• The Old Man is characterized by delusion: This involves a deluded mind (disconnected from God’s truth), a deluded heart (darkened, hardened, and deceitful), and deluded feelings (being “past feeling” or desensitized to sin). This state results from suppressing the truth and living apart from God.
• Delusion leads to destructive actions: When the mind, heart, and feelings are deluded, it results in futile thinking, unrighteousness, impurity, greed, and friendship with the world, which is enmity against God.
• The New Man is characterized by renewal: Through “learning Christ” and entering into a relationship with Him, a believer’s mind is renewed by God’s Word and prayer, their feelings are renewed by actively putting off sinful desires and embracing God’s grace, and their heart is renewed, aligning with Christ’s righteousness and holiness.
• Transformation is a process of putting off and putting on: Becoming the “new man” involves consciously putting off the former corrupt way of life (“the old man”) and putting on the new self created in God’s image.
• Salvation grants a new identity and citizenship: Through accepting Christ, one’s fundamental identity changes, and their citizenship is transferred from this world to God’s Kingdom, providing access to true life and freedom.
• Authentic living comes from this renewal: Living authentically means living as the “new man” in Christ, pursuing truth, and allowing God’s transformation to align our thoughts, desires, and actions with His.

Icebreaker Question

Think about a time you realized something you believed for a long time wasn’t actually true. How did that feel?

The Old Man

Paul describes the “old man” as walking in the futility of their mind, understanding darkened, alienated from the life of God, and having a blindness of heart. This state leads to a loss of sensitivity and a life given over to impurity and greed.

The Deluded Mind

• Scripture References: Ephesians 4:17, Proverbs 23:7a, Romans 1:18-19, Romans 1:28
• Summary: The deluded mind is characterized by thinking disconnected from God’s truth, resulting in a meaningless or vain outlook on life. This futility can lead to the suppression of the truth that is evident about God. When people choose not to retain God in their knowledge, God gives them over to a debased mind, causing them to do things that are not fitting. While outside forces try to influence our thoughts, how we think is ultimately our own responsibility. How you think determines how you act.
• Discussion Questions:
  • How does the concept of a “deluded mind” resonate with what you observe in the world today?
  • The message mentions that some people are so deluded they don’t even know it. Why do you think this is the case?
  • How does living in a society with more knowledge than ever before, yet lacking wisdom, contribute to having a deluded mind?
  • According to Romans 1:18-19, what leads people to suppress the truth?
• Application Questions:
  • What steps can you take this week to intentionally align your thoughts with God’s truth and prevent your mind from becoming deluded?
  • Are there specific areas in your life where your actions might be a result of a deluded mindset you haven’t recognized? How can you identify these?
  • How can remembering that God is a gentleman who allows choice, but eventually gives over those who don’t retain Him in their knowledge, motivate you to pursue truth?

The Deluded Heart

• Scripture References: Ephesians 4:18, Proverbs 23:7a, Romans 1:21, Jeremiah 17:9
• Summary: Following a deluded mind, the heart also becomes deluded. The heart, in the biblical sense, is the core of our being, the spiritual part where emotions and desires reside. When understanding is darkened due to alienation from God and ignorance, the heart becomes blind. Repeatedly choosing sin hardens and darkens the heart, making it disconnected from reason and wisdom. Jeremiah 17:9 describes the heart as deceitful and desperately wicked, capable of great evil.
• Discussion Questions:
  • How does the progression from a deluded mind to a deluded heart described in the text make sense in your understanding of human nature?
  • Jeremiah 17:9 states the heart is “deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked”. How does this truth challenge common views about human goodness?
  • What does it mean for a heart to become “hardened” or “blinded” to spiritual truth?
  • The example of someone knowing their actions were wrong but not feeling guilty illustrates what about a deluded heart?
• Application Questions:
  • What are potential signs in your own life that could indicate your heart is becoming hardened or deluded?
  • How can you actively guard your heart against the blinding and hardening effects of sin?
  • Recognizing the potential for wickedness in the human heart, how should this drive you to rely more on God’s grace and transformation?

The Deluded Feeling

• Scripture References: Ephesians 4:19, James 4:4
• Summary: When the mind is deluded and the heart is hardened, feelings are the next to be affected. People in this state are described as being “past feeling,” having lost their sensitivity to sin. They give themselves over to impurity and greed, often trying to suppress the inner turbulence of guilt and shame through sinful pleasure. However, this pursuit of worldly friendship means becoming an enemy of God. True freedom is found not in suppressing feelings, but in opening them to the love and joy in Christ Jesus.
• Discussion Questions:
  • What does it mean to be “past feeling” regarding sin? How does this happen?
  • How does trying to escape guilt and shame through “deceitful lusts” actually lead to deeper problems?
  • According to James 4:4, what is the spiritual consequence of pursuing friendship with the world?
  • How does the message contrast the false freedom sought through sin with the true freedom found in Christ?
• Application Questions:
  • Are you currently trying to suppress any feelings of guilt or shame? How can you address this authentically before God?
  • In what ways might you be tempted to seek comfort or escape in worldly pursuits rather than in Christ?
  • How can you intentionally choose to open your feelings to God’s love, mercy, and forgiveness this week?

The New Man

Paul contrasts the “old man” with the “new man,” describing the believer who has “learned Christ”. This transformation involves putting off the former corrupt conduct and being renewed in the spirit of the mind, putting on the new self which was created according to God in true righteousness and holiness.

The Renewed Mind

• Scripture References: Ephesians 4:20-21, 23, Romans 12:2, James 2:19
• Summary: Becoming a “new man” means learning Christ, which signifies having an intimate relationship with Him, not just knowing about Him. This relationship transforms us by the renewing of our minds. This renewal is an ongoing process achieved through reading God’s word and communicating with Him in prayer. A renewed mind helps us understand and prove God’s good, acceptable, and perfect will.
• Discussion Questions:
  • What is the practical difference between knowing about Christ and learning Christ? Why is this distinction important?
  • How does James 2:19 demonstrate that intellectual belief alone is insufficient for transformation?
  • How does an intimate relationship with Christ lead to a renewed mind?
  • According to Romans 12:2, how does the renewing of the mind relate to being transformed and understanding God’s will?
• Application Questions:
  • What specific practices will you implement this week to dedicate time to renewing your mind through God’s word and prayer?
  • How can you move beyond intellectual knowledge about God to a deeper, more intimate relationship with Christ?
  • In what specific situation this week can you ask God to help you discern and live out His will through your renewed mind?

The Renewed Feelings

• Scripture References: Ephesians 4:22, Hebrews 12:1b, John 11:43-44
• Summary: A key aspect of putting on the “new man” is putting off the “old man,” which is corrupted by deceitful lusts and depraved gratification. This means intentionally choosing not to give in to feelings and desires that lead to sin. The message uses the analogies of runners shedding weights and Lazarus being loosed from graveclothes to illustrate this process of laying aside sin that easily entangles us. By putting off the old, we are enabled to receive and replace guilt and shame with the love, mercy, and forgiveness offered in Christ.
• Discussion Questions:
  • How do the images of a runner shedding weights and Lazarus being loosed from graveclothes help explain what it means to put off the “old man”?
  • What are some common “deceitful lusts” or desires that the “old man” gives into today?
  • Why is actively “laying aside” sin necessary for spiritual progress and freedom?
  • How does putting off the old self make space for receiving God’s love, mercy, and forgiveness?
• Application Questions:
  • What specific “graveclothes” or weights of sin do you need to intentionally put off this week?
  • How can you be more intentional about resisting desires that you know lead to sin?
  • How can you actively embrace and live in the reality of God’s love, mercy, and forgiveness, replacing feelings of guilt and shame?

The Renewed Heart

• Scripture References: Ephesians 4:24, Philippians 3:20
• Summary: Putting on the “new man,” created in true righteousness and holiness according to God, signifies having a renewed heart. This is the culmination of the transformation process where learning Christ aligns our emotions, feelings, and desires with His. Salvation fundamentally changes our identity and citizenship from being part of this world to being citizens of God’s Kingdom in heaven. Access to this kingdom is not earned by qualifications but is a free invitation received through salvation by accepting Christ.
• Discussion Questions:
  • What does it mean for the “new man” to be “created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness”?
  • How does the alignment of our emotions, feelings, and desires with Christ demonstrate a renewed heart?
  • What is the significance of changing citizenship from this world to God’s Kingdom in heaven?
  • How does the analogy of the two country clubs (one based on earning, the other on invitation) explain the nature of salvation in Christianity?
• Application Questions:
  • How does knowing that your citizenship is in heaven impact how you view your life, priorities, and challenges on earth?
  • Have you fully accepted God’s inclusive invitation to salvation through Christ? If not, what might be preventing you?
  • How can you live more authentically as a citizen of God’s Kingdom in your daily interactions and choices this week?

Day 1: Walking in Delusion?

• Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-18a, Romans 1:18-19
• Key Focus: Recognizing that the world, and sometimes even our own perception, can be steeped in delusion, exchanging God’s truth for lies.
• Reflection: The document uses the analogy of seeing a forest to describe the journey of faith – the farther we get from our old life, the more we understand. Paul describes the “old man” or “Gentiles” as walking in the “futility of their mind,” disconnected from God’s truth. This deluded mindset suppresses the truth that God has made evident. This is the starting point of the old life, where thinking is vain and leads away from God.
• Application Question: In what ways might worldly thinking or a disconnection from God’s truth influence your perspective or decisions?
• Prayer Prompt: Pray for a mind centered on God’s truth and for protection against futile or deluded ways of thinking.

Day 2: When the Heart is Blind

• Scripture: Ephesians 4:18b, Romans 1:21, Jeremiah 17:9
• Key Focus: Exploring how a deluded mind leads to a darkened and blind heart, alienated from God’s life.
• Reflection: The document highlights a progression: futile thinking leads to a deluded heart. The heart, the core of our being where emotions and desires dwell, becomes darkened and blind when alienated from God. Romans 1:21 describes foolish hearts being darkened because they did not glorify God. Jeremiah warns that the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked. A hardened heart can even become past feeling guilt, illustrating how far delusion can penetrate our inner being.
• Application Question: Are there areas in your heart that feel hardened or distant from God? What might be causing this alienation?
• Prayer Prompt: Ask God to soften your heart, reveal any areas of blindness, and draw you closer to His life.

Day 3: The Danger of Hardened Feelings

• Scripture: Ephesians 4:19, James 4:4
• Key Focus: Understanding the state of being “past feeling” and giving oneself over to sin when mind and heart are deluded.
• Reflection: When the mind is deluded and the heart is darkened, feelings can become desensitized to sin. Being “past feeling” means giving oneself over to impurity and greediness without conviction. James warns that friendship with the world makes us enemies of God. This day focuses on the dangerous state of having feelings so deluded that they no longer register the seriousness of sin, highlighting the need for God’s grace to restore our spiritual sensitivity.
• Application Question: Have you noticed yourself becoming desensitized to certain sins? How can you cultivate a heart that is sensitive to the conviction of the Holy Spirit?
• Prayer Prompt: Pray for a renewed sensitivity to sin and the conviction of the Holy Spirit, asking God to prevent you from becoming “past feeling.”

Day 4: Shedding the Graveclothes

• Scripture: Ephesians 4:22
• Key Focus: The command to “put off the old man,” which is corrupt according to deceitful lusts.
• Reflection: Paul gives a direct command: put off the old man! The document compares this to a runner shedding warm-up clothes to run effectively or Lazarus being told to take off his graveclothes after being raised. The “old man” is characterized by deceitful, or deluded, lusts and corrupt conduct. This is the former way of life, driven by sinful desires rooted in the deluded mind, heart, and feelings. Putting off the old man is an active decision to separate ourselves from that former way of living and thinking.
• Application Question: What specific habits, thought patterns, or desires associated with the “old man” do you need to intentionally “put off” this week?
• Prayer Prompt: Ask God for strength to actively shed the old ways of thinking, feeling, and acting that are contrary to His will.

Day 5: Created in Righteousness and Holiness

• Scripture: Ephesians 4:20-21, 23-24, Philippians 3:20
• Key Focus: Understanding what it means to “put on the new man,” created in God’s image, through the renewing of the mind and accepting our new citizenship in Heaven.
• Reflection: Having put off the old man, we are called to “put on the new man,” which is created “according to God, in true righteousness and holiness”. This is made possible because we have “learned Christ” – not just learned about Him, but entered into an intimate relationship with Him. This involves the renewing of our mind through engaging with God’s Word and communicating with Him. As we put on the new man, our desires and feelings align with Christ’s. The document concludes by highlighting our new identity and citizenship in Heaven, a gift accessed through salvation, which is an inclusive invitation from God.
• Application Question: How does understanding that you are a “new creation” in Christ created in righteousness and holiness impact how you live today? What does it mean to live as a citizen of Heaven?
• Prayer Prompt: Thank God for creating you anew in Christ. Pray that you would increasingly live out your new identity, reflecting His righteousness and holiness and living as a grateful citizen of His kingdom.