It Starts Small

²⁰ But that is not how you came to know Christ, ²¹ assuming you heard about him and were taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus, ²² to take off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires, ²³ to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, ²⁴ and to put on the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth.

Ephesians 4:20-24

But

Once again, we encounter a profoundly vital, “but.” This existence is not the life Christians are meant to lead. The path of Christ offers us a radical alternative, brimming with hope! We are not bound to remain trapped in the despair outlined in verses 18-19. Christ extends to us an exhilarating new way of life, one filled with purpose and freedom!

Lay aside

Before we embraced Christ, we were lost. We lacked the Holy Spirit within us to guide us through the darkness of sin. But now, He empowers us to shatter the chains of addiction that once bound us. You may have struggled to conquer sin on your own and faced failure each time. Don’t walk this path alone—turn to Christ, your ultimate source of help! Victory is not just a dream; it’s a divine promise. God assures us that there is always a way of escape, a light in our darkest moments.

¹³ No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it.

1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is unwaveringly faithful, and He will never allow you to be tempted beyond your strength. With each temptation, He passionately provides a way of escape, empowering you to endure it. When we completely surrender to Him, we can triumph over sin! He offers us the incredible gift of choice. Through God’s might, we can transform our habits. We have the power to boldly say “no” to sin. We can embrace lives of true transformation. But remember, it is a choice we must actively make; it doesn’t just magically occur.

We must fervently choose to cast off our old selves, as if shedding a worn, tattered garment. In the last passage, I illustrated the profound transformation of a beggar who was embraced as a prince. This prince now possesses the exhilarating power to abandon his beggar’s rags and don the regal attire of royalty. Yet, he stands at a crossroads each day, deciding who he wishes to become. When he was a beggar, he was bound and trapped. His existence was devoid of choice. He was unable to summon the will to be anything other than what the flesh dictated.

Self Reflection: What is that one thing in your life that you must courageously eliminate? Do you have a long-standing habit that has anchored you down? Is the Holy Spirit whispering in your ear, telling you it’s time to break free and transform your existence? Challenge yourself to ignite the fire within and embrace the change you truly need!

to be renewed in the spirit of your minds

We can ignite a profound transformation in our lives through powerful spiritual disciplines. These include prayer, fervent Bible reading, uplifting worship, dedicated fasting, and deep fellowship. Each of these practices fuels our focus on God. They empower us to cast aside our sinful thoughts. They help us resist the relentless temptations that seek to ensnare us.

² Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Romans 12:2

Central Texas in the summer envelops you in a stifling embrace of heat and humidity. After a single day spent under the blazing sun, you find yourself drenched in sweat, the air thick around you. Each night, as you prepare for rest, you feel an irresistible urge. You want to step into the rejuvenating cascade of a shower. It washes away the layers of grime, the uncomfortable stickiness, and the lingering scent of the day. In that moment, you emerge revitalized and invigorated… only to face the relentless cycle once more with the dawn. This ritual becomes not just a necessity, but a transcendent experience, inviting you to rise anew every day.

We fervently pursue truth by immersing ourselves in God’s Word. This immersion continually refreshes and transforms our minds. The world around us is teeming with temptation and adverse influences that seek to weigh us down. Without that intentional and regular renewal, the shadows of this world will cling to us, growing denser and more suffocating.

Put on the new self

Most biblical commands come alive with both a negative and a positive call to action. This truth resonates here as well. The prince will not merely discard his beggar clothes; he will embrace his true identity by donning noble garments. As believers, we are not just shedding the old; we are eagerly replacing it with the glorious new self. If we neglect this transformation, the old ways will inevitably creep back in. It requires an ardent, conscious effort to resist the pull of wrongdoing. Yet, this does not grant us the luxury of idleness—on the contrary, we are compelled to actively pursue righteousness. Our new identity springs forth from God, and it is His immeasurable grace that empowers us to live rightly. Without a genuine relationship with God, all our efforts will ultimately fall short, leaving us adrift.

---

Cross References

• Titus 2:11-12
• Romans 12:2
• Psalms 51:10
• Titus 3:5
• 2 Corinthians 5:17

Reflective Questions

• How can we lay aside the old self?
• Do we have two personalities, two beings?
• Explain the friction or battle between the old and new self.
• How can we have victory in this area? How can we ensure that the new self wins the battle regularly?
• What does it mean to be renewed in the spirit of your mind?
• How can we do this?
• How can we put on the new self?
• What “old self” habits do you struggle with since you became a believer?
• Do you notice a changed life?
• What practical ways can you wage war against those old self habits?
• Where does our new self come from?

---

© Kimberlee Smith 2026 http://www.itstartssmall.com All rights reserved.