Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 8, 2022: SOAP #4570: Ecclesiastes 7-9; Ephesians 4

SCRIPTURE: Ephesians (NIV) 4:22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

OBSERVATION:  Much about a person is communicated through the clothes they wear.  People cannot see what is happening inside a person, but they can see the clothes.  In the above verses, Christians are told to “put off the old self,” and to “put on the new self.”  It is speaking of our outward life—the part visible to others. 

Our outward actions are expressions of inner attitudes.  God, living on the inside helps me with my attitudes.  And as the inside attitudes change, people can see the change in my life. 

The old self is not proper outerwear for the new Christ-life that is inside.  The things we once did, the way we once talked do not properly display the life of Christ that now resides within. 

APPLICATION: The old attitudes were very often centered on self.  God is helping me establish attitudes centered on God and others.  When I think about how God sees things, and what He thinks about them, my actions change.  The way I talk and what I do changes.    

PRAYER:  Lord, I give you permission to change me on the inside.  Change my heart.  Change my attitudes.  Change my thoughts.  Make the inside of me to be a place you enjoy.  I know that the better you enjoy the inside of me, the more people will enjoy the outside of me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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