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Listen while you read: "Give Thanks To God"1
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Ephesians 4:22-24 – As for your past life, you are to cast off the old man who is being corrupted through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind. And put on the new man, who has been created according to God for righteousness and true holiness. (RGT)
How many of us remember Clark Kent running after he heard a cry for help, grabbing his suit jacket, and removing it as he changed into Superman? He was leaving the mild-mannered, weakling Clark behind and becoming the powerful superhero. He acted afraid and confused as Clark Kent, but once he became Superman, no one could defy his strength and ability to solve any crime.
As Christians, we must also remove "the old man", who is weak and living in corruption and deceitful desires. The corrupted, deceitful, "old man" depended on pride, a job, money, success, intelligence, and his instincts. We must remove the "jacket" that keeps us from letting God change us into the new creation who lets God work through us with His superpower. God is never going to lead us where He hasn't already prepared the way and obtained the victory.
As we let go of the "old man", which makes us weak and confused, we can allow God to work in us — renewing our mind — and go out to confront our enemies in His righteousness and true holiness. He has given us the superhero "suit", the armour of Christ, which helps us to withstand the power and wiles of Satan and to stand firm in the Lord.
Ephesians 6:10-11,13 – Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the deceit of the devil. For this reason take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on the evil day. And having finished all things, stand fast. (RGT)
We are not asked to fight the battle ourselves. We are asked to stand firm, believing in His power and might to fight and win the battle for us. God is the superhero, Who cannot be defeated.
Prayer: Father, help us to take off the old man and be clothed in the new man. Help us to let go of our own might and strength and put our entire being in Your hands. Help us to remember that we are weak, but we don't have to depend on our own strength when we have You, the Lord of heaven's armies, the almighty God, by our side. Amen.
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About the author:
Becky Lucero <ml2939@yahoo.com>
El Paso, Texas, USA
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Thanks for the encouraging thoughts, Becky.
Morning Becky, what a great analogy. Thanks for sharing it this way.
Well said, Becky. Thank you,
(Texas)
Great to hear your words of wisdom but to also to hear about Superhero of the past. Lord bless you!
Thank you. Just what I needed to hear this morning. Sometimes I need a reminder!
(Manitoba)
Thank you, Becky, for today’s devotion.
Very good point.
Blessings,
(Québec)
Good morning, Becky,
I enjoy when someone puts a different twist on the message. It refreshes my brain in some way and reinforces the message. Thanks for sharing and let us all “put on the new man”. Blessings.
Oh Becky! What truth you tell us; and yet it’s so easy to follow the short cut and “get it over and done with”. Let’s face it God’s way is sometimes lengthy, lonely, and for “losers”, in worldly values.
I’m learning! Thanks for the encouragement,
(BC Canada)
Thank you, Becky, for your great analogy of describing actions of Clark Kent changing over to Superman and how we can show great strength by calling on our Lord to help us thru circumstances. Yes, when we call upon our loving Lord, He responds in the very best way to solve our problems and He is ever deserving of our respect and gratitude. Blessings for your very special devotional writing today.
The way I see it is that we can’t ‘put on the new man’. GOD HIMSELF IS the New Man, in me, as me. All I can do is say ‘yes’ to Him being my New Man. Thanks for your articles, I see them every day.
Thank you, Becky. A good connection to a familiar story.