December 21, 2020 CAC Living Water Devotional : Topic – PUT OFF THE OLD MAN
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LIVING WATER CAC DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Monday, December 21, 2020
PUT OFF THE OLD MAN
Read: Ephesians 4:17-22
Ephesians 4:17-22 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
But ye have not so learned Christ;
If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
MEMORISE:
That you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts (Ephesians 4:22)
EXPOSITION
For anyone who is in Christ Jesus, old things are passed away, and all things have become new (2 Cor. 5:17). For the old things to pass away, you need to make a conscious effort to do away with them. If our salvation is so precious to us, then we should lay aside all weights and sins that easily beset us, and run with patience, the race that is set before us. The old man that must be put off includes, the old ways of doing things that do not glorify the Lord. These include speeches, music, friends, or companies that will not draw you closer to God. He that was stealing should steal no more, but should learn to work with his hands. He that was fond of lying should stop, but speak the truth, no matter the consequence. He who enjoyed sexual immortality should avoid companies that would facilitate this old habit.
However, after you have “put off” the old man, inward renewal takes place and one is empowered from INSIDE to “put on” new garments/new attitudes (Eph. 4:23-25). He who used to be deceptive and fraudulent should cease to be and become transparent and plain.
The sign of a genuine change is the discarding and abandonment of old habits, if really one has surrendered one’s life to Christ. The Holy Spirit facilitates the transformation. He makes it easy for the old ways to become unattractive to the believer. He also helps the believer to have his heart circumcised and regularly washed in the Word and Blood of Jesus.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Lord, let Holy Ghost fire consume all old habits I am struggling with.
2. Specifically deal with that sinful habit you have been living with before now. Pray for the grace to overcome it totally and permanently, now.
3. Lord, let the message of rebirth reign in our churches and programmes.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Micah 5 – 7