Learn Christ – Ephesians 4:20-24

Key Texts: Ephesians 4:20–24, Hebrews 1:3, Exodus 34:6–7

The Two Ways of “Learning” Christ

Church, right here in Ephesians 4:20-24 the Apostle Paul draws a line in the sand that cannot be erased. There are only two ways to approach the Lord Jesus Christ. One is the pagan way—the natural man’s way, the way of the world that lies in the power of the evil one. The other is the way of those who have truly heard Him and been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus. These two paths cannot be mixed. They cannot be blended. One leads to increasing corruption according to the lusts of deceit. The other leads to righteousness and holiness of the truth. There is no neutral ground. Modern pagans—even many who call themselves Christians—do not learn Christ according to the Scriptures. They reduce the eternal Son of God to something manageable, controllable, explainable by human reason and human effort. They hate the idea of free grace that could save a serial killer in a moment. They prefer a Christ without full divinity, without bodily resurrection, without a finished atonement. Just like the chief priests bribing the soldiers to lie about the empty tomb, they want a dead Christ they can explain away.

Look at Rome with its purgatory, Islam denying the cross, Hinduism with its endless cycles of karma—always the same pagan instinct: fix the problem by natural processes, time, suffering, or good works. Even in evangelical circles you hear it—add your works, chase emotional experiences, endure doubt until you feel worthy. That is the old pagan way dressed up in Christian clothes. But the Spirit speaks and says: “You did not learn Christ in this way!”

The True Way: Hearing Him and Being Taught in Him

If indeed you have heard Him—if the living voice of the Son of God has sounded in your soul through the Scriptures—and if you have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, then the Holy Spirit has done a supernatural work in you. He does not teach by vague “still small voices,” inner impressions, or chasing feelings. That is mysticism gone wrong. The Spirit teaches through the sharp, piercing, hammer-like work of the Word of God driven home to the conscience. He convicts of sin. He produces godly sorrow that leads to repentance. He stirs compassion for the hurting. He empowers us to put sin to death and walk in obedience. And brothers and sisters, this happens especially when you sit under the preaching and teaching of the Word. God has given apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers for this very purpose. Private reading is essential, but the ordinary way the Spirit renews His people is through the public ministry of the church. Do not drift from the assembly. Do not sit under teachers who soften the truth. The Spirit works where the Word is faithfully opened and declared.

Laying Aside the Old Self

In reference to your former manner of life, you must lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted according to the lusts of deceit. This is not self-help. The old man is rotting and stinking. You don’t improve him—you strip him off like filthy clothes. This happens as faithful teachers open the Scriptures and say, “This is sin in your life—bitterness, gossip, laziness, selfish spending, prayerlessness.” Then they show you what righteousness looks like in those same places. Day after day you yield to the Holy Spirit’s holy discomfort until you cannot rest in your sin. I know this personally. When I act petty toward my wife, the Spirit presses the Word on me so hard I cannot breathe easy until I apologize. That inward pressure, that inability to stay comfortable in sin—that is the compunction of the Holy Spirit.

Renewed in the Spirit of Your Mind

You are to be renewed in the spirit of your mind. The old futile, darkened thinking must go. This renewal does not come through emotional highs or new techniques. It comes through the steady, repeated application of Scripture—heard, read, meditated on, and taught week after week. The Spirit takes the promises and commands of God and drives them deep into your soul until you start thinking God’s thoughts after Him. It is slow. It is humbling. But it is how we are transformed. Put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. This new man is not something you manufacture. It is God’s workmanship. As we behold Christ—the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature—the Spirit changes us from one degree of glory to another. We deliberately choose obedience where the old self chose sin. We choose love, truth, and holiness in our marriages, homes, speech, spending, and time. It is often painful and slow work, but this is the very goal of our salvation—to be conformed to the image of Jesus. None of this is possible by your own strength. It all flows from the finished work of Christ. He who upholds the universe by the word of His power made purification for sins and sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. The same blood that secured our pardon now purifies our conscience. The same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead now dwells in us and causes us to walk in His ways. The Gospel that justified you is the same Gospel that is sanctifying you right now.

Conclusion

So hear this apostolic command not as a heavy burden but as the loving voice of your merciful Savior. Lay aside the old self. Be renewed in the spirit of your mind. Put on the new self. Choose this day whom you will serve. Will you keep learning Christ the pagan way—by feelings, effort, and natural explanations? Or will you learn Him as the truth is in Jesus—by the Spirit and the Word, through hearing and teaching, putting off the old and putting on the new? As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. May the Triune God grant us grace to do exactly that—for His glory and for our everlasting joy. Amen.