Grow into Christ and put off the old man

You now need to grow into Christ and put off the old man

Let the light of Christ permeate every facet of your life

Let your life be flood-lit by the light of Christ

Be renewed in the spirit of your mind

Let the life of Christ permeate every aspect of your being

Put on the new man who was created after God

Live in righteousness and holiness

Put to death the old man, old habits, and old way of thinking

In Ephesians 4:17-32 the word of God teaches us: 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, 18 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; 19 who being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanliness with greediness.

20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

25 Therefore putting away lying, “Let each of you speak truth with his neighbour”, for we are members of one another. 26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole, steal no longer, but rather let him labour, working with his own hands what is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need. 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

So then as you pray to God and read the word of God which renews your mind, your way of thinking and then your way of acting.  Jesus Christ who is the Word of God is light, the light of God begins to shine into your live. (John 1:4-5). That light shines in the dark areas of your life and the darkness flees. In Jesus Christ is also the life of God. You then begins to grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ or the attributes of Jesus Christ begin to manifest in you more and more.

 You then need to make a conscious effort to put away former conduct, habits of the past- which are driven by lust- these may include sexual immorality, substance misuse/ abuse (including tobacco, alcohol, illicit drugs), lying, wrath, unsavoury communication or inappropriate language including  swearing. You should develop a language or manner of speech that imparts grace to the hearers. You should put away bitterness, clamour, evil speaking and malice. You should put on tender-heartedness, kindness, a forgiving spirit and attitude as you have also been forgiven by Jesus Christ. Putting away some of the attributes of the “old man” may sometimes need time, intense counselling, guidance and support. This is necessary for the believer to realise “the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” and “grow up in all things into Him who is the head- Christ” (see Ephesians 4:13 and 15 above).

Summary

Experience the measure of the fullness of Christ

Grow up in all things unto Him

Be kind one to another, tender-hearted and forgive one another even as God in Christ also forgave you

Let your communication impart grace to the hearers.

Put off the old man and put on the new man who was created after God in true holiness and righteousness