honey.

“that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,” Ephesians 4:22

As I was reading this verse, a song by Relient K came on shuffle on my iTunes. The chorus says,

“I'm sorry for the person I became.
I'm sorry that it took so long for me to change.
I'm ready to be sure I never become that way again
'cause who I am hates who I've been.
Who I am hates who I've been.”

The middle line of it stands out to me in accordance with the verse. “...lay aside the old self...” When I accepted Jesus, I became a new creation; the old has passed away, and the new had come (2 Corinthians 5:17). However, I need to say “I'm ready to be sure I never become that way again.” Even though I consider my old self dead in Christ, I need to constantly be on guard that I am not deceived into sin. I need to fully hate and abhor my old self and its practices, and clothe myself in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

Psalm 119:11 says, “I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” I need to continually hide the Word in my heart, so that I may stay away from sin and not return again to my old self. Therefore, I will take greater diligence in memorizing scripture and deeper discipline in studying it. His words are life to me.

Psalm 119:103-106

“How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! From Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn and I will confirm it, that I will keep your righteous ordinances.”

August 29, 2011