We all love an extreme makeover. Whether it is a homeless man getting a shave, haircut, and new suit, or a home makeover with walls being torn down and a well-thought-out open-concept design coming to life. We love the idea of the before and after; what was old, dirty, and unappealing has now become new, clean, and beautiful. It's ingrained in our psyche to be drawn to what could be hiding beneath the grime and dirt and what could be made new. Paul refers to this idea in verse 24 as putting on a new self; a self that is more like Christ and new in every way. While we think of a makeover as a physical change that happens on the outside, the true meaning of change happens on a much deeper level from the inside out. This is the type of transformational change that each of us should seek above all else; change from the inside out instead of the outside in. In the old self, one thing that all unregenerative man has in common is the futility of our thinking. The thought is not that unchristian minds are empty, it is that they are filled with things that lead to nothing of real value. Those who have not yet been transformed by Christ think in a way that is darkened by the sinful human flesh. In this way, people have given themselves over to sensuality, indulgence, and impurity to the point that even their normal thinking and the attitude of their mind have become useless because it is grounded in only selfish thoughts. This futile way of thinking eventually leads to a hardening of the heart and a further separation between God and man. We see this all the way back in Genesis 6:5 when the text tells us that, "every inclination of the thoughts of their minds was only evil all the time." There is an interesting word in the middle of verse 19 that is translated as sensuality or licentiousness. It describes the point when humans become so darkened in their minds that they give themselves over to sensuality. This is the Greek word "Aselgeia" and carries with it the idea that man has become so entrenched in the pursuit of what feels right over what is right, that they throw off all restraint, wisdom, and better judgment, and instead flaunt their sin to the point there is no longer any shame, guilt or fear in it. This person has sadly reached a point where there is no longer hiding of sin, and they no longer care who sees as long as they can gratify their own desires. What is even more disheartening is when one person's overt sensuality becomes dozens and soon an entire society and culture is thrust into flaunting their sin for all to see. You can be assured, as history has shown, even regarding Rome itself, that destruction and downfall are never far behind.

As followers of Christ, we have been taught to throw off that old corrupt self and to be made new in the attitude of our minds, so that we will be more like Christ by walking in a state of holiness and righteousness. This carries with it the same idea or picture as putting on a new set of clothes. The idea is to “change into” a different kind of conduct and way of thinking, not to simply put the new clothes on over the old. So often, even those who call themselves Christians continue to wear their old clothes. Think of a prisoner who is released from prison, but still wears his prison clothes and acts like a prisoner and not as a free man. The first thing to emphatically tell that person is that they should take off what is old and dirty and put on some new clothes. Just like putting on different clothes will change the way you think about and see yourself, putting on a different conduct will start to change your attitude, words, and actions. This means that we shouldn’t wait to feel like the new man before we put on the new man. Fundamentally, Paul says that for the Christian, there must be a break with the past. Jesus isn’t merely added to our old life; the old life dies and Christ becomes our new life. Our Christian life at this point must go beyond mere head knowledge (though it must include head knowledge) and move to influence our whole manner of thinking and being. This is not just in the sense of knowing facts, but the ability to set our minds on the right things and live out those right things no matter what society or culture tells or pressures us to. It's not easy, but those who are in Christ don't have to go it alone. A helper and advocate have been promised to you in this spiritual makeover, which means there is also an addition of spiritual power, boldness, and spirit leading to help you on your new journey.