Instructions for Christian Living

As the Apostle Paul penned his letter to the church in Ephesus, he found it necessary to provide the new believers with clear instructions for Christian living. The Ephesian Christians had recently come to faith in Christ, transitioning from their former pagan lifestyles to a life centered on the truth of the Gospel. In Ephesians 4:17-28, Paul outlines the stark contrast between the old self and the new self in Christ, calling the believers to "put off" their former way of life and "put on" the new nature they have received through salvation.

Thankfully, our spiritual lives aren't limited by unchangeable actions or attitudes. Paul stressed this liberating truth to the new believers at Ephesus. The Gentiles were "darkened in their understanding," he said, their minds closed to God. They possessed hardened hearts containing "every kind of impurity," and sought only after pleasures and greed (Ephesians 4:18-19). But "since you have heard about Jesus" and His truth, the apostle wrote, "throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life" (v. 22). Paul noted how our old nature "is corrupted by lust and deception." He said, "Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy" (vv. 22-24).

Then, he listed new ways to live: Stop lying, resist anger, stop cursing, and quit stealing. "Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need" (v. 28). Our new self in Christ allows us to live a life worthy of our calling, yielded to our Savior's way.

The Old Self: Darkened in Understanding and Corrupt in Nature

At the outset of this passage, Paul provides a somber description of the Ephesians' former state before encountering the transformative power of the Gospel. He writes, "This I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart" (Ephesians 4:17-18, ESV).

The apostle's words paint a bleak picture of the unbeliever's spiritual condition. Apart from Christ, the human mind is "futile" or worthless, devoid of true wisdom and understanding. The Gentiles, representing those outside the covenant community of God's people, are "darkened in their understanding," their minds clouded by the darkness of sin and spiritual blindness. This darkness stems from their "alienation from the life of God," a tragic separation from the source of all life and truth.

Paul attributes this spiritual darkness to the "ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart." When left to its own devices, the human heart becomes hardened and calloused, resistant to the truth of God and the wooing of the Holy Spirit. This hardness of heart leads to willful ignorance, a refusal to acknowledge and submit to Christ's Lordship.

The apostle describes the depravity that flows from this condition, writing, "They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity" (Ephesians 4:19, ESV). The unbelieving heart, divorced from the life-giving power of God, becomes "callous" or insensitive to moral and spiritual realities. Consequently, the individual surrenders to the unrestrained indulgence of sinful desires, becoming "greedy to practice every kind of impurity."

This bleak portrayal of the human condition apart from Christ serves as a sobering reminder of the depth of our spiritual need and the Gospel's transformative power. It is a call to recognize the gravity of our sinful nature and the necessity of the new life available in Christ.

The New Self: Renewed in Mind and Transformed in Behavior

Having established the stark contrast between the old self and the new self in Christ, Paul exhorts the Ephesian believers to embrace their new identity and the transformed life it brings. He writes, "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" (Ephesians 4:20-21, ESV).

The apostle reminds the believers that their newfound faith in Christ has fundamentally changed the trajectory of their lives. They are no longer to "walk as the Gentiles do" (v. 17) but rather to embrace the truth that they have "learned" and been "taught" concerning the person and work of Christ. This truth, "in Jesus," starkly contrasts the futility and darkness that characterized their former way of life.

Paul then issues a clear call to action, urging the believers to "put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires" (Ephesians 4:22, ESV). The metaphor of "putting off" the old self suggests a decisive break with the past, a shedding of the old nature that is "corrupt" and enslaved to "deceitful desires." This transformation is not a passive process but rather a deliberate and intentional act of the will, empowered by the transformative work of the Holy Spirit.

In place of the old self, Paul instructs the believers to "be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:23-24, ESV). The renewal of the mind is a crucial component of the Christian's transformation, as the apostle recognizes that lasting change must begin in the realm of thought and perspective. As the power of the Holy Spirit renews the believer's mind, they are empowered to "put on the new self," which is fashioned in the image of God, characterized by "true righteousness and holiness."

This dramatic shift from the old self to the new self is not merely a change in outward behavior but a fundamental transformation of the individual's very nature and identity. The believer is no longer defined by the corruption and deceit of their former way of life but rather by the holiness and righteousness that are the hallmarks of their new life in Christ.

Practical Outworkings of the New Self

Having established the theological foundation for the believer's transformation, Paul then outlines several practical applications that flow out of the new self in Christ. These instructions serve as a roadmap for the Ephesian Christians as they seek to live out their faith in the context of their daily lives.

Honesty and Truthfulness

The apostle's first practical exhortation is to "put away falsehood" and "speak the truth" with one's neighbor (Ephesians 4:25, ESV). Lying and deception, characteristic of the old self, have no place in the believer's life. Instead, the new self is marked by honesty, integrity, and truthfulness in all of one's interactions with others.

Paul grounds this call to truthfulness in the believer's union with Christ, writing, "for we are members of one another" (Ephesians 4:25, ESV). The metaphor of the body of Christ, in which all believers are interconnected as members, serves as the foundation for the expectation of truthfulness and transparency. Lying and deception damage individual relationships and undermine the unity and witness of the broader faith community.

Righteous Anger and Conflict Resolution

The apostle then addresses the issue of anger, acknowledging that it is not inherently sinful but rather can be a righteous response to injustice and evil. He writes, "Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil" (Ephesians 4:26-27, ESV).

This instruction highlights the importance of harnessing and channeling anger in a manner that is consistent with the new self in Christ. When properly directed and processed, anger can be a catalyst for positive change and a means of challenging sin and unrighteousness. However, Paul cautions the believers against allowing their anger to fester, lest it provide an opportunity for the devil to sow discord and division within the community.

The apostle's words underscore the need for believers to engage in timely conflict resolution, addressing grievances and relational tensions before they have a chance to take root and become entrenched. This response preserves the church's unity and integrity and reflects the Gospel's transformative power to bring reconciliation and restoration where there was once brokenness and strife.

Appropriate Speech and Verbal Integrity

Continuing his practical instructions, Paul addresses the issue of speech, calling the believers to "[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).

The apostle recognizes the immense power of the spoken word, both for good and ill. The old self was characterized by "corrupting talk," language that was profane, derogatory, or otherwise detrimental to the well-being of others. In contrast, the new self is to be marked by speech that is edifying, encouraging, and grace-filled, serving to build up the body of Christ and point others to the transformative power of the Gospel.

This instruction extends beyond merely abstaining from curse words or vulgar language; it calls the believer to cultivate a speech pattern that is intentionally constructive and spiritually beneficial. The words that flow from the lips of the Christian are to be carefully considered, selected, and delivered in a manner that reflects the individual's renewed nature and serves to advance the kingdom of God.

Stewardship, Generosity, and Labor

Finally, Paul addresses the issue of theft and material stewardship, writing, "Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need" (Ephesians 4:28, ESV).

The apostle's instruction here is twofold: first, he calls the believer to cease the destructive practice of theft, which is a hallmark of the old self and undermines the community's well-being. Second, he encourages the believer to engage in honest, hard work, using the fruits of their labor to meet their needs and, more importantly, share with those in need.

This instruction reflects the biblical principle of stewardship, whereby the believer recognizes that all they possess, including their time, talents, and resources, ultimately belong to God and are to be used for His glory and the advancement of His kingdom. The new self in Christ is marked by a spirit of generosity and a willingness to sacrifice personal gain to serve others and meet their tangible needs.

Conclusion

The instructions for Christian living outlined by the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:17-28 provide a compelling vision for the transformed life available to all who put their faith in Christ. The stark contrast between the old and new selves is a powerful reminder of the depth of our spiritual need and the radical nature of the Gospel's redemptive work.

As believers, we are called to shed the trappings of our former way of life, characterized by spiritual blindness, moral corruption, and self-serving indulgence. In their place, we are to embrace the renewed mind and transformed behavior that are the hallmarks of our new identity in Christ. This involves a deliberate commitment to honesty, righteous anger, edifying speech, and faithful stewardship of the resources entrusted to us.

While the path of Christian discipleship is not without its challenges, the apostle's instructions offer a clear roadmap for living a life worthy of our calling and bringing glory to our Savior. As we surrender ourselves to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, we can experience the joy and freedom that come from shedding the old self and embracing the new self, created in the image of God and empowered to live a life of holiness and righteousness.

May these words from the Apostle Paul serve as a clarion call to all who profess faith in Christ, urging us to "put off" the old and "put on" the new so that we might walk worthy of the Gospel and be used by God to transform the world around us.