Bible Reading: Ephesians 4:22-24
Self-actualization or self-fulfillment is a New Age idea that refers to tapping into your own inner power. Self-actualization says that we each need to work to make our inner self
reach its fullest potential. That sounds good, doesn’t it?
That depends on which “self” you are empowering, which “self” you are trying to fulfill.
The Bible tells us that we have two selves. The first is the “old self.” Our old self is the person that we were before we accepted Jesus. Our old self puts itself before others and lives by such mottoes as, “Me first,” “Look out for #1,” “I have my rights,” “You can’t tell me how to live my life,” and “I’ll decide what’s best for me.”
The second self the Bible talks about is the “new self.” Ephesians 2:22-24 describes it like this: “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” The “new self” is the self that was created in us when the Holy Spirit came to live in our hearts. Our new self aims to be righteous, pure, loving, selfless, patient, kind, and holy like God. Our new self puts God first, others second, and ourselves last.
Are you living to fulfill your old self or the new self you became through faith in Jesus Christ?
“We were therefore buried with him [Jesus Christ] through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life…For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.” Romans 6:4 & 6
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I want my new self to be all it can be for You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.