“since you have taken off your old self with its practices”
Colossians 3:9b (NIV)
Have you ever cleaned out your closet and found clothes that just aren’t “you” anymore? Maybe it’s that old band t-shirt from high school or those jeans that haven’t fit in years. You look at them and think, “What was I thinking?” It’s not that there’s anything inherently wrong with these clothes. They’re not torn or stained. They just don’t suit who you are now. They represent a version of yourself you’ve outgrown. In those moments, you realize it’s time to let go, not because you have to, but because these clothes no longer reflect who you’ve become.
This is exactly what Paul is getting at when he talks about taking off our old self. It’s not about forcibly changing who we are, but about recognizing that in Christ, we’ve already changed. The old garments of our former life simply don’t fit the new creation we’ve become.
But what exactly are these “garments” of the old self? They’re the habits, attitudes, and behaviors that characterized our lives before Christ. They’re the knee-jerk reactions, the ingrained thought patterns, the default settings of our pre-Christ existence. These practices might have once felt comfortable and familiar just like those old clothes in our closet. But now, as new creations in Christ, they feel increasingly out of place. They’re not us anymore.
Identifying these old garments is crucial for our spiritual growth. It’s easy to go through life on autopilot, never really examining why we do what we do or think what we think. But Paul’s words challenge us to take a good, hard look at ourselves. What practices of our old self are we still hanging onto? Better yet, why do we still do what we’re not supposed to?
Maybe it’s the garment of self-reliance. We’ve grown so accustomed to trying to handle everything on our own that we forget to rely on God. Or perhaps it’s the outfit of people-pleasing, always adjusting our behavior to win the approval of others rather than seeking to please God.
For some, it might be the heavy cloak of unforgiveness, wrapped tightly around our hearts, keeping us bitter and isolated. Others might be wearing the flashy garments of materialism, still believing that possessions can bring lasting happiness.
The wardrobe of the old self is vast and varied. It includes anger, jealousy, gossip, pride, fear, and other attitudes and behaviors that don’t align with our new identity in Christ. Each of us has our unique collection, tailored by our past experiences and ingrained over years of wear.
But here’s the liberating truth: in Christ, we’ve already taken off this old self. The process of identifying and discarding these old garments isn’t about becoming someone new. It’s about living as who we already are in Christ. It’s about aligning our daily practices with our true identity.
As Pastor Mark Batterson wisely notes, “The Christian life is not about becoming who we want to be. It’s about unbecoming who we are not.” We’re not trying to force ourselves into a new identity. We’re peeling away layers of false selves to reveal who God has already made us to be in Christ. It’s a process of discovery and unveiling, allowing our true, redeemed nature to shine through as we discard the ill-fitting garments of our past.
This process of identification and removal can be challenging—often one of the most difficult things to do. Some of these old garments feel like second skin. We’ve worn them so long that letting them go can be scary. What will we wear instead? Who will we be without these familiar patterns? Why do I feel so unfamiliar?
That’s where faith comes in. We trust that God, who began this good work in us, will bring it to completion (Philippians 1:6). We believe that as we let go of these old garments, we’re making room for the new self to shine through – the self that’s being renewed in the image of our Creator. You’re not alone in Christ.
Godseekers, the journey of identifying and discarding the garments of our old selves is ongoing. Each day presents new opportunities to recognize these old practices and choose to leave them behind. As we do, we’ll find ourselves walking more fully in the freedom and power of our new life in Christ. Time to wear God’s glory today!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for making us new creations in Christ. Open our eyes to see the clothes of our old self that we’re still wearing. Give us the courage to let them go, trusting that You’ve already clothed us in righteousness. Help us to live fully as who we are in You, discarding old practices and embracing the new life You’ve given us. May our lives increasingly reflect Your image. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Personal Reflection
- What truth about yourself are you most afraid to accept as you consider shedding your old self?
- How might letting go of an old practice create space for a new, Christ-like attribute in your life?
Step of Faith
Today, choose one “garment” of your old self that you’ve identified. It could be a habit, an attitude, or a behavior that doesn’t align with your identity in Christ. Write it down, then write next to it a corresponding trait of your new self in Christ (e.g., “criticism” → “encouragement”, “self-reliance” → “God-dependence”). Commit to consciously “taking off” the old and “putting on” the new throughout the day. At the end of the day, reflect on how this intentional choice affected your thoughts, actions, and relationships.
