Rev. Don Campbell
Ephesians 1-6
THOUGHT FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 16, 2019
“A CHANGE OF HABIT”
The word habit used to refer to clothing and still does in special cases, such as a nun’s habit or riding habit. We more commonly use it to mean a settled tendency or manner of behavior. If you will permit a play on words, many of us are in the habit of wearing a certain habit because it is so comfortable. My dad’s habit was bib overalls. Around the house, my habit is sweats in the winter and shorts in the summer.
In Ephesians 4:17-32, Paul tells us to put off our old habit and put on some new clothes: “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.”
In this case, the saying, “Clothes don’t make the man,” is not true. If we continue to wear the habit of the old man, we will find ourselves practicing the habits of the old man. We will live a life of spiritually aimlessness and ignorance (vv. 17-18; Jude 12-13; Romans 1:19-22). We will live a life is of stubborn rebellion against God (v. 18, “hardness of heart,” NIV). We will live a life of insensitivity to that which is good and holy (v. 19).
When we continue wearing the same old habit of human nature and walking in the same old rut of sin, our conversion is called into question. The new man created in righteousness and holiness is contrasted to the old man, which grows corrupt day by day. Truth versus falsehood (v. 25). Righteous anger versus sinful anger (vv. 26-27). Honest work versus theft v. (28). Helpful, wholesome speech versus unwholesome talk (vv. 29-30) Kindness, compassion, and forgiveness versus bitterness, rage, brawling, slander, and malice (vv. 31-32).
I suspect that if we have clothed ourselves with Christ, our new habit is going to be a little bit uncomfortable as we struggle to live a life or righteous and true holiness—it was for Paul (Romans 7:18-25).
CONNECTION
1. Many believers follow the styles of the day, putting fashion above decency. What does your habit (cloths) say about you?
2. How can believers appear handsome or beautiful, regardless of age, size, hairstyle, dress, etc.?
