The classic movie “Sandlot” tells the story of a group of neighborhood boys and their escapades as a baseball team. They practiced and played at the sandlot, thus the title. Funny and memorable, one of the lines of the movie is “baseball was life.” I can relate to that, having played baseball through college. At times it was life. And like life, I had my ups and downs on the field.
One season I began to struggle with my throw from shortstop to first base. My natural inclination was to try harder. But the harder I tried, the worse things got. So much so that my coach moved me to the outfield for the season. It was hard, to say the least, and embarrassing. At times I thought about giving up the game! But slowly I began to realize that the solution — the answer — was not more practice or trying harder but my mindset. Where my thoughts were and how I approached the game made all the difference.
The same is true in the Christian life when faced with a sin that is getting the best of us. Sometimes we just try harder. More Bible reading, prayer, podcasts, you name it. But instead of getting better, it stays the same or worse. We wonder what is wrong with us. Then we redouble our efforts, only to feel defeated and maybe even want to give up trying. What do we do?
The apostle Paul, in Ephesians 4, reminds us it’s not an effort issue at first but a mindset. After giving us the glories of the gospel in the first three chapters (which is key to know!), he begins to flesh it out for our lives as believers in chapters 4-6. Chapter 4 verse 1 begins with “Walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.” True followers of Christ desire to walk like Jesus. However, a troubling sin interrupts, discourages and causes us to lose sight of our calling.
Later in chapter 4, Paul addresses this issue by reminding us of our mindset. In verses 20–24, he gives us four ways to change our mindset and thus find substantial victory in battling our besetting sins.
Remember
First, he tells us to remember the way of Christ in verses 20–21. “But that is not the way you learned Christ! — assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus.” A habitual sin often starts with a lie. The lie of promising life. In reality it only leads to a prison. Here we’re told to remember the truth of the way you learned Christ. Remember the truth of Jesus. That’s the gospel! Following Jesus in true faith sets us free from the power of sin, death and hell. As Jesus said, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). Preaching the gospel to yourself is where to start. Every day, rehearsing the truth of what Christ has done for you and who you are in Christ are key.
Recognize
Second, Paul tells us that we are to “put off your old self.” He calls it “your former manner of life,” the life you lived before coming to Christ. Some versions call it the “old man” or “former self.” Why do we need to recognize that habitual sin is like our former or old self? Because it “is corrupt through deceitful desires.” Earlier in verse 17, Paul speaks of our old way of life as “the futility of their minds.” Again, it’s addressing a mindset.
A troubling sin is a desire that deceives us into thinking, “This is where life is!” It corrupts our thinking. It deceives us with pleasure. It corrupts feelings. It corrupts emotions. It deceives us to think we can’t live without it! It deceives us into thinking we’ll never overcome it. Recognizing the deceitfulness of a besetting sin’s desire is key. It is a lie from the evil one appealing to your former self. If we don’t recognize this deception, we will continue to fall for the lie the habitual sin offers.
Renewal
Third, to overcome deceitful desires, we must “be renewed in the spirit of your minds.” Here is where mindset comes before trying harder. Trying harder to stop a sin rests on your abilities. Being renewed in the spirit of your mind rests on the work of the Holy Spirit.
A follower of Jesus has the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit allows us to say, “Jesus is Lord” (1 Cor. 12:3). The Holy Spirit is our helper (John 14:26). He pours out the love of Christ into our hearts (Rom. 5:5) and He guards the gospel in our hearts (2 Tim. 1:14). He also brings to our remembrance the truth of the gospel. The truth of who we are in Christ. He is the source of renewal as we focus on the gospel. Renewed by who Jesus is and what Jesus has done on our behalf. Renewal changes our mindset.
Righteousness
Fourth, Paul tells us to “put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” Notice the order: Remember, Recognize, Renewal, then Righteousness. Once we have the right mindset, then we are ready to walk in righteousness. The new self that Christ has brought about in our lives brings transformed living — to walk in a manner worthy of the calling.
Besetting sin has a hard time gaining a foothold in our life when Jesus is the focus. It has a hard time when our identity is grounded in Jesus and not in ourselves. A habitual sin appeals to the old self, whereas Jesus has given us a new self. Putting off the old self and putting on the new self begins with our mindset.
Don’t miss that, after verses 20–24, Paul starts a section with “therefore” and then lists sins to put off and what to put on as a follower of Jesus. Mindset is followed by action. It’s not that effort isn’t required, but our mindset sets the foundation to correctly approach it. And that mindset must be revisited each day to keep a habitual sin at bay.
Mindset change helped save my college baseball career. Did I still have struggles? Yes, but when I did, I knew I had to shift from trying harder to the right mindset. I also began to realize this was a picture of the Christian life. The old self likes to rear its head. Satan likes to tempt. A habitual sin can quickly take hold. And we can easily look to self instead of Jesus. But dealing with it all comes back to our mindset.
— Ken Vickery has been the pastor of Victor Baptist Church, in Greer for more than 20 years. He is a native of Atlanta and a graduate of The Citadel. He received his Master of Divinity from Beeson Divinity School of Samford University. He and his wife, Barbara, have two adult children and several grandchildren. He enjoys time with family, his grandkids, reading, and sports.