[Note: This is Part 8 of a 10-part series on Ephesians: Living Out Our Identity in Christ.]

Have you ever cleaned out a closet and found clothes you forgot you owned? Old shirts that don’t fit anymore. Worn-out shoes you should have thrown away years ago. Styles you wouldn’t be caught dead wearing today. The old wardrobe takes up space, collects dust, and serves no purpose. It’s time to throw it out and make room for something new.

That’s Paul’s metaphor in this section. You have a new identity in Christ. You’re a new creation. The old self—the person you were before Christ—is gone. But sometimes we keep wearing the old clothes. We slip back into old patterns, old habits, old ways of thinking and acting. Paul says: Stop it. Take off the old. Put on the new. Live like who you actually are.

In the previous post, we saw Paul call believers to walk worthy of their calling, pursuing unity and maturity in the body. Now he gets intensely practical. He contrasts the old way of life with the new way, showing us exactly what it means to live out our identity in Christ. This isn’t abstract theology. This is how you talk, how you handle anger, how you work, how you relate to others. The gospel transforms everything.

Don’t Walk Like the Gentiles (4:17-19)

Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. (Eph. 4:17-19)

You Must No Longer Walk as the Gentiles Do

Paul begins with authority: “Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do.” Notice the shift in language. Back in chapter 2, Paul addressed “you Gentiles in the flesh” (2:11), referring to their ethnic background. Now he says “don’t walk as the Gentiles do,” distinguishing his audience from the Gentiles. Why? Because believers are no longer “Gentiles” in the spiritual sense. They’re part of the “one new man” in Christ (2:15). Their identity has changed, so their behavior must change too.

This is crucial for understanding our identity. We are no longer defined by our old categories—Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female in terms of spiritual standing (Gal. 3:28). We’re defined by Christ. When Paul tells them not to walk “as the Gentiles do,” he’s saying: Don’t live like people who don’t know God. You’re different now. Act like it.

The Futility of Their Minds

How do the Gentiles walk? “In the futility of their minds.” The word “futility” means emptiness, purposelessness, vanity. The mind that doesn’t know God is empty at its core. It processes information, but it can’t arrive at ultimate truth or meaning. It’s like a computer running sophisticated programs but operating on corrupt data—it produces impressive outputs that are fundamentally worthless.

This isn’t about intelligence. Plenty of unbelievers are brilliant. Paul is talking about the ability to grasp spiritual truth, to understand God’s purposes, to see reality clearly. Apart from Christ, the mind is futile.

Darkened in Understanding

“They are darkened in their understanding.” Darkness is the absence of light. Without Christ, who is the light of the world (John 8:12), understanding is shrouded in darkness. People can’t see clearly. They confuse good and evil, wisdom and foolishness, truth and lies.

This darkness isn’t just intellectual. It’s moral and spiritual. The unbeliever’s understanding is warped, twisted, unable to perceive what is most important.

Alienated from the Life of God

“Alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.” Alienated means estranged, separated, cut off. Unbelievers are cut off from “the life of God”—the spiritual life that comes from knowing Him, the abundant life Jesus promised (John 10:10).

Why are they alienated? “Because of the ignorance that is in them.” This isn’t innocent lack of knowledge. It’s willful ignorance, a refusal to acknowledge what can be known about God (Rom. 1:18-21). And the root cause? “Hardness of heart.” The Greek word suggests a thick skin, a callused insensitivity. The heart has become impervious to spiritual truth.

Callous and Given Over to Sensuality

“They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.” When the heart is hard, people stop feeling the conviction they should feel. They become callous—numb to shame, insensitive to guilt. And once the conscience is seared, they give themselves over to sin without restraint.

“Sensuality” refers to licentiousness, unrestrained indulgence in fleshly desires. “Greedy to practice every kind of impurity” suggests an insatiable appetite for sin. It’s not enough to sin occasionally. They pursue it, crave it, never satisfied.

This is the trajectory of life apart from Christ: futile thinking leads to darkened understanding, which leads to hard hearts, which leads to callousness, which leads to unbridled sin. Each step makes the next step easier. The descent accelerates.

You Did Not Learn Christ This Way (4:20-24)

But that is not the way you learned Christ!—assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. (Eph. 4:20-24)

You Learned Christ Differently

“But that is not the way you learned Christ!” Paul’s emphatic. The Christian life is not about managing sin or improving the old self. It’s about learning Christ—not just learning about Him, but learning Him personally, experientially, transformatively.

“Assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus.” Paul assumes they’ve been properly instructed. They’ve heard the gospel. They’ve been taught “in him”—not just taught information about Jesus, but taught in union with Him. And this teaching is “as the truth is in Jesus”—the real truth, not a distortion or counterfeit.

Put Off the Old Self

What were they taught? Three things, all connected:

First: “to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires.”

“Put off” is like taking off dirty clothes. The “old self” is who you were before Christ—your old identity, your old nature, your old way of life. Paul says it “belongs to your former manner of life.” It’s in the past. It doesn’t define you anymore.

Why put it off? Because it “is corrupt through deceitful desires.” The old self is not neutral. It’s not reformable. It’s corrupt—decaying, rotting, falling apart. And the desires that drive it are deceitful. They promise satisfaction but deliver death. They look appealing but are poisonous.

You can’t improve the old self. You can’t baptize it or redeem it. You put it off like filthy rags.

Be Renewed in Your Mind

Second: “and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds.” This is the hinge between putting off and putting on. You can’t just stop old behaviors. You have to change how you think.

“Be renewed” is present tense, ongoing action. Keep being renewed. Keep letting God transform your thinking. The “spirit of your minds” refers to the core of your thinking—your attitudes, perspectives, assumptions, worldview.

Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” This is how transformation happens. When your mind is renewed by God’s Word and Spirit, your behavior follows.

Put On the New Self

Third: “and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”

“Put on” is like putting on fresh, clean clothes. The “new self” is who you are in Christ—your new identity, your new nature, your new way of life.

This new self is “created after the likeness of God.” When God created humanity in Genesis, He made us in His image. Sin defaced that image. But in Christ, God is restoring His image in us. The new self reflects God’s character.

And this new self is characterized by “true righteousness and holiness.” Not the fake righteousness of self-effort or legalism. True righteousness—right standing before God and right living that flows from that standing. Holiness—being set apart for God, reflecting His purity and goodness.

Notice: the new self is “created.” You didn’t manufacture it. God created it. Your job is to put it on—to live in accordance with who God has made you to be.

Practical Applications: The New Life (4:25-5:21)

Paul now gives specific examples of what putting off the old and putting on the new looks like in daily life. He addresses speech, anger, work, relationships, and more. These aren’t random commands. They flow from the gospel reality that we’re new creations.

Speak Truth (4:25)

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. (Eph. 4:25)

Put off: Falsehood—lies, deception, half-truths, misleading statements.
Put on: Truth—honest, accurate, straightforward communication.

Why? “For we are members one of another.” We’re part of the same body. When you lie to a fellow believer, you’re lying to part of yourself. The body can’t function if the parts aren’t communicating accurately.

Truth-telling isn’t optional. It’s essential to healthy relationships and a healthy church.

Handle Anger Properly (4:26-27)

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. (Eph. 4:26-27)

Anger itself isn’t always sinful. Jesus got angry (Mark 3:5). There’s such a thing as righteous indignation at injustice and evil. But anger easily becomes sinful.

The commands:

1. “Be angry and do not sin.” If you’re angry, don’t let it lead you into sinful words or actions.
2. “Do not let the sun go down on your anger.” Deal with it quickly. Don’t let it fester overnight. Unresolved anger turns into bitterness.
3. “Give no opportunity to the devil.” Lingering anger is an open door for Satan to work destruction in your heart and relationships.

The new self handles anger redemptively, not destructively.

Work Honestly (4:28)

Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. (Eph. 4:28)

Put off: Stealing—taking what isn’t yours, whether through outright theft or dishonest business practices.
Put on: Honest work—earning your living legitimately, using your hands productively.

But Paul goes further. Work isn’t just so you can support yourself. Work so “you may have something to share with anyone in need.” The new self works to give, not just to get.

This is a radical transformation. The thief took from others to benefit himself. The new self works to benefit others.

Guard Your Speech (4:29)

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. (Eph. 4:29)

Put off: Corrupting talk—rotten, worthless, destructive speech. This includes gossip, slander, crude jokes, harsh criticism, and any words that tear down.
Put on: Edifying speech—words that build up, encourage, strengthen, and give grace.

The test: Does what I’m about to say fit the occasion? Will it give grace to the hearer? If not, don’t say it.

Your words matter. They can build up or tear down. The new self chooses to speak life.

Don’t Grieve the Holy Spirit (4:30)

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Eph. 4:30)

This verse stands between the specific sins Paul addresses. Why? Because the Holy Spirit lives in you. When you sin, you grieve Him—you cause Him sorrow, you resist His work, you contradict His character.

Remember: you “were sealed” by the Spirit. The seal guarantees your salvation. But don’t mistake security for license. The Spirit who seals you also sanctifies you. Don’t grieve the One who dwells in you.

Put Away Sinful Attitudes (4:31)

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. (Eph. 4:31)

Paul lists six things to “put away”—to remove completely from your life:

1. Bitterness — Deep-seated resentment, a grudge that won’t let go
2. Wrath — Explosive outbursts of rage
3. Anger — Settled hostility, ongoing anger that simmers beneath the surface
4. Clamor — Loud quarreling, shouting matches
5. Slander — Verbally attacking someone’s character, spreading malicious gossip
6. Malice — Intent to harm, wishing ill on others

These destroy relationships and poison communities. They have no place in the new self.

Be Kind and Forgiving (4:32)

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Eph. 4:32)

Put on: Three characteristics that should mark believers:

1. Kind — Gracious, considerate, gentle
2. Tenderhearted — Compassionate, moved by others’ pain
3. Forgiving — Releasing others from the debt they owe you, not holding their sins against them

The motivation? “As God in Christ forgave you.” You’ve been forgiven an infinite debt. How can you withhold forgiveness from others who owe you far less? Gospel-saturated people forgive freely because they’ve been forgiven freely.

Imitate God (5:1-2)

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Eph. 5:1-2)

“Therefore”—because God has forgiven you—”be imitators of God.” Children naturally imitate their parents. You’re God’s child. Imitate your Father.

How? “Walk in love, as Christ loved us.” Christ loved sacrificially. He “gave himself up for us”—a total, costly, self-giving love. That’s the pattern. That’s what love looks like.

This sets the standard for the Christian life. We’re not just avoiding sin. We’re actively loving like Christ loved.

Flee Sexual Immorality (5:3-7)

But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them. (Eph. 5:3-7)

Paul gets more specific about sexual sin:

Put off:

• Sexual immorality — Any sexual activity outside marriage between one man and one woman
• Impurity — Moral uncleanness of any kind
• Covetousness — Greed, especially sexual greed (desiring what you shouldn’t have)

These shouldn’t even be “named among you”—meaning they should be so absent from your life that people don’t associate you with them.

Also put off: “filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking.” This refers to sexually suggestive humor, dirty jokes, obscene language. Such talk is “out of place” for believers.

Put on: Thanksgiving. Instead of crude talk, give thanks. Gratitude to God crowds out impure speech.

The warning: Those who persist in these sins without repentance “have no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.” Paul isn’t saying believers lose their salvation when they sin. He’s saying those characterized by unrepentant sexual sin show no evidence of being saved at all.

Don’t be deceived by “empty words”—those who say such sins don’t matter. God’s wrath comes on “the sons of disobedience.” Don’t partner with them in their sin.

Walk as Children of Light (5:8-14)

for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” (Eph. 5:8-14)

Identity change: “At one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.” Not just in darkness—you were darkness. Now you are light. Your entire nature has changed.

The command: “Walk as children of light.” Live consistently with who you are. Light produces good, right, and true things. Darkness produces worthless works.

Discern and expose: “Try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.” Develop spiritual discernment. Learn to distinguish good from evil. And “take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” Don’t participate in sin. Instead, bring light that exposes it for what it is.

Light doesn’t cooperate with darkness. It dispels it.

Walk Carefully (5:15-17)

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (Eph. 5:15-17)

Walk carefully: Pay attention to how you’re living. Be intentional. “Not as unwise but as wise”—wisdom makes choices that honor God and lead to blessing.

Redeem the time: “Making the best use of the time” literally means “buying up the opportunity.” Time is limited. The days are evil—hostile to godliness, full of temptation. Don’t waste your life. Use your time wisely.

Understand God’s will: “Do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Foolishness ignores God’s will. Wisdom pursues it. How do you know God’s will? Through His Word, His Spirit, wise counsel, and prayer.

Be Filled with the Spirit (5:18-21)

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. (Eph. 5:18-21)

The contrast: “Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.”

Drunkenness is control by alcohol—surrendering yourself to a substance that alters your mind and impairs your judgment. It leads to “debauchery”—reckless, wild living.

The alternative isn’t sobriety alone. It’s being filled with the Spirit. Just as alcohol controls a drunk person, the Spirit should control the believer. Surrender to His influence. Let Him direct your thoughts, words, and actions.

The evidence: How do you know someone is Spirit-filled? Paul gives four signs:

1. Speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs — Spirit-filled believers encourage each other with biblical truth and gospel-centered songs.

2. Singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart — Worship flows from a Spirit-filled heart. Not just going through motions, but heartfelt praise.

3. Giving thanks always and for everything — A Spirit-filled person has a grateful heart, even in difficult circumstances. They trust God’s sovereignty and goodness.

4. Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ — Mutual submission flows from being Spirit-filled. Pride demands its way. The Spirit produces humility and servant-heartedness.

This last point sets up the next section (5:22-6:9), where Paul will address submission in specific relationships.

Application Points

Recognize the radical change that has happened

You are not who you used to be. The old self is gone. The new self has been created in God’s likeness. Stop identifying with your past. Stop saying, “That’s just who I am.” No, that’s who you were. In Christ, you’re someone new. Live like it.

Renew your mind daily

Transformation doesn’t happen by trying harder to be good. It happens by changing how you think. Fill your mind with God’s Word. Meditate on truth. Let the Spirit reshape your thought patterns. When your mind is renewed, your behavior will follow.

Get specific about putting off and putting on

Don’t just resolve to “be better.” Identify specific sins to put off and specific virtues to put on. If you struggle with lying, practice truth-telling. If you struggle with anger, develop patience. If you struggle with selfish speech, cultivate encouraging words. Be concrete.

Let the gospel fuel your transformation

You’re not changing to earn God’s acceptance. You’re changing because you already have it. God forgave you in Christ. Now forgive others. Christ loved you sacrificially. Now love others sacrificially. Let the gospel motivate and empower your obedience.

Be filled with the Spirit continually

This isn’t a one-time experience. It’s an ongoing surrender. Every day, yield control to the Holy Spirit. Ask Him to fill you, guide you, empower you. The Christian life is not self-improvement. It’s Spirit-empowerment. You can’t live the new life in your own strength. You need His power.

Reflection

• What specific “old self” patterns are you still wearing—habits, attitudes, ways of speaking that don’t match your new identity in Christ?
• How are you renewing your mind through God’s Word, or are you letting the world shape how you think?
• In your speech, anger, work, and relationships, are you putting off the old and putting on the new?
• What does it mean for you to be filled with the Spirit today—to surrender control and let Him lead?

In the next post, we’ll see how the gospel transforms our closest relationships—marriage, family, and work. When the gospel comes home, everything changes.