Four, Paul's using new language new metaphors to talk about - what does it mean for us to walk in the way of the resurrected Jesus?
Message
In verses 20-22, Paul says, “But that is not the way you learned Christ!—assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires” (Ephesians 4:20-22).
Paul is essentially saying, “Hey, we talked about your old way of life, and we agreed to throw it out like an old wardrobe. But now, you’ve gone back to the trash, taken it out, and put it back on. If it didn’t look good before, it certainly doesn’t look any better now.” Imagine buying a brand-new suit and then digging through the trash to find the old one, only to wear it over the new one. That’s what happens when we return to our old ways of living—we’re literally digging in the trash! Paul is pointing out the deep challenge of life: we often revert to a way of living that no longer fits us.
Now, here’s an important tension we need to recognize: it’s possible to be seated with Christ and still have our old selves influencing us. But notice that Paul doesn’t say, “Because you went back to your old ways, you’ve lost your seat.” He doesn’t tell us that reverting back makes us lose our place with Christ. Nor does he say that being seated with Christ makes the way we live irrelevant. No, Paul says that because we are seated with Christ, we must live in a new way.
When Paul uses the language of “taking off” and “putting on” in this passage, we tend to think of changing garments. We imagine removing old, worn clothes and putting on something new. As helpful as this metaphor is, it might not be the most accurate. It implies that putting off the old self and putting on the new self is easy, as if it’s something we can do by simply choosing to. It’s like coming home from a camping trip, taking off your dirty clothes, and slipping into fresh ones after a shower. But that’s not how it works in our spiritual reality.
Don’t you wish you could just say, “I’m done with depression, addiction, hatred, and judgmentalism,” and simply take them off? Don’t you wish you could slip on righteousness, grace, and love as easily as putting on fresh clothes? Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Our spiritual journey is far more complex.
That’s why I want to normalize something: the process of putting off the old self and putting on the new is difficult. We need to accept that our journey toward Christlikeness is slow, full of ups and downs, setbacks, struggles, and failures. If we don’t normalize this reality, we either live in shame or project false strength. We might feel shame, asking ourselves, “How am I still wrestling with this sin? Why am I still struggling?” But we need to remember that life is a series of highs and lows, yet God’s grace and forgiveness are always available, so we can keep trying. Don’t let shame overwhelm you or lead you into depression.
At the same time, don’t project strength that isn’t real. Many of us hide our weaknesses because we don’t want to face our failures. We present a false image of strength to cover the mess in our lives. But let me tell you, this experience of setbacks and failures is part of the normal Christian life. Don’t let shame or the pressure to appear strong hinder your spiritual walk. We need to normalize these struggles.
So, the journey of putting off the old self and putting on the new isn’t like simply changing clothes. I would suggest that it’s more like getting a tattoo removed. The old way of life has been tattooed onto us—our behaviors, values, thoughts about ourselves, others, and the world. Family patterns, personal and social traumas, the shame from past mistakes, and the abuse we’ve experienced—they’ve all left their mark. And it’s not just about what others have done to us but also what we’ve done to others. The anger, prejudice, and gossip we carry have been tattooed on us as well. So, taking off the old self isn’t easy—it’s like removing a tattoo.
I recently read an article by a dermatologist named David Green about tattoo removal, and this is what it said: “What makes tattoo removal so difficult is that multiple lasers are required to remove various colors. Each color requires a different wavelength, which means different lasers might need to be used. Traditionally, blue and black colors are the easiest to remove, while other shades are harder for the light to get rid of. Size also plays a role—the larger the tattoo, the more time it will take. Not only is tattoo removal time-consuming, but it’s also costly. Prices start at $400 per session, and it can take at least five treatments just to remove a small black tattoo the size of a quarter. Larger tattoos with more complex colors can take 10 or more sessions. Plus, there’s a six to eight-week waiting period between sessions to allow the skin to heal.”
We often want quick results. We say, “Pastor, just pray this out of me!” We want a fast track. But that’s not how it works. It takes time, effort, and sacrifice to remove the old self. However, here’s the good news: nothing that’s been tattooed on you is greater than the power of God to remove it! There’s nothing that’s been done to you or marked on you that is stronger than God’s power to set you free. There’s no behavior or sin that God’s power cannot liberate you from.
When Paul says we need to “put off the old self,” the Greek verb he uses is in the present continuous tense, meaning it’s an ongoing process. It’s not something that happens all at once; it’s a continual act of discipleship. Yet, what we often seek—both in the church and individually—is not deep transformation, but behavioral modification. Why? Because behavioral modification is easy, while true transformation is hard.
Growing up, I was taught a spirituality based on behavioral modification—stop doing this, start doing that, and you’ll be like Christ. While there is value in knowing right from wrong, Paul’s message goes deeper. Transformation isn’t just about changing outward behaviors. It’s not enough to stop bad habits or start new ones; true transformation is an inward change, not just behavioral modification.
Paul tells us to "put off" the old self continuously. But before we can fully put on the new self, which is created to be like Christ in true righteousness and holiness, he introduces the key concept of the "renewing of the mind" in Ephesians 4:23. This renewal acts as a bridge between the old self and the new. The church often focuses on filling our minds with scripture, which is important, but Paul’s message goes beyond that. Simply knowing the Bible doesn't equate to spiritual renewal. The Pharisees knew scripture extensively, yet Jesus called them "tombs filled with dead men’s bones" because they lacked inner transformation.
The true renewal of the mind happens through Spirit-empowered contemplation of Jesus, the living Word of God. As Paul says in 2 Corinthians 3:18, "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." The principle is clear: whatever we behold, we become. When we fix our attention on Jesus, transformation occurs.
Paul emphasizes that the renewing of the mind is not about trying harder or doing more religious activities. It happens by focusing on Jesus. The more we behold Jesus, the more the Holy Spirit works within us to transform our thoughts, desires, and actions. As we behold Jesus, the Spirit makes the changes in us that we cannot achieve through our own strength.
Thus, to be renewed in the spirit of our minds means focusing on Jesus—His life, His teachings, and His ways. It’s this deep, intentional contemplation of Christ that brings true transformation. The question for us today is: What are we beholding? What are we fixing our eyes on? If we want to put on the new self, it must come from beholding Jesus, allowing Him to shape us in true righteousness and holiness.
Putting Off the Old Self and Putting On the New
Paul teaches that transformation begins with the act of putting off the old self, which is more deeply ingrained than just external behavior. It’s a process of continual renewal and spiritual growth. He also gives us practical instructions for how to put on the new self that reflects the righteousness and holiness of Jesus Christ.
1. Put Away Falsehood
Paul’s first command is to "put away falsehood." He instructs believers to stop lying and start speaking the truth with one another. In Ephesians 4:25, he says:
"Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another." (Ephesians 4:25, ESV)
Lying has become a normalized part of society, but for Christians, truth is fundamental. By embracing truth, we reflect the character of Christ. The new self in Christ speaks honestly and openly, avoiding the deception and falsehood that is prevalent in the world.
2. Be Angry, But Do Not Sin
Paul addresses the emotion of anger, acknowledging that anger itself isn’t sinful, but how we respond to it can be. He states in Ephesians 4:26:
"Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger." (Ephesians 4:26, ESV)
While anger is a natural emotion, it can lead to sin if we allow it to fester. Suppressing anger can cause it to explode in disproportionate ways later. Instead of holding onto anger, Paul urges believers to bring their anger to God and trust Him with justice. Unresolved anger can provide an opportunity for the devil to influence us negatively, which is why it is crucial to let go of anger before it turns into bitterness.
3. Avoid Unwholesome Talk
Paul encourages believers to transform their speech in Ephesians 4:29:
"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." (Ephesians 4:29, ESV)
Words are powerful, and they can either build others up or tear them down. Even if what we say is truthful, we must consider whether our speech is helpful and loving. Paul reminds us to communicate in a way that is edifying, compassionate, and rooted in love. This principle applies not only to verbal communication but also to our online interactions and posts.
4. Let Go of Bitterness and Embrace Kindness
In verses 31-32, Paul calls for believers to remove all negative attitudes and emotions:
"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:31-32, ESV)
The new self in Christ is characterized by kindness, compassion, and forgiveness. Just as God forgave us through Christ, we are called to extend that same forgiveness to others. This is a mark of spiritual transformation and evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives.
Conclusion: The New Self Through Beholding Jesus
Paul’s teachings in Ephesians emphasize that true transformation comes by consistently putting off the old self and beholding Jesus. As we focus on Christ, we become more like Him. This new self—characterized by truth, controlled emotions, wholesome speech, and kindness—is the result of an ongoing process of renewal. Christ’s power can remove even the deepest imprints of the old self, leading to a life of righteousness and holiness.
This is the message of transformation that we are called to embrace and live out today.