Date: June 1st, 2003
Title: Profile of the New Self
Text: Eph. 4:17-32
Subject:
Complement:
Main Idea:
Intro: In recent years profiling has become quite common. FBI profilers determine who the likely suspect is in a murder investigation. Racial profiling happens even though it is not supposed to.
Perhaps some of you have taken a personality profile or psychological profile test in the past--possibly for a job, or to qualify for some position. Some of you need to take some more ((see me for a list afterwards; just kidding). I’ve taken a few of these. For example, to apply for one seminary application I had to take the M.M.P.I. Since one cannot cheat on that test, it was given as a take-home. Let me share with you some of the questions which were from the True-False section.
"I’ve always wanted to join a posse"
"Often I feel like everyone is out to get me"
"I love to be stuck with large safety pins"
"My favorite activity is killing cats"
Now from these and other questions (most are not as absurd) the inventory, will come up with a psychological profile of a person’s attitudes and interests. And believe it or not, they’re usually fairly accurate. Hard to stump the computer grading. The resulting profile will then be printed out and list your:
• Strong points
• Weak points
• Personality traits
• Strong interests
• Behavioral patterns
And some tests even clarify what vocations you’d be best in.
But what about the Word of God? What does it say about the profile we are to have? The profile of the new self in Christ in Ephesians 4:17-32 has not been derived by taking fallible standardized psychological preference tests. Rather, it has been inspired from the infallible mind of God, the Creator of all people. What we have before us in these verses is a practical profile of the Christians attitudes and duties.
You may be surprised, as I often am, that many people can’t tell you a good definition of what a Christian is, nor tell you what a Christian is like. Usually because of fuzzy thinking and lack of norms/standards for Christian activity of discernment, people will say, "I can’t tell the difference between a Christian and a non-Christian. What are the unique characteristics that should cause a Christian to be recognizable?
We will examine these verses in two main portions.
I. The Profile Of One Who Is Far From God Is Obvious. (17-19)
A. The first obvious sign of not knowing God is the way a person thinks. (17)
1. Paul says that we are to no longer live as the gentiles do.
a) The phrase that is translated as gentiles is sometimes translated as the “heathen nations” and refers to that group of un-evangelized non-believers.
b) What Paul implies is that there definitely is a radical difference between the lives of Christians and non-Christians; Redeemed and non-redeemed.
2. The life of an unbeliever is then summed up in vss. 18-19.
a) This is the kind of lifestyle that we are not to live.
b) It is one characterized by futility in pursuits of false promises of happiness and fulfillment.
c) It is empty and void, ensnared in false pursuits and dead ends.
3. This life of the unbeliever is where we live!
a) That is the world that we find ourselves in every day.
b) People with hardened hearts who live for one thing and one thing only, not God, but rather, SELF.
4. Everything listed here in these two verses points to the human heart that seeks after fulfillment and pleasure for self.
a) A world where people are God!
b) We make our own rules and serve ourselves and our selfish desires.
5. This does not say that unbelievers do not have brains, but that their ability to understand is darkened or tarnished with futility.
6. Their understanding about God, other humans, moral duty and eternal life is haunted by shadows in the life of unbelief.
7. All of us--at a time (BC) before our conversion-- were separated and alienated from this spiritual life (2:12).
B. This ignorance is due to the hardening of their hearts. (18)
1. The main cause of this essential heathen behavior is ignorance toward the things of God which is an inborn effect of original sin.
a) All people are born ignorant of God’s ways.
b) This is ultimately caused by the hardening of our hearts.
c) Ez. 11:19 describes this as a "heart of stone" that is in the Old Self.
d) Our hearts are petrified.
2. Rom. 1:18-32 is the best commentary of the process.
(READ)
3. The resulting moral failure is seen in lost sensitivity, unbridled sensuality, and an insatiable hunger for more pleasure.
4. Having lost all sensitivity.
a) The Greek word used here originally referred to stone that was harder than marble.
b) People can become callous to things that should cause them to come up short.
c) Such people no longer “feel” any conviction or shame.
d) Their conscience is seared over and nothing gets through.
5. Giving over to unbridled sensuality.
a) This word means the pursuit of every pleasure, with no capacity for restraint or discipline.
b) This hedonist no longer cares how much he sins as long as he can gratify his desires and he is lost
6. The continual lust for more.
a) This word referred to the "love of possessing," the greedy and unlawful desire for the things which belonged to others.
b) It is the irresistible desire to have or to get--the continual lust for more.
c) Can any of us stand uncondemned by God’s law at this point?
Trans: So we begin today by examining what makes a person “tick” who is blind to the light of Christ. Like the old Fruit loops icon, Toucan Sam – who told us to follow our nose! These people follow their appetite for whatever they believe will bring them pleasure with little sense of restraint or consideration of the consequences of such a life.
II. The Profile Of One Who Is Near To God Is Just As Obvious. (20-24)
A. A Christ follower is one who welcomes a new way of viewing life. (20-21)
1. The contrast is clear and obvious here where our text says, “You, however”
a) In other words, those near to God do not harden their hearts and close the door to God.
b) Instead they open themselves up and receive Him.
c) Our understanding, our eyes are open as Ephesians 1:18-19 says.
2. The stark contrast is found in the fact that of these two profiles, both have the opportunity to see the light.
a) Just one person closes him or herself off from the truth.
b) The other person receives it and welcomes it into their life.
3. That is the contrast here.
B. A Christ follower knows how to say “no” to deceitful desires. (22-24)
1. He speaks in verse 23 of what we were taught in regard to our "B.C. lifestyle." He sums this up with three infinitives--to put off (22), to be made new (23) and to put on (24).
a) Two of these-- to put off (22) and to put on (24)-- have the force of a Greek tense (aorist) of being a once-for-all, non-repeatable act. (Not something we do over and over again.
b) The middle infinitive, (to be made new in the attitude of your minds) is in the tense that refers to a continuing duty (v. 23).
2. First, a person must put off the old self.
a) The "self" refers to the whole sin-laden personality.
b) We are urged to disrobe our old personality once and for all.
c) This happens when anyone becomes a Christian.
d) When this mighty transaction happens we can and do shuck ourselves of the old way of living before we came to know Jesus and have a relationship with Him.
3. Second, at the same time, once and for all also--we are to replace this Old Self by putting on the New Self (v. 24).
a) By an act of our will, as God’s grace has previously enabled, we are to put on a new wardrobe, the garments of Christ-likeness.
b) As Christians, we are to be distinguished from non-Christians by our apparel--not earthly clothes, but by our spiritual outfits.
c) We are to be the exact opposite of the Old Self.
d) We are, as those who are in relationship with Christ, to put on the new Self once and for all.
4. This unrepeatable act by God’s grace is to make us to be re-created to be like God (as v. 24 says).
a) We are to put on consciously the new set of clothes, just as we consciously dress in front of a mirror.
b) Similarly, we are to deliberately and with great care clothe ourselves with Christ.
5. The third infinitive-- in verse 23 "to be made new in the attitude of our minds"-- tells us not of a finished action, but of a present and continuing activity.
a) We are to daily have our minds renewed.
b) This is the process of sanctification. And we are assured here (by the passive voice) that this is the work which God does in and for us.
6. Christians think differently! And that effects every outlook, every parcel of life and yields a distinctly Christian view of life and the world.
a) From child-rearing to politics, from ethics to education, the Christian has a different mind.
b) Our minds are recast after a new pattern--the pattern of the mind of Christ, not the mind of our sinful nature.
ILL. What has always amazed me is that this renewed mind is focused only on giving glory to God and serving Him. This plays itself out in everything that is good in life. Biblical living, Godly living is all about honesty, respect, kindness, love, joy, peace, patience, self-control….against such things there is no law. The Christian mindset is only about good things. So why the hatred of Christians and the Bible? Because of verses 17-19!
7. This thought process is on-going and we are to be active in the process day-by-day.
a) I like what the Bible says about this over in 2 Cor. 10:5.
2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)
5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
b) We are to be continually taking our thoughts and holding them captive until such time as they have proved themselves on God’s side!
Trans: So we see a compare and contrast picture here. Those who follow their nose, their appetites, their desires and wants with abandon and no sense of responsibility for the consequences. They have darkened thoughts that are allowed, like young disobedient children, to go where ever they want and do whatever they want with no supervision. And, in contrast to that we see that those who know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, they take captive their thoughts and make them submit to the will of God and His Word.
It is all about allowing God to be in control instead of us! Letting God show us how to manage our emotions, our thinking, our life instead of just following our nose!
Fortunately, the Bible also tells us what this different way of thinking should look like in every day living.
III. The Practical Lifestyle Of A Christ Follower. (25-32)
A. People can tell we are Christ-Followers by our control over our words. (25 & 29)
1. Our words as Christians are to reflect truth and love! (4:15)
2. We are to "put off" falsehood and speak truthfully to our neighbor.
a) This fulfills "no false witness" in the Ten Commandments- #9.
b) No half truths.
c) No withholding important information so as to communicate a certain false impression without actually lying.
ILL. Some Christians are masters at this. They don’t actually lie, they just conveniently forget to tell the entire story or give all the important facts so that they mislead people into coming to a conclusion that is not true and they know they are doing so.
3. The New Self is to be trustworthy and reliable, not characterized as false and dishonest.
a) After all, we are a part of the body of Christ.
b) We should have reputations of complete honesty.
ILL. We are constantly being tempted and even encouraged to not be totally truthful. I remember applying for my first mortgage.
4. In verse 29 we see again the importance of a Christ-Follower having a good handle on the way they speak.
a) Almost as a way to re-state this point, but this time God’s Word takes it a step further and points to not only truth but speaking words that build up instead of tearing down.
b) We can speak truth that just rips people to shreds!
5. Last week we saw that we are to speak the truth in love. (vs. 15)
a) That means we weigh our words of truth before we speak them.
b) It doesn’t mean we don’t tell the truth for the sake of being loving. It just means we prayerfully consider ways to say the truth in the least hurtful manner.
c) It is hard work and it takes effort but it can be done.
6. This manner of speech begins with the words we choose to use.
a) We are not to be profiled as people of lewd, dirty, un-Christ-like talk. See Eph. 5:4
b) Rather we’re to be known as those who use language to constructively build up others.
c) Our words should minister grace and draw others closer to Christ.
7. And what is interesting is that the Bible tells us here that when we don’t get this right, our words and our speech, that is. It has the most potential to grieve the Holy Spirit. (v. 30)
a) This Holy Spirit is a person who can be offended or grieved.
b) A quality or impersonal force cannot be grieved.
c) We are enjoined to be careful not to do so.
8. We are to know this Holy Spirit and grow sensitive to his desires and not do things contrary so as to hurt, grieve him.
a) We were sealed by the Holy Spirit and we should bear this insignia rather than the emblem of a griever of the Holy Spirit.
B. People can tell we are Christ-Followers because we manage our emotions. (26-27 & 31)
1. It may surprise some of us to realize that there is a kind of anger that is approved by Scripture.
a) In fact verse 26 commands us with the imperative, Be Angry!, but sin not.
b) It means that to be angry at sin, say as our Lord was when He cleansed the Temple, or as Moses was when he broke the Tablets of Stone, or when we’re angry at the Holocaust or injustice or moral evil, is correct anger.
c) This type of anger is approved and willed by God.
d) To not be angry at such things would raise questions of our sensitivity to the things of God as mentioned back in verse 19.
2. We are also to be angry at our own sin--even to hate it.
3. The key is that this emotion of anger is one, like all of our emotions and sensual inclinations that must be managed and not allowed to manage us.
a) We do this by keeping short accounts! We deal with it promptly—
b) So prompt in fact that we don’t let the day end without resolving it.
4. And the reason this is important we are told is that unresolved anger can give Satan a foothold in our lives.
a) To gain a foothold means to gain ground and momentum in some way.
b) To allow an enemy to gain a foothold is to give up territory.
c) We give Satan an opportunity to have victory in our life every time we allow anger toward someone to brew and stew in our lives.
5. Again the way to avoid this is to deal with such things quickly.
a) Don’t let Satan get a foothold by letting anger simmer.
b) Dispose of it correctly before the day ends. Don’t sleep on it or nourish it.
6. In verse 31 we see a second appeal that is similar.
a) Manage your emotions!
b) Especially those that cause anger!
C. People can tell we are Christ-Followers by our honesty at work. (v. 28; Col. 3:23)
1. Not only are we to be honest and truthful in our words, but also in our dealings with people.
2. We are to be careful not to steal anything.
a) Stealing means to take something that isn’t ours.
b) This can be downloaded songs for our MP3 player.
c) This stealing can be making illegal copies of copy righted materials.
d) It can be wasting time at work because time is money!
e) It can be taking home paper clips and pens and other office supplies that are not ours to take.
3. When we work we are to work as unto the Lord.
Colossians 3:23 (NIV)
23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,
4. The result of our honest hard work is not to just help us get rich.
a) It says here that such work is to produce something that can be shared with others.
b) We give an honest days labor to care for the needs of ourselves and others.
c) Whether those others are our family members or those less fortunate.
D. People can tell we are Christ-Followers by our compassion and forgiveness. (32)
1. This verse is the bottom line of what God is teaching us today.
2. Be kind, an compassionate and forgiving.
3. A drastic contrast to the profile of an individual who is far from God.
a) If we are to be called Christian then we need to act like it!
b) Our lifestyle, our words and deeds must reflect a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
CONCLUSION
Many preachers have repeated a story about Alexander the Great. The greatest military man of his day was Diligent, fastidious, disciplined. On one occasion, A young drunken soldier was brought before him for censure. Alexander asked the charges; then asked the soldier if he had any defense. The Emperor seemed fairly dispassionate throughout this judicial process. His decision having been made, the same one as normally sentenced to drunken soldiers, Alexander finally asked the name of the prisoner. The name of the soldier, Alexander, gave rise to a royal rage. The Emperor jerked him up in anger, sobering this soldier in a hurry and said: "Soldier, change your name or change your behavior."
Should that be said to you or me as we examine this Christian profile? --Change your name or change your behavior?
A spirit born total transformation is what is profiled here. We are to have a detachment from the world and the old sinful self and complete attachment to Christ. Let each of us as the Spirit gives life--put off the old and put on the new. That is our profile and thus we do--live a life worthy of our calling.
