It’s a new year! Oftentimes, people will celebrate by flipping the calendar and making a New Year’s resolution. Whether it’s to read more, or lose that spare tire, or even be more prayerful, we all have something new that we want to do after the ball drops in Times Square.
Unfortunately, it’s not long before you succumb to your old habits. You think to yourself, “Eh, I’d rather watch TV than read a book.” Maybe you say to yourself, “I’m too tired to go to the gym.” Or perhaps your excuse is, “I’ll just pray twice as much tomorrow.” You get the picture.
The Bible teaches us that once we put our faith in Jesus, we are to cast aside the shackles of our old nature, and be obedient to His teachings. Look what Paul has to say about it in Ephesians 4:17-19 when speaking about the way the people of Ephesus used to live.
“With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.”
Then in Ephesians 4:20-24, the Apostle Paul tells us how those who are saved by the grace of God through their belief in Jesus Christ should live.
“But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.”
As a believer in the Savior, you now have the Holy Spirit living inside you. Allow the Spirit of God to guide your steps and put on your new nature; one that is obedient to God.
Truth & Discernment 