Back in 1992, a British sprinter named Derek Redmond lined up to run the 400-meter semifinal in the Olympics. Dude had trained for years. He was one of the top favorites to win. But just a few steps into the race, boom—his hamstring snapped. He dropped to the ground in pain.
Everybody thought it was over.
But then… he got up. Limping. Trying to finish.
And then something crazy happened—his dad ran out onto the track, broke past security, put his arm around him, and helped his son get to the finish line. Derek didn’t win gold. He came in last. But when he crossed that finish line, 65,000 people stood up and gave him a standing ovation.
Why? Because he didn’t quit.
Now, here’s the thing—that’s exactly what the Christian life is supposed to look like. It’s not about being the fastest or strongest. It’s about being faithful. About finishing. About leaning on your Heavenly Father and showing the world who Jesus is as you run.
And that brings us to this message: Quit wearing the old you.
That Old You Doesn’t Fit Anymore
Ephesians 4:17–27 lays it out clear. If you’re in Christ, if you’ve been saved, then it’s time to stop walking like the world. Paul’s saying, “Hey, you’re not that person anymore. So quit acting like it.”
We’re talking about the outward evidence of the abiding life. What people see in us should reflect what Jesus is doing in us. And Paul uses this wardrobe picture—taking off the old you like a nasty, ripped-up robe, and putting on the new you that was created in Christ.
What the Old Life Looked Like
Paul goes in pretty hard in verses 17–19. He says stuff like:
Their minds are empty.
Their hearts are dark.
They’re disconnected from the life God offers.
Their conscience doesn’t even work anymore.
They’re chasing sin and loving it.
In other words, it’s not just that they’re lost—it’s that they’ve chosen to stay that way. And when someone keeps rejecting God over and over, eventually, God lets go. He gives them what they want. That’s Romans 1 in action.
And you know what? That was us before Jesus stepped in. That’s what we were saved from.
But the good news? That’s not the end of the story.
That’s Not You Anymore
Paul turns a corner in verse 20: “But ye have not so learned Christ.”
In other words: “That’s not what following Jesus looks like.”
If you’ve met Jesus, really met Him, then your life should start looking different. Not perfect, not fake—but real change. Not just on Sundays. Not just around church people. Real change that shows up in how you think, how you talk, how you treat people, how you respond when life gets rough.
It’s a heart change that leads to a mind change that leads to a life change.
Time for a Spiritual Wardrobe Change
Paul gives us three simple steps:
Put off the old man – That’s your past self. The habits, the attitudes, the sin that used to define you.
Be renewed in your mind – God changes us from the inside out. It starts in the way we think.
Put on the new man – That’s your new identity in Christ. Clean. Holy. Full of purpose.
It’s not about adding Jesus to your old life. It’s about leaving the old life behind and walking in who you are now.
I used an old robe as an illustration in the message—something worn out, maybe even gross, but for whatever reason, we don’t want to get rid of it. That’s how some of us treat sin. Like it’s a sentimental hoodie we don’t want to throw away.
But listen… it’s time. Quit wearing that thing. It doesn’t fit anymore.
So What Does the New Life Look Like?
Paul doesn’t leave us guessing. He gets really practical in verses 25–27:
Speak the truth – No more lying. The new you is honest, even when it’s hard.
Control your anger – Don’t let it simmer. Don’t carry it into the next day. Handle it.
Don’t give the devil any room – Don’t leave the door cracked. Not even a little.
Every time we reach for that old robe—whether it’s pride, bitterness, dishonesty, lust—we’re giving the enemy a little ground to work with. And he doesn’t need much.
Business As Usual?
There’s a story about churches in London during WWII. After bombings, they’d hang signs outside that said, “Business as usual,” even though the building was half-destroyed.
That’s what too many Christians do. Saved by grace, but still living like nothing has changed.
Just same old habits, same old struggles, same old mindset.
Paul says, “You’re new now. So live like it.”
Time to Clean Out the Closet
So here’s the question: What are you still holding onto?
What’s still hanging in your spiritual closet that needs to be thrown out?
Maybe it’s anger. Or dishonesty. Maybe you’ve been making room for sin instead of making room for Christ. Maybe your life still looks like “business as usual,” and God’s calling you to something deeper.
If you’re saved, then quit wearing the old you. Put on who you are in Christ. Not just for your sake—but so the world can see Jesus in you.
Let them see a difference.
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