By Peter. Bible Reading: Ephesians 4:20-32
During our Divine Service, I chose to reflect on a passage from Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians which speaks about living as children of light. It is a phrase that appears in different forms throughout the Bible, but what does it actually mean for us in our everyday and spiritual lives?
A few weeks ago, I asked the congregation whether they could explain what love is in just one word. This time, I asked a different question: if you had to explain light in one word, what would that word be?
For me, this passage from Ephesians gives us an opportunity to think about light, change and the way in which our faith should influence the lives we lead.
What Does It Mean to Put Off the Old Self?
One part of the reading that particularly stood out to me was the instruction to “put off your old self” and “put on the new self”.
These are very simple words, but there is great wisdom behind them.
Throughout our lives, there will be times when we need to change. Some changes will concern our material lives, while others will concern our spiritual development. We acquire habits, attitudes and ways of thinking which may once have served us but which we eventually need to leave behind.
The Bible often gives us guidance that works on two levels. It speaks generally to humanity, but at the same time it can speak very personally to each one of us.
When Paul tells us to put off the old self and put on the new, the change required will not necessarily be the same for everyone. Each of us must look honestly at ourselves and consider what we personally need to change.
Becoming New in the Attitude of Our Minds
In Ephesians 4:20-24, Paul reminds us that those who have learned the way of Christ are called to leave behind their former way of life and:
“be made new in the attitude of your minds.”
This idea of renewal is important.
Christian teaching does not simply ask us to believe something. It asks us to allow that belief to influence the way we think, speak and behave.
Paul then makes this very practical. He tells us to reject falsehood and speak truthfully. He warns us about allowing anger to control us. He tells those who have stolen to work honestly instead, so that they may have something to share with people in need.
He also reminds us to consider the effect our words have upon others. Rather than allowing unwholesome talk to come from our mouths, our words should be used to build people up and benefit those who hear them.
These are practical examples of what it means to put on the new self.
What Does It Mean to Be a Child of Light?
I also reflected on the words “child” and “light”.
When we speak about becoming children of light, I do not understand “child” to mean becoming infantile or immature. Instead, I think about the qualities we associate with a child who is ready to learn.
We should try to keep our minds open. We should remain willing to learn and develop spiritually, approaching God with faith and trust.
There is something important in maintaining that openness. However old or experienced we become, none of us has reached the point where there is nothing more to learn.
Jesus Christ as the Light of the World
For me, the meaning of light ultimately leads us towards Christ.
In the Gospel of John, Christ is associated repeatedly with light. John tells us that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14), while Jesus later declares:
“I am the light of the world.” – John 8:12
This helps us understand the imagery of light not simply as brightness, but as spiritual truth, guidance and the presence of God.
When we seek to live in that light, we are trying to follow the example and teachings of Jesus. Ephesians itself speaks of being “taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus”.
For Christians and Christian Spiritualists, this provides an important foundation for spiritual development. We are spirit and flesh, living our earthly lives while seeking a deeper understanding of our spiritual nature and our relationship with God.
Kindness, Compassion and Forgiveness
Perhaps some of the most immediately relevant words in the passage come towards its conclusion.
Paul tells us to put away bitterness, rage, anger, slander and malice. In their place, we are instructed to become kind and compassionate, forgiving one another.
These instructions may sound simple when they are read aloud in church. Living by them is considerably more challenging.
Most of us will experience anger. Most of us will encounter people whom we find difficult to forgive. We may say things that we later regret or hold onto bitterness long after an event has passed.
This is why the idea of putting off the old self is so powerful. Spiritual development requires us to recognise those things within ourselves and consciously work to change them.
It does not necessarily happen all at once. We continue learning throughout our lives.
Walking Towards the Light
I also see a connection between this idea of light and the vision given to John in the Book of Revelation.
In Revelation 21, John describes the New Jerusalem and a remarkable vision of a place illuminated not by the sun or moon, but by the glory of God, with the Lamb as its lamp (Revelation 21:23).
For me, there is a beautiful connection here.
We begin with the challenge to change ourselves: to put off the old self, renew our minds and put on the new. We are encouraged to live with truth, kindness, compassion and forgiveness. We seek to follow Christ, the light of the world.
And ultimately, Scripture presents us with a vision of where that journey towards God’s light is leading.
What Do We Need to Change?
The reading from Ephesians gives us many examples of changes we might make, but the message is personal.
Each of us must decide which part speaks most directly to us.
Is there bitterness we need to release? Is there somebody we need to forgive? Could our words be more helpful and encouraging? Do we need to become more truthful with ourselves or others? Is there an old attitude or habit that it is time to leave behind?
To put off the old self and put on the new is not merely an instruction belonging to people who lived two thousand years ago. It is something we can consider throughout our own lives.
As children of light, we can remain open to learning, place our faith and trust in our Father God, follow the teachings of Christ and continue working towards becoming the people we are spiritually called to be.
God bless.
Scripture References
The principal Bible reading is Ephesians 4:20-32.
Related passages include John 1:1-14, concerning the Word becoming flesh; John 8:12, where Jesus describes himself as the Light of the World; and Revelation 21:1-27, John’s vision of the New Jerusalem and the light of God’s presence.
This article was drafted using Chat GPT AI from a transcript of Peter’s bible reading in Church. Edited by a human. Featured image by Chat GPT.
