New Growth

Be renewed in the spirit of your minds… put on the new self.

Ephesians 4:23 CSB

Sometimes in Texas, we have the season called “autumn.”  It can be a beautiful season with lots of amazing color. But most years, the season deserves the name “fall.” The leaves simply turn brown and fall to the ground. Or they stay shriveled up, clinging stubbornly to the tree. The leaves literally won’t come off the tree until the next spring’s new growth pushes the shriveled-up leaf off the tree. Only then, it tumbles to the ground.

This example reminds me of what Paul says about my spiritual renewal…

Take off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires, to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth (Ephesians 4:22-24 CSB).

I have an old self, a former way of life, that is corrupted by deceitful desires that seem to cling to me like that old shriveled up leaf clinging to the tree. It takes super-natural help from the Holy Spirit to push off the old self… to make it let go.

Then, the Holy Spirit renews my thoughts and attitudes, like new growth, making me more like Jesus and giving me His righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:24).

When my old self lifestyle seems to suddenly come back, I need to remember to ask for help from the Holy Spirit and be obedient. He causes the new growth of my new self to strengthen, so I live the way Jesus leads me.

Father, in the quiet of my heart, You speak to me whispering, “Child, don’t revert back to your old ways. Ask for My help to renew and seek the new growth of your new self.” Lord, help me listen to Your Holy Spirit and help me become more like Jesus. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

Stacy A. Davis