Put Off the Old Man: A Call to True Transformation

The Christian life is not simply about improving our old ways; it is about allowing Christ to make us new. Scripture calls us to put off the “old man”, the former life ruled by selfishness, pride, sinful habits, worldly desires, anger, dishonesty, and self-will.

“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” — Ephesians 4:22–24 (KJV)

Putting off the old man means giving up the works of the flesh and surrendering the attitudes and practices that belonged to our former way of life. We cannot carry the old life while claiming to walk in the new. Paul writes:

“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.” — Colossians 3:9–10 (KJV)

This transformation reaches deeper than outward behavior. God desires to renew the mind, heart, motives, words, habits, and character. The old man says, I want my own way. The new man asks, What would God have me to do? Every day presents another opportunity to surrender self and allow the Holy Spirit to reproduce the character of Christ within us.

Country Living, Preparation, and Urgency

The call to prepare for country living must never become only a physical relocation while the old man remains unchanged. We may prepare land, water, food, gardens, shelter, and other necessities, but our greatest preparation is spiritual. The urgency of the times should lead us to remove worldly attachments, simplify our lives, strengthen our families, learn practical skills, and draw nearer to God. There is little value in leaving the cities if we carry the spirit of the world into the country. The deepest preparation is to put off the old man now and allow God to prepare a people whose characters are ready to stand faithfully wherever He leads.

“And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” — Ephesians 4:24 (KJV)

The urgent work is not only to prepare a place in the country, it is also to prepare the heart. Put off the old man, put on the new, and be ready to follow God wherever He leads.