Pastor Rockwell / IN WITH THE NEW, OUT WITH THE OLD

Pastor Jerry Rockwell

IN WITH THE NEW, OUT WITH THE OLD

Ephesians 4:17-30

 Introduction: As long as I can remember, the New Year, which occurs on January 1 of every year, we take up the statement, “In with the new, out with the old.” That is when we make “resolutions” for the coming year. Sadly, though, most of us do not keep them much longer than a few days. Another, “sadly,” we do the same with our spiritual life. We commit to serving the Lord, and some of our favorite activities creep in. Before the following Sunday, we had forgotten our commitments and moved back to a life of satisfying the flesh, which had dominated our lives for such a long time. One of the reasons I believe this happens is that we were comfortable with the lifestyle of carnality, so we find it a hard habit to break.

Our text is very similar to this, but it contrasts the importance of understanding that God is interested in how we function by the work of the Holy Ghost living in us, and how comfortable we become with the “old life” and find it hard to start a life of pleasing God instead of self. One writer makes a strong statement about what we are to do as Christians. He says, “There must be the complete abandonment of the old way of living.” Paul uses the contrast of the two lifestyles as a “walk.” The word is found in Ephesians six times. The first one is Ephesians 2:10 (KJV) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. This verse sets the tone for what Paul wants the believers in Ephesus to apply to their lives. Since, we are believers, not different than they (except to the time in which each live with other cultures), and need to realize that God determined that even before we were saved God determined that we should learn to “walk” in “good works” in concordance with what is stated in the Bible and how we handle our relationship with Jesus Christ. The text of Ephesians also tells us to “walk in love” (Eph. 5:2), to “walk as children of light” (Eph. 5:8), and “walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise” (Eph. 5:15). Notice that Ephesians 4:17 was left out since it is part of our text. It says in Ephesians 4:17 (KJV) This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind. Two things to note here: (1) “walk not as others Gentiles walk” and (2) “in the vanity of their minds.” These take on a meaning we often overlook. The first one is not to walk as a lost person walks. The word “walk” can take on the meaning of “lifestyle.” We must learn to develop our lives after the “new man.” Look again at Ephesians 2:15 (KJV) Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace. We do not realize the “old life” has some “commandments we follow, and Paul defines them as “ordinances.” When we are saved, we have been made a “new” person according to 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. When you are saved, you are a new person, and you have the presence of the Holy Ghost that will nudge you when you act like the old person. We often ignore the promptings of the Holy Ghost. The second phrase, “in the vanity of our minds,” the Bible states that we ignore the new life and slide back into the old lifestyle (backsliding). This is the theme of this passage under consideration. This takes us to an exposition of the verses under study.

  1. THE WALK OF THE OLD MAN, Ephesians 4:17-19. There is an event in the Old Testament when Hezekiah was king of Judah. Sennacherib, king of Assyria, proposed to invade Judah. Hezekiah did several things to strengthen Judah’s defenses, yet he encouraged the people to “be strong and courageous, be not afraid. . .there be more with us than with him” (2 Chron. 32:7). Then he told them in 2 Chronicles 32:8 (KJV) With him [Sennacherib] is an arm of flesh; but with us [Judah] is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.  This is somewhat of the battle we have spiritually with the Devil “. . .seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). The following describes why a person behaves in the flesh, as Gentiles. We have three major enemies: “world, flesh, devil” (Eph. 6:11-12). When a believer is with the Lord Jesus Christ, there is victory over these three enemies.
  1. In the Vanity of their Minds, vs. 17. In Ephesians 4:1, Paul exhorted the believers to “walk worthy of the Lord” (Lord=Jesus Christ). Now he tells them (and us) to “walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind.” The word “vanity” has several nuances. It has the idea of “depravity” or “perverseness.” It can take on the meaning “devoid of truth and appropriateness.” It describes anyone who has no awareness of the truth of the Bible and is often satisfied with their lifestyle. The verse tells the Christians at Ephesus and Eastland Baptist Church to “walk not as other Gentiles walk.” The Christian can drift into a carnal lifestyle if they are not careful. A reading of 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 will demonstrate that this can happen to believers. The word “carnality” is found three times in the Old Testament, and each time it is a reference to sexual immorality. Peter warned those who live according to the flesh. He said in 2 Peter 2:10 (KJV) But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Again, in 2 Peter 2:18 (KJV), for when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. A Christian who lives a “carnal” lifestyle is walking “as men” and “selfwilled.” Christians can fall into this trap of the “flesh.” In other words, having a lifestyle as a lost person. Many Christians trust “the arm of flesh” (2 Chron. 32:8). We will study this further in Ephesians 6.
  2. Having Their Understanding Darkened, vs. 18. Here, two symptoms define “having their understanding darkened.” One is “alienated from the life of God, ” meaning to be covered with darkness and deprived of light. Of course, this is describing them and their mind and heart. Second, this comes about by “ignorance. . . because of the blindness of their heart.” They do not know God and are ignorant of who God is. That can be remedied by sharing the gospel of Christ with them. Others (mostly today) do not want to know about God. While visiting and witnessing, I have had more people in Orlando who do not want to know. This occurred to me several times in Orlando. Before that, I had only one person who did not want to know about God and expressed it. A blind heart is a dangerous spiritual malady that can only be penetrated by the Holy Spirit.
  3. Who Being Past Feeling, vs. 19. This is another dangerous spiritual, mental, and heart problem. This has the idea of callousness or apathy. When this takes place, they engage in “lasciviousness,” “uncleanness,” and “greediness,” and all of these words are in the verse. These three words speak volumes in identifying the lost person. 
  1. “lasciviousness” means filled with sexual desire or lewd, lustful behavior. 
  2. “uncleanness” has the basic meaning of “dirty” or “filthy,” and in the spiritual sense, it takes on the meaning of morally and spiritually impure. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary suggests it means “infected with a harmful supernatural contagion.”
  3. “greediness” has the nuance of “selfish desire.” Anyone who has raised a child knows this can exist at an early age. The Bible talks about “covetousness.” Look at Psalm 10:3 (KJV): For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth. Jesus linked “covetousness” with “thefts. . .wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness” (Mark 7:22).
  1. THE WALK OF THE NEW MAN, Ephesians 4:20-24. 
  1. “So, Learn Christ,” vs. 20. This verse suggests that the people reading this have not “learned Christ.” Many do not know much about Jesus Christ, other than he was crucified, buried, and rose on the third day. It does not go beyond that. It does not address the “deity” of Christ, and the ramifications attached to that doctrinal issue. It is one of the most essential doctrines in the Bible. If one does not “know Christ,” they will have difficulty understanding salvation. Many look at salvation as a type of life insurance from fire. No, Christianity is a new lifestyle and is to be a part of a believer until they either die or participate in the “Rapture” (1 Cor: 15:51-54; 1 Thess. 4:13-18). We overlook one of God’s essential goals for every believer who has trusted Christ for eternal life. It is stated in Romans 8:28-29 (KJV) 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. [Emphasis added.] What does that mean? In vs. 28, “work together” defines “synergy.” The phrase “all things” suggests that everything in your life is to work together to make you like Christ. It may be a difficulty in your life, or maybe a tragedy. It may be a blessing that God wanted you to experience. These things should be messages of how Christ would handle these things. If you do not know how Christ would do anything, it may be time to read the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John to learn how Jesus handled blessings and problems. This is the place for any believer to begin their walk with God.
  2. The Truth in Christ, vs. 21. This second admonition should be a goal in every believer. We should seek the truth about Jesus. The only source that is accurate and without error is the King James Bible. I believe all matters in the King James Bible are correct and error-free. The more we know Christ, the stronger we will become spiritually. To get a grasp of Christ, it might be helpful to read the “Sermon on the Mount” in Matthew 5-7. Reading the parables would give a glimpse of His teaching. Any material in the four Gospels should be read. There should be a contrast between a Christian and what is described in Ephesians 4:18-19. It has been suggested that the phrase, “But ye have not so learned Christ” (Eph. 4:20) is to say that the previous two verses (Eph. 4:18-29) are not the way a believer has learned Christ. There is a difference between how an unbeliever and a believer live based on what they know about Christ.
  3. The Corrupt Old Man, vs. 22. Here the Christian is admonished to “put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts” (vs. 22). There are some things to learn here. First, is the understanding of the word “conversation.” We usually understand this word to describe our verbal ability. As a general rule, the word “conversation” will be addressing one’s lifestyle how they conduct themselves. There are at least three times “conversation” is referring to one’s verbal ability (Psa. 37:14; 50:23; James 3:13). The rest of the times you encounter the word “conversation,” it is a reference to one’s lifestyle. One example is 1 Timothy 4:12 (KJV) Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. There is a contrast between “in word” and “in conversation” in this verse. It would be redundant to use both phrases if they mean the same thing, but they don’t. The phrase “in conversation” is clearly a reference to one’s lifestyle in verse 22. We are to “put off the former conversation.” This is an interesting way to describe our lifestyle, to compare it to a suit of clothing suggested by the phrase “put off.” The New Testament uses this analogy in other places. Every time the phrase “put off” occurs in the Old Testament, it is talking about clothing or shoes. Even Acts 7:33 it refers to removing shoes, the time Moses saw the “burning bush” (Exod. 3:5). There are four times the admonition to “put off” it is talking about one’s lifestyle (Eph. 4:22; Col. 3;8, 9; 2 Pet. 1:14). 
  4. The Transition to the New Man, vss. 23-24. 
  1. Ephesians 4:23. The remedy for living a life contrary to the spiritual life is in this verse, “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind.” Two areas will determine your spiritual growth: your heart and your mind. We can have a mind that is not pleasing to God. Paul described the lost in Romans and in one place he says, Romans 1:21 (KJV) Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Then he said in Romans 1:28 (KJV) And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient. Your mind is the battlefield between you being spiritual or carnal, godly or ungodly. You must “be renewed in the spirit of your mind.” John Phillips gives an excellent analysis of how this works. He says,

The Holy Spirit’s regenerating work brings Christ’s mind into the human personality. The Holy Spirit gives a new direction to the thought life of a Christian. His carnal mind wants him to continue in the old direction, but he must deliberately put it off. There are some books he is not to read, some shows he is not to watch, some conversations he is not to have, some stories he is not to tell. He puts off such evil, and he is renewed in the spirit of his mind.

  1. Ephesians 4:24. Here is the alternative for a saved person. He is to take action and “put off” the “old man” and “put on” the “new man.” This is repeated in Colossians 3:10 (KJV) And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him. Note the process stated here, “which is renewed in knowledge. . .” The New Testament has several things that are part of the “new man.” 
  1. Put on incorruption, 1 Corinthians 15:53 (KJV) For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
  2. Put on the whole armour of God, Ephesians 6:11 (KJV) Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
  3. Put on therefore. . ., Colossians 3:12 (KJV) Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering.     
  1. How are you dressed as a Christian? Have you changed your clothes? 
  1. III.THE WAY THE OLD MAN WALKS AND THE WAY THE NEW MAN WALKS CONTRASTED, Ephesians 4:25-30. This section of Ephesians is to illustrate how you “put on the new man.”
  1. SPEAKING FALSELY vs. SPEAKING THE TRUTH, vs. 25. Do you know how to correct lying (some say habitual lying)? You speak the truth to every man.
  2. STOPPING ANGER, vs. 26. Do you know how to correct anger? Note the addition “and sin not.” There is righteous anger. Jesus demonstrated it in Mark 3:5. When He was “grieved for the heardness of their hearts. God will demonstrate His “wrath.” 
  3. SAYING NO TO THE DEVIL, vs. 27. Put on the “whole armour of God” (Eph. 6:11-18).
  4. STEAL NO MORE, vs. 28. The remedy for stealing? Go to work, get a job. It says in 2 Thessalonians 3:10 (KJV) For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 
  5. SPEAK PROPERLY, vs. 29. Corrupt communication is prohibited. We have invented alternative words for profanity and make them okay. “Friggin.’” “crap.” Etc. When a boy my grandmother would not allow, “heck,” “shoot,” or “darn.”
  6. SEALED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, vs. 30. Since we are “sealed with the Holy Spirit” (Eph. 1:13; 4:30) we should not grieve him. When we live contrary to the Bible we will “grieve the Holy Spirit.”
  7. KINDNESS AND FORGIVENESS! Vss. 31-32. Here is a list of things we can do to demonstrate the “New Man” in our life. We need to PUT AWAY, “bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking” (vs. 31). Then we are “to be kind one to another, tenderheareted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (vs. 31).

LET’S COMMIT TO LIVE THE “NEW MAN” AND FORSAKE THE “OLD MAN.”

The “NEW MAN” would refer to Christ and the “OLD MAN” would refer to Adam. 

READ: ROMANS 5:12-21