Day 56 — Putting Away the Old Ways

Day 56 · Growing in Holiness, Love, and Wisdom · Ephesians 4:17-32 (NET2)

Learning Christ involves a new pattern of life. Paul names concrete changes: truth instead of deceit, useful work instead of theft, helpful words instead of destructive speech, and kindness instead of bitterness. The foundation is God’s forgiveness in Christ. We do not manufacture a new identity through these changes; we learn to live in keeping with the new life his grace has given.

Request

Father, help me live in the new life you have given me in Christ. Amen.

Read

Ephesians 4:17-32

¹⁷ So I say this, and insist in the Lord, that you no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. ¹⁸ They are darkened in their understanding, being alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts. ¹⁹ Because they are callous, they have given themselves over to indecency for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. ²⁰ But you did not learn about Christ like this, ²¹ if indeed you heard about him and were taught in him, just as the truth is in Jesus. ²² You were taught with reference to your former way of life to lay aside the old man who is being corrupted in accordance with deceitful desires, ²³ to be renewed in the spirit of your mind, ²⁴ and to put on the new man who has been created in God’s image —in righteousness and holiness that comes from truth.

²⁵ Therefore, having laid aside falsehood, each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor because we are members of one another. ²⁶ Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on the cause of your anger. ²⁷ Do not give the devil an opportunity. ²⁸ The one who steals must steal no longer; instead he must labor, doing good with his own hands, so that he will have something to share with the one who has need. ²⁹ You must let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but only what is beneficial for the building up of the one in need, that it would give grace to those who hear. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ You must put away all bitterness, anger, wrath, quarreling, and slanderous talk—indeed all malice. ³² Instead, be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you.

Scripture: NET Bible, Second Edition (NET2).

Reflect

1. Which old habits and new responses does Paul place side by side?
2. What specific replacement could you practice where an old habit persists?

Restate

Describe how God’s forgiveness motivates your treatment of others.

Respond

Let the passage guide your prayer. Use these prompts in your own words:

• Praise: Praise God for his renewing grace.
• Thanksgiving: Thank him for forgiving you in Christ.
• Confession: Confess a destructive habit in speech or conduct.
• Intercession: Pray for someone hurt by harsh words.
• Petition: Ask the Spirit to make your words and actions helpful.

Carry it into today: Replace one harmful response with the corresponding good action in this passage.