Have a Renewed Mind (Ephesians 4:23)

While we are to put off all sin from our lives and put on the Lord Jesus Christ, Paul exhorts us in Ephesians 4:23 that the spirit of our minds are to be renewed continually.

In this study, we examine what the “spirit of your mind” means and how we can continually live in the renewal of our innermost being.

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Key Passage: Ephesians 4:23

… and to be renewed in the spirit of your mind …
– Ephesians 4:23

Learning Christ

Paul gives a contrast between the life we once lived in sin (Ephesians 4:17–19) and the life we now live in Christ (Ephesians 4:20–24).

• Ephesians 4:20–24 – But you did not learn Christ in this way—if indeed you heard Him and were taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus—
  • 1. to lay aside, in reference to your former conduct, the old man, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 
  • 2. and to be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 
  • 3. and to put on the new man, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth

Put Off

• Throw off (like hucking a baseball) all sin
• Hebrews 12:1–2a – Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, laying aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus …

Be renewed in the spirit of Your mind

• Ephesians 4:23 – … and to be renewed in the spirit of your mind …
• RENEWED – ananeoō – to be renewed, to make new
  • Only time used in NT
• Markus Barth – “Renewal means much more than reform, reorientation, or reactivation. Since spirit and mind exert a dominating and steering function, a renewed “spirit and mind” mean no less than a total change of the total man. His internal and external capacities and actions are equally affected. The whole man with his very best concerns, highest abilities, and deepest exigencies is subject to “revolution” and new beginning.” ⁽¹⁾

Spirit of Your Mind

1. Holy Spirit is the one renewing your mind –  “Be renewed by the Spirit in your mind”
2. Paul is using two terms “spirit” and “mind” synonymously to describe the innermost being — the heart, soul, core, “inner man” of a person
   • But Paul says “the spirit OF your mind” not “IN your mind”
   • Scholar: This suggests that the pattern, motivation and direction of our thinking needs to be changed. Only then will Christ’s character be formed in us and our behaviour will reflect his direction and control. ⁽²⁾ // David Peterson, Possessed by God: A New Testament Theology of Sanctification and Holiness, ed. D. A. Carson, vol. 1, New Studies in Biblical Theology (England; Downers Grove, IL: Apollos; InterVarsity Press, 1995), 132.

Ongoing Renewal

• Verb, present, passive, infinitive
• Romans 12:2 – And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may approve what the will of God is, that which is good and pleasing and perfect.
• Titus 3:5 – He saved us, not by works which we did in righteousness, but according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
• 2 Corinthians 3:18 – But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory [from one degree of glory to another], just as from the Lord, the Spirit. 
• 2 Corinthians 4:16 – Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.

Ongoing Contrast

• Ephesians 4:22 – … to lay aside, in reference to your former conduct, the old man, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit …
• “Being corrupted” (although a participle) is also in the present tense
• Either we will live in sin and will continually be corrupted OR we will live in Christ and continually be renewed
  • A present activity will happen (I’m always moving one way or the other)
  • No coasting in Christianity 

We Need Jesus (Learn Christ)

• Christianity isn’t mimic or “fake it till you make it”
  • It’s a total transformation of one’s life
  • NEW nature
• Ian Thomas: … godliness is not the consequence of your capacity to imitate God, but the consequence of His capacity to reproduce Himself in you; not self-righteousness, but Christ-righteousness; the righteousness which is by faith ­ a faith which by renewed dependence upon God releases His divine action, to restore the marred image of the Invisible God. It is not inactivity, but Christ-activity; God in action accomplishing the divine end through human personality. ⁽³⁾ // Ian Thomas, The Mystery of Godliness. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House. ©1964.
• Philippians 2:5 (NKJV) – Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus …
• Philippians 4:8 – Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is dignified, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, consider these things.
• Colossians 3:1–3 – Therefore, if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you died and your life has been hidden with Christ in God.
• Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV) – But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
• Ian Thomas: You can’t, but He never said you could. He will, and He always said He would.

FOOTNOTES

(1) Markus Barth, Ephesians: Introduction, Translation, and Commentary on Chapters 4-6, vol. 34A, Anchor Yale Bible (New Haven; London: Yale University Press, 2008), 509.

Photo Credit: Sumaid pal Singh Bakshi

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Question: How is God renewing your heart and mind in this season?

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In Our Next Study Together …

I invite you to join me on this journey from the book of Ephesians to discover God’s eternal purpose, His plan for your life, and learn how to practically live out an abundant and fruitful Christian life. 

• The focus of our next study: Ephesians 4:24
  • We are going to dive into the concept of putting on Jesus Christ as clothing (the new man)
  • I encourage you to read through Ephesians a couple of times this week and focus specifically on Ephesians 4.