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Read: Ephesians 4:20-32
Listen: Ephesians 4

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self…and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22a, 24

Paul uses clothing imagery to represent the believers’ new life. They’ve outgrown old clothes that don’t fit their new identity. He calls the Ephesians to shed sinful patterns of lying, anger, theft and unwholesome talk. In turn, they are to put on positive actions that reflect their new life—truth-telling, forgiveness, generosity and words that build others up. These behaviors reflect Jesus and what he has done for them, yet they don’t happen automatically. The believers need to unlearn their old way of living. This requires effort to take off the old and get dressed in the new.

We too need to learn a new way of life. As we follow Jesus, he will help us grow into our new identity and build new habits through the power of the Holy Spirit. But it will require effort on our part and a willingness to learn and ask for help. The people we surround ourselves with matter. Through small groups and Christian friendships, we observe different speech patterns and learn to speak truth. What we put in our minds and who we spend time with affects our actions. We learn to grow in speaking the truth by taking in the truth.

TODAY: Evaluate the content you take in regularly—books, podcasts, social media or friends. Consider whether those sources point you toward your new life or encourage your old life. Commit to taking in God’s Word daily, letting it be the loudest voice. Learn more about telling the truth on the Beyond the Weekend Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts or on YouTube HERE.