Introduction
The conjunction "but" draws a contrast or distinction. It signifies a pivot. This is much like the New Testament word "repent" which means to do a 180. It’s an "about-face" in military terms. Today, Paul signifies that we must turn from the old ways and walk in the new through the power of “but.”

Today’s Scripture
Ephesians 4:20-24 (New Living Translation)

"But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy."

Explanation and Reflection
We must allow God to transform us and live in Paul’s “but” conjunction from verse 20.

1. Hear
   Paul talks about how the Ephesians heard the truth, which fundamentally changed them. Do you listen to the truth, and do you let it change you? In other words, do you consume the Bible regularly, and do you do what it says? When Jesus was tempted in the desert, he said, “People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). For Jesus, Scripture was food and life. What we consume will consume us. Is it Netflix? Sports? Instagram? Cable news? Or do we consume God’s Word so that it is the primary formative source in our lives?
2. Throw Off
   Your brain, soul, time, and life only have so much space. The reality is that we often don’t have room for the Gospel in our lives. This requires us to jettison other things to make room for God, but few people are willing to do this. Sometimes, adding the positive only happens with the subtraction of the negative.
3. Renew Your Mind
   The hardest thing to control is our minds. They easily drift toward sin. That is why, if you read through the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), you will see that Jesus addresses not only people’s actions but also their thoughts. In other parts of the New Testament, Paul talks about the importance of our minds (Philippians 4:8 and 2 Corinthians 10:5). When our thoughts are not submitted to the Gospel, evil thoughts eventually leak out through our speech and actions.
4. Put on the New
   Finally, we have been called to put on the new. Sometimes we try to put on our new self over the old self. It’s like putting clean clothes on top of the dirty clothes you are wearing, hoping that hiding the old clothes' dirt and smell will make them disappear. We all know that doesn’t work. The good news of the Gospel is that Christ’s power through the Spirit enables us to take off the old and put on the new, if only we will submit and surrender.

Most of us are familiar with the phrase “out with the old and in with the new.” That’s Paul’s theology for the church in Ephesus. Paul discusses the new self as being “created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.” Our goal as God’s people is to become more like Christ by continuously removing the old and putting on the new daily.

Question of the Day
Here's a question for you to think about and apply:
Since you began your journey with Christ, what habits, thoughts, and behaviors have you put off to take on more of Christ? Praise God for the change He has brought into your life.