Our Mind: Choosing to Dress Wisely

What have we learned so far in Ephesians 4? “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,”(vs17) Paul goes on to say they are alienated, ignorant, and blind in heart. (Eph. 4:18) This is NOT what we’ve learned. Instead, we’re to realize our ability and responsibility to dress our minds properly in sound doctrine, as who we have been created in Christ. Ephesians 4:22-24 relays our instruction: “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.” Paul relays the ‘how to:’ “And be ye renewed in the spirit of your mind.” Regularly take in by faith sound doctrine (Romans-Philemon) and dwell on this, minding it for understanding and application. Consciously and wisely decide what to mind: “put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” It’s NOT to be a fair show in the flesh but led by the Spirit.

Dress the mind with spiritual thinking, realizing we’re a new creature and His Temple, functioning in sound doctrine as godly adults. (I Cor 6:19-20) We’re created in Christ for His eternal purpose to intimately work with God. “For we are labourers together with God.” (I Cor. 3:9a) Therefore, we are to “walk worthy” in this vocation, in unity with the Father and as His Body, working to attain unto the goals laid before us, (vs12), to grow and teach others in love as His workman.

Paul laid forth the first step in how to do this by spiritually dressing ourselves properly. As we put off ungodly thinking, the desire to live like we did before being justified diminishes. Our flesh and the now dead old man (Rom. 6:6) is no longer in control or leading us to sin. Instead, we can choose by faith to renew our mind by reading, believing, and living sound doctrine. This is how we put on a new way, clothing ourselves in God’s wisdom/character: We are to “put on the new man,” (vs24) resulting in the fruit of the Spirit. This process enables us to live resurrection life, so Christ is manifest and magnified in our mortal bodies.

To Do: Start each day and think what you will put on, remembering who you are in Christ!