Ephesians 4:22-24

To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

PRAYER

Lord, thank you for the inheritance you have given me through salvation.

Help me to accept it and apply it in my life through the renewing of my mind as I practice putting it on daily as a helmet of protection against toxic thinking.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Additional Devotions

Just as our body has a finger print that specifically identifies us, so does our soul. It’s our soul print. The minute we accept Christ our soul print reveals to others that we are His.

We leave “prints” in the wake of every interaction. It’s revealed by what we say and how we say it; what we do and more importantly why we do it.

With that in mind, what kind of mark do you leave on those you’re in relationship with? The larger world around you? Those less fortunate?

As it relates to our scripture for this week challenging us to put on our new self fashioned after the likeness of our Creator…do you believe you have been given a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline?

Believe it—you have!

2 Tim. 1:7; “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline”

Do you believe all your needs are met by God?

Believe it—they are!

Phil. 4:19; “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus”

Do you believe you can do all things through Christ, who gives you the strength you need?

Believe it—you can!

Phil. 4:13; “I can do all this through him who gives me strength”

Isn’t it amazing how God’s salvation is holistic in nature? It affects the entirety of our being; not only changing where we will spend eternity but also inspires a type of balance and health of our whole person.

This process of renewal is two-fold: we must receive the truth first in order to apply it. And when we do both of these things, we enter into our new identity in Christ. In essence, it is our “soul identity”.

As a matter of course, this journey towards wellness starts in our mind and what we believe to be true. Consequently, our behavior is influenced by our thoughts so that when we think toxic thoughts, we act in toxic ways. It is cyclical in nature. In order to break this negative cycle, we need to apply scripture to our thoughts. This exercise is the basis for putting on the new self.

You can start right now by exchanging a negative thought with a truth from God’s word. Go ahead, give it a try by using one of the scriptures above. It will take some effort at the beginning, but once you develop a habit of replacing a negative thought with the truth of who you are in Christ, you’ll never go back.

Our identity needs to be based on the truth of God’s word. This is our helmet of salvation and we must put it on every day, and in every battle. Some times, even minute to minute. In doing so, you will alter the choices you make and become more and more of who God created you to be.

Our new identity is revealed by our Soul Print. We are His! I challenge you to put on your new identity. Don’t listen to old tapes that play in your head from past experiences. They only serve to taint your thoughts and behavior negatively. Instead, apply the helmet of salvation and all the benefits of being a child of God. You are a new creation in Christ, receive it, apply it, and live it.

Reflect and Respond:

This week, I would like to challenge you to take your thoughts captive and apply the truth of God’s word to each one. Possibly write a special scripture that speaks directly to your heart and post it in a prominent place (the dashboard of your car, refrigerator, bathroom mirror, on your phone or computer screen). Let it be a gentle reminder of the new you. My prayer is that it will free you to be all God has created you to be as you head into this week.

Remember, you are not alone. Be blessed as you let your Soul Prints make a mark on the hearts and lives of those around you this week.