22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts
concerning your former conduct [behavior],
Ephesian Christians lived in rank corruption as their way of life before becoming believers. Their “former conduct” was their proclivities before becoming Christians. “Conduct” is manner of life.
Christians did not just put off particular vices but the whole old person dominated by sin when they became Christians.
PRINCIPLE:
When we became believers, we put off the entire old man.
APPLICATION:
When we became Christians, we put off the whole old person positionally. It is the whole of our non-Christian life.
That does not mean that we lost our sin nature. The believer does have two natures that manifest different qualities. This issue is not dealt with in our passage. Our old nature is a carryover from our unregenerate life. These non-Christian characteristics cause the Christian to struggle spiritually (Ga 5:16-17).
