New Clothes

Take off your old self…and put on the new self. Ephesians 4:22-24

We all change clothes every day. It’s part of our routine. We change out of our night clothes and into our work clothes. When we get home, we change into our ‘everyday, around the house’ clothes. Some days, we change clothes multiple times. 

Take a mental inventory of your clothing. Consider the items you wear frequently. They bring you comfort. You like the color, the texture of the fabric, or how it feels on your body, or how it fits. It flatters you. Maybe you are wearing it right now. 

No doubt, you also have clothing items that you don't enjoy wearing. Perhaps it's a piece that's too tight and restricting, or the fabric is rough, coarse, or harsh, or the article doesn't look good on you. The color may not be best for your skin tone. 

Can you remember the last piece of clothing you bought new? Were you excited to update your wardrobe? You may have shopped for a long time before finding what you were looking for. It could be for a special occasion. Poll: When you buy a new article of clothing, do you have to wear it immediately (like my wife), or are you the type to wait until the best time? 

Today’s key verse tells us to take off the ‘old self’ and put on the ‘new self’. Paul uses a powerful image here that is similar to changing clothes, but it goes deeper than fashion. It’s about identity. It’s about the change that takes place and who we become when we accept and follow Christ. It’s more than surface level and an outer appearance. We must embody the new self. Imagine walking around in stained, torn clothes that were too small or too large. It wouldn’t feel right. You wouldn’t want to be seen in them. Yet, spiritually, that’s what we often do.

Read Colossians 3:5-17. When we accept Christ, we must put away, for good, our old, earthly nature. Here is a list of patterns, habits, and attitudes that belonged to our ‘old self’ before Christ that we must ‘take off’: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, greed, idolatry, anger, wrath, malice, slander, filthy language, lying, and disobedience. This change does not happen overnight or like a lightswitch that flips on. This transformation is an ongoing process to become more like Jesus. It is intentional and takes initiative on our part. 

I love where Paul says, ‘as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved’ in verse 5. We are chosen, loved, and even holy because of what Christ did for us! Would you usually use those words to describe yourself? Let’s claim it and live it today! 

As believers, we are to set our minds on things above. The ‘new self’ is created to be like God in ‘true righteousness and holiness’ from verse 24. It's not just a better version of the old you; it's a brand-new you. Here is a list of things to ‘put on’ as a believer: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, love, thankfulness, and unity. This, of course, is not an exhaustive list.

Putting on the ‘new self’ is not about pretending to be someone you’re not; it’s about dressing in the identity Christ gave you when you were made new. Just like you wouldn’t wear yesterday’s sweaty clothes to a wedding, we’re not meant to wear yesterday’s sins into today’s calling.

We want to be in such a place in our faith walk that we joyfully live it out. It should be as natural and comfortable as wearing our favorite outfit. But sometimes, we need to get out of our comfort zone and stretch ourselves like wearing clothes that may be uncomfortable, tight, or itchy. 

This transformation that takes place upon inviting Christ into our lives is not just inward, but a visible expression of God’s nature lived out. We must be careful not to reach back for our ‘old clothes’ when life gets hard or when we face temptations. Continue to wear the righteousness and love that reflect who you are becoming in Christ. 

Call to Action

Before you face the world each day, check your heart. Which of the old, earthly nature characteristics listed above are you still ‘wearing’? What needs to come off today? 

Just like we dress every morning, putting on the new self is a daily, intentional practice. What are some actions you can take to do this? Which one(s) of the new, eternal virtues listed above do you need to practice ‘putting on’?

Digging Deeper

Read these verses: Isaiah 43:18-19, Ezekiel 36:26, Romans 12:1-2, Corinthians 5:17, Philippians 1:7, Hebrews 8:6-13, Titus 3:5.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for transforming me into more of Your likeness and giving me a new identity in You. Help me take off everything that no longer fits who I am in Christ. Teach me to dress each day in Your truth and righteousness. May the world see You in me, not just on what I wear on the outside, but from the inside out. Amen.

Copyright © 2025 Kyle Cravens