That ye put off concerning the former conversation [conduct] the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness – Ephesians 4:22-24.

Apostle Paul appeals to the Ephesians and today’s Christians to walk as our profession as Christians. We are called to God’s kingdom and glory; we must walk as becoming their heirs.

We are admonished to Christian purity and holiness of heart and life from the Old Testament to the New Testament. Sanctification consists of two things: (1) The old man must be put off. The corrupt nature is called a man, as old Adam from whom we derived it. Sin in the soul is the corruption of its faculties: where it is not mortified, it worsens. (2) The new man must be put on; it’s not enough to shake off corrupt principals, but we must act with gracious ones.

True holiness, in opposition to the ceremonial holiness of the Jews, is to be Christlike. We must put on the new man when endeavoring after His divine nature. Suppose we’re still living according to the old man’s nature. In that case, we have not become a new creation (Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature [creation], old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new – 2nd Corinthians 5:17). Salvation has to be accepted from the heart with belief, if not the person will continue to live in their old lifestyle of practicing sin.

Christians are spoken of as the day, whereas sinners are spoken of as darkness (But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation – 1st Thessalonians 5:8). To be sober is to be alert, prayerful, watchful and abstaining from anything to appear to be sinful. In contrast to what nonbelievers do, Christians should be sober, living a disciplined life, not only free from drunkenness but alert to spiritual realities. Believers should put on the breastplate of faith, consisting of faith, hope, and love. As Christians, we must put off hatred, discrimination, gossip, fault-finding, lying, cheating, envy, jealousy, and all the actions nonbelievers commit.

Christians should be longsuffering, showing mercy, kindness, and humbleness in mind, heart, and spirit. What’s in the heart will filtrate to the mind and heart (Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering. Forbearing one another and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you so also do ye – Colossians 3:12-13). God is love, and He gives us a portion of His love to love Him and others when we become Christians. This is another reason we must be filled with the Holy Spirit; without Him, we will be partial and continue in our sinful actions.

We hold on to unforgiveness and offenses, and we think we’re right. This is disobedience when He has instructed us to forgive (And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses—Mark 11:25). He’s not going to forgive us when we’re refusing to forgive others. If death knocks on our door while we’re holding on to unforgiveness in hell, will we lift our eyes. We can’t pick and choose which Scriptures we will live by; we must obey the instructions He has given us.

As Christians, we must put off allowing our thoughts to dictate us; thoughts can be detrimental to our spiritual well-being as well as our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Thoughts that cause hurt, pain, anger, sadness, depression, and vengeance do not come from God. Satan always tries to bombard our minds with thoughts that aren’t pleasing to God.

Thoughts that come to influence us to do actions that are against the Word of God must be counteracted by the Word of God (Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things – Philippians 4:8). Good thoughts produce good health both naturally and spiritually.

Reading and studying God’s Word is essential for spiritual growth and understanding what is expected of a Christian. We can’t live our lives by looking at someone professing to be a Christian; we must read the Bible to learn what a Christian is and adhere to its instructions. God is holding every Christian responsible for knowing and applying His instructions.