Surrender the Old Self
Scripture
“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.” - Ephesians 4:22-24 ESV
Devotional
The old self has habits. It has defense mechanisms. It has patterns of thinking, speaking, reacting, and withdrawing. The old self says, “This is just who I am.” But Christ says, “You are being made new.”
Following Jesus means we cannot carry every old pattern into a new season. Some things must be laid down. Old bitterness. Old excuses. Old isolation. Old anger. Old shame. Old ways of coping that keep us spiritually stuck.
Surrender is not always dramatic. Sometimes surrender looks like answering the phone. Apologizing. Forgiving. Going to prayer instead of spiraling in worry. Showing up when you’d rather hide. Asking for help. Letting someone see the real you.
God is not trying to destroy your personality. He is renewing your identity. The old self survives through control, fear, and pride. The new self lives through trust, humility, and obedience.
Reflection
What part of my “old self” keeps showing up in difficult moments?
What is one old pattern God is asking me to lay down?
Pray: “Lord, help me put off the old and walk in the new.”
“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.” - Ephesians 4:22-24 ESV
Devotional
The old self has habits. It has defense mechanisms. It has patterns of thinking, speaking, reacting, and withdrawing. The old self says, “This is just who I am.” But Christ says, “You are being made new.”
Following Jesus means we cannot carry every old pattern into a new season. Some things must be laid down. Old bitterness. Old excuses. Old isolation. Old anger. Old shame. Old ways of coping that keep us spiritually stuck.
Surrender is not always dramatic. Sometimes surrender looks like answering the phone. Apologizing. Forgiving. Going to prayer instead of spiraling in worry. Showing up when you’d rather hide. Asking for help. Letting someone see the real you.
God is not trying to destroy your personality. He is renewing your identity. The old self survives through control, fear, and pride. The new self lives through trust, humility, and obedience.
Reflection
What part of my “old self” keeps showing up in difficult moments?
What is one old pattern God is asking me to lay down?
Pray: “Lord, help me put off the old and walk in the new.”