#1456. Put off the old way of thinking - by the power of the Spirit (19/3/26)
- Matt Beaney
- Feb 19
- 5 min read
Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (posted, at present, every weekday) as we continue our Ephesians series: Ephesians - To the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God.
From Ephesians 4:23, we see that our thinking can change because the Holy Spirit is able to change it.
To watch this devotional, please select the link below:
‘You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds…’ (Ephesians 4:22-23 - we will focus on v. 23)
1. Our thinking needs to be transformed
In order to recognise and effectively ‘put off the old self,’ we must also ‘be made new in the attitude of our minds.’
The Christian life is always balanced. We are not only called to put off the old self; we are also called to be made new and to put on the new self. Christianity is not merely about stopping sinful behaviour — it is about being transformed by ‘putting on’ the new.
However, to put on the new life, we must have a renewed mind.
It’s so important that we realise that our way of thinking has been formed. Our upbringing, our culture, our temperament, our exposure to different information and education, along with our sinful nature, all shape our way of thinking - our beliefs, values and character.
It’s also important to believe that our thinking can change - we are not fixed or imprisoned by our current state of mind.
I don’t know if you’ve ever heard of ‘reverse culture shock’? Its’ when someone, after living abroad for a time, returns home but are very unsettled because things have changed. However, I want to suggest that the biggest change is in the person rather than the culture they are returning to. All this to say that we can change - for good or bad.
Christians, however, are to seek to transform the mind toward truth and by God’s truth.
The Expositors Bible Study comments:
‘In effect, for renewal to transpire, believers must allow God to transform their ways of thinking in the innermost recesses of who they are’ (The Expositor's Bible Commentary)
2. The Holy Spirit transform our mind
This renewal is not something we can achieve by willpower alone. It is the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and minds.
It’s very significant that Paul focuses on the renewal of our thinking with the phrase, that the greek behind it reads: ‘…To be made new in the spirit (or Spirit) of your mind,’.
This can refer to a person’s spiritual state of mind — the inner attitude that shapes how we think, desire, and act.
However, here, it’s probably best to see this as the Holy ‘Spirit’ working on the mind and renewing it. The Spirit transforms our thinking and our hearts. He transforms our ability to understand the gospel, Jesus, God, His will and, ultimately, gives us the desire to do God’s will.
He does not merely change what we do - He changes how we think. As Paul writes:
“Put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” (Colossians 3:10)
As the Spirit works within us, our values change, our priorities shift, and our desires are gradually reshaped to reflect the character of Christ.
Response
Do we believe that the Holy Spirit wants to — and is able to — renew our minds and hearts?
To be made new by the Spirit requires prayerful dependence and intentional engagement with God’s truth. We ask for His help, and we choose to fill our minds with what is good, true, and life-giving.
Paul reminds us in Colossians:
‘Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.’ (Colossians 3:1-2)
Let us daily invite the Spirit to renew our thinking, reshape our desires, and form Christ’s character in us so that our lives increasingly reflect the nature of Christ.
Community Group Notes
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
2. Icebreaker
Something that builds relationships and confidence to share; it’s good to regularly use this moment to ask the group: How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you?
3. Worship together
Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.
4. Study and pray together
Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a healthy balance between discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.
On Sunday, we continued our series in Ephesians: To the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God, focusing on Ephesians 4:17–24 and how we are to pursue the new life we have in Christ.
Please read Ephesians 4:17-24 and discuss:
1. Personal Reflection
What stood out to you from Sunday’s message or this passage?
Did the Spirit particularly impress anything on your heart?
Chapter 4 is taking us into application; having begun with how, as the body of Christ, we are to pursue unity and loving use our gifts to build one another up, he now insists we no longer live like those who don’t know Jesus.
2. A new attitude to sex and relationships
Verse 19, is about sexual sin - the reference to ‘greed’ is to be understood as having ‘an insatiable desire for more’.
Why is this especially important for us to hear in our culture?
What does pursuing godliness in relationships look like in practice?
3. Be aware of deceitful desires
Verse 20, speaks of ‘deceitful desires’. Why must we not trust every thought or desire we experience?
How do we learn to recognise what comes from the ‘old self’ - the flesh - versus what comes from the Spirit?
4. Renewed minds by the Spirit
We are to pursue being ‘made new in the attitude (Spirit of) of your minds’; how does dependence on the Spirit and personal effort work together for our transformation?
SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)
Put on the new self: How does our ‘becoming like God’ lead to our becoming a light in this world?
Sharing Stories – Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing stories of how we’ve seen God at work through simple faithfulness.
Practical Next Steps – Who might God be placing on your heart at this time? Are there any “people of peace” (see note) in your life—those who seem open, welcoming, or receptive to spiritual conversation?
Let’s Pray Together
Let’s pray for one another in light of what we’ve studied and bring any other needs before God.
Pray for courage, wisdom, and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit in our Serve, Invest, and Invite opportunities.
Pray specifically for the ‘people of peace’ in our lives - that God would open hearts and deepen relationships.
General prayer: From our study, or from personal needs, how do people want prayer?
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