PUTTING ON THE NEW SELF (part 5 of 6)

COMMENT:
When Paul tells believers to “put on the new self”, 
he doesn’t ‘leave us hanging’ to try and figure out what that means.
With the Lord’s guidance, Paul is given the wisdom to list a few of 
the areas where we should focus as we make our transition to the ‘new self’.
This is the fifth of a six part series of brief devotionals the Lord has 
given me for guidance and for sharing with others who have a desire to 
become the new person He wants them to be.

SCRIPTURE:
“…and to put on the new self, 
created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
(Ephesians 4:24)

MEDITATION:
When we receive God’s salvation 
we are given His Spirit (Holy Spirit) to live within us.
The Holy Spirit serves as a seal of our redemption status.
Can you imagine how He feels 
whenever He sees us willfully sinning in His presence?
We can be very clever at hiding our sins from others, 
but not from the Holy Spirit.

He dwells within us to activate our conscience 
whenever we stray from God’s expectations of those who belong to Him.
He is also our encourager whenever Satan tries to dampen our spirit 
in order to render us ineffective as agents of the Lord.
Imagine for a moment how discouragement could become a downward spiral, 
if it were not for the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives.

Rather than grieve the Holy Spirit, we should have a desire to please Him.
Does it mean we will never fail?
Of course not, but it does mean that our primary focus 
is to do the things that will be pleasing to the Lord.

In previous verses, Paul gave the Ephesians specific areas to consider 
whenever ‘putting on the new self’, and here he gives them (and us) 
some things that need to be eliminated from our lives 
in order to prevent grieving the Holy Spirit.
Each of the ones he lists will in some way have a negative impact on others,
which is contrary to the Holy Spirit’s intentions 
of having a positive impact on our own lives.

We grieve the Holy Spirit whenever our actions and words 
indicate that He is not living in us. 
He listed things like lying, stealing, anger, etc. 
but it also includes the way we speak.
Some freely use profanity and justify it by saying, “That’s just who I am”.
Really? Is that how the Lord made you? Is that how the Lord wants you to be?

How does that type of language encourage others to become followers of Christ?
If just one person is turned away from the Lord from the words we use,
then wouldn’t it make sense to change our habits and allow the Holy Spirit 
to have complete control of our lives, including our language?

When He is in control, our language will not grieve Him.
The words we speak should be flavored with the Holy Spirit 
so they will encourage others, and not distract or confuse them
about our relationship with the Lord.

Paul is very blunt about telling us 
to get rid of specific things in our lives.
Why? Because they should not be a part of the ‘new self’ we put on.
Bitterness, rage, anger, fighting, slander and malice are all indications 
that a person is self-centered and not concerned about others, 
which is contrary to Paul’s message to the Philippians (and us).
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, 
in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to 
your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 
(Philippians 2:3-4)

Doing things that grieve the Holy Spirit is not expected of those 
who have ‘put on the new self’ as one who has been ‘created to be like God’.
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the 
day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and 
slander, along with every form of malice. (Ephesians 4:30-31)

ACTION:
Pray,
“Heavenly Father forgive me for the times I have grieved the Holy Spirit 
and help me to focus on things that will please Him (and You) from now on.”