Ephesians 4:24–32 – Put On the New Man

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: Letters Meant for the Whole Church
2. Laying the Foundation: The New Man in Verse 24
3. Understanding Verse 25: Speak Truth as a Fruit of Renewal
4. Righteous Anger and the Fallen Mindset in Verses 26–27
5. The Real Thief in John 10:10
6. Diabolos and the Fallen Mindset
7. Choices and Subconscious Belief Systems
8. Putting Off the Old, Putting On the New
9. Living From Victory, Not Striving For It
10. Walking in Kindness and Forgiveness

Introduction: Letters Meant for the Whole Church

Pastor Leonard opens by explaining that the book of Ephesians is a general epistle written by Paul, not directed at a single congregation but for the body of Christ as a whole. That means the truths within it are directly applicable to us today. He reminds the listener that this ministry is not about Pastor Leonard or Pastor Lori—it’s about expanding God's kingdom and helping believers awaken to their true identity in Christ.

Laying the Foundation: The New Man in Verse 24

Ephesians 4:24 sets the tone:
"And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." This is not something you earn by effort—it is something already given. It was created according to God and must be embraced through the renewing of the mind, which was mentioned in the preceding verse:

Ephesians 4:23- "And be renewed in the spirit of your mind." Paul is not preaching a works-based gospel. He's urging believers to live out the transformation already available to them through grace.

Understanding Verse 25: Speak Truth as a Fruit of Renewal

Ephesians 4:25 says:
"Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another."

Pastor Leonard clarifies this is not about gritting your teeth and trying harder. The ability to put away lying and speak truth flows from a renewed mind. It's not a requirement to earn God’s favor—it's a result of embracing the truth already inside you.

Righteous Anger and the Fallen Mindset in Verses 26–27

Ephesians 4:26-27- "Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil."

Pastor Leonard points out that anger is not sinful in itself—Jesus demonstrated righteous anger toward religious leaders, not people. He then addresses a common misunderstanding: blaming personal struggles on the devil. He calls it a "cop-out" mindset that distracts us from the real issue—our thinking.

The Real Thief in John 10:10

John 10:10- "The thief cometh not, but to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."

This verse, often used to describe Satan, is referring to false religious instructors. Jesus was confronting systems that rob people of life and replace grace with burdens. Identifying the true "thief" is vital to walking in victory.

Diabolos and the Fallen Mindset

Pastor Leonard breaks down the Greek root of the word "devil"—Diabolos, from dia (through/by) and balo (to cast down). It's not referring to a singular enemy but to a fallen mindset—a mindset that pulls us down and contradicts what God says about us.

Ephesians 2:6- "And hath raised us together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus."

The problem isn’t a devil chasing you—it’s old thinking keeping you from living where you’re already seated.

Choices and Subconscious Belief Systems

Pastor Leonard explains how much of our internal resistance to truth is rooted in the subconscious mind, what he believes the Bible refers to as the soul. Years of programming from religion and the world cause us to resist the truth of being healed, holy, righteous, and complete—even after we’re born again.

Putting Off the Old, Putting On the New

Transformation happens by embracing what God already says is true—not by working for it. We must take off the old mindset like clothing and put on the new by renewing our minds. Pastor Leonard gives a powerful illustration of how trying to wear the new without taking off the old never works.

Living From Victory, Not Striving For It

The believer doesn’t strive to become righteous or holy—they are righteous and holy already in Christ. Every time we’re faced with a choice between old thoughts and truth, we’re being given a chance to reinforce what God has already done.

Walking in Kindness and Forgiveness

Ephesians 4:28- "Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth."

Ephesians 4:30- "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."

Ephesians 1:3- "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ."

Grieving the Holy Spirit isn’t about offending God—it’s about rejecting what He’s provided for you. When we walk in a fallen mindset, we live beneath our blessing. But when we walk in our new identity, everything changes.

Ephesians 4:31-32- "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

When the new mindset becomes our reality, kindness, forgiveness, and love flow naturally.

We hope this article has blessed you. Share this teaching with someone who needs to hear that they are already complete, already righteous, and already deeply loved. Let them know they’re not striving to become—they’re learning to believe what’s already been done. Walk in your blessing, and remember: you are renewed by the Spirit of your mind.