THE BATTLE WITHIN

A NEW WAY OF THINKING

MAIN SCRIPTURE

Ephesians 4:20–24 (CSB)

20 But that is not how you came to know Christ,
21 assuming you heard about him and were taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus,
22 to take off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires,
23 to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
24 and to put on the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth.

INTRODUCTION — YOU CAN’T LIVE A NEW LIFE WITH YOUR OLD WAY OF THINKING

Over the past three weeks, we’ve learned to recognize thoughts that don’t agree with God’s truth, take those thoughts captive, and become intentional about what we dwell upon. But what happens when the problem isn’t just an individual thought but an entire way of thinking? Sometimes our attitudes, experiences, and habits have shaped our thinking for so long that they feel completely natural to us.

In Ephesians 4, Paul reminds believers that knowing Jesus should change the way we live. But that change involves more than our outward behavior. It requires a renewal of our minds. Paul gives us three instructions that show us how to leave behind our former way of life and live according to our new identity in Christ.

TAKEAWAY 1 — TAKE OFF YOUR FORMER WAY OF LIFE

Ephesians 4:22

22 … to take off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires

BIBLE NOTES

Paul reminds believers that knowing Christ should change how they live. He tells them to take off their former way of life, much like removing dirty clothes that no longer belong on us. Our old attitudes, desires, and behaviors shouldn’t continue defining us now that we belong to Christ.

Paul describes the old self as corrupted by deceitful desires. Our feelings and desires can promise happiness or satisfaction while leading us away from God. Just because we’ve always thought or responded a certain way doesn’t mean it’s right. We must recognize the old patterns we’ve carried into our Christian lives and be willing to leave them behind.

APPLICATION: Stop holding on to the old ways of thinking that Christ has called you to leave behind.

TAKEAWAY 2 — BE RENEWED IN THE SPIRIT OF YOUR MINDS

Ephesians 4:23

“To be renewed in the spirit of your minds.”

BIBLE NOTES

Paul places the renewing of our minds between taking off the old self and putting on the new. The Greek word ananeoō, translated “renewed,” means to be made new or renewed. Paul is describing an ongoing change in our inner thinking. The “spirit of your minds” refers to the inner attitude or disposition that influences how we see life. God wants to change more than our outward behavior; He wants His truth to reshape the attitudes and beliefs behind our actions.

This renewal isn’t something we accomplish through willpower alone. It is God’s work in us as we respond to His truth. We may have spent years believing certain things about ourselves or responding to situations in unhealthy ways, but those patterns don’t have to define our future. Through Christ, we can learn to see ourselves, others, and our circumstances differently. The way you’ve always thought doesn’t have to be the way you continue thinking.

APPLICATION: Allow God’s truth to change not just what you think, but the way you think.

TAKEAWAY 3 — PUT ON THE NEW SELF

Ephesians 4:24

“And to put on the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth.”

BIBLE NOTES

Paul completes the picture by telling us to put on the new self. Taking off dirty clothes is only part of the process; we also put on something clean. Likewise, the Christian life isn’t simply about removing old habits and attitudes. It’s about living according to the new identity God has given us in Christ, reflecting His righteousness and purity in our everyday lives.

Renewed thinking should produce visible changes in how we live. Instead of responding with anger, we learn patience. Instead of assuming the worst, we extend grace. Paul continues in the following verses by encouraging believers to speak truth, deal appropriately with anger, and use their words to build others up. We don’t put on the new self to earn a new identity; we do it because Christ has already given us one.

APPLICATION: Let the way you think and live reflect who you are in Christ.

CLOSING CHALLENGE — LEAVE THE OLD BEHIND

Throughout this series, we’ve learned to recognize wrong thoughts, take them captive, and be intentional about what occupies our minds. Today, Paul challenges us to examine the old attitudes and patterns of thinking we may still be carrying into our new lives in Christ.

• What old way of thinking do you need to leave behind?
• Where does God’s truth need to renew your mind?
• What would it look like to live according to your new identity in Christ this week?