DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
OCTOBER 31, 2026
READ: Ephesians 4 (Focus vs. 20-24)
MEMORY VERSE
“Put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” Colossians 3:10
BACKGROUND
In ancient Greece, actors on stage would portray the emotions of their characters by wearing masks that either expressed tragedy or comedy. Masks also allowed the same actor to play multiple roles in the same production.
They weren’t permanent, nor were they representative of the real person. Put on for the performance, the facial disguises were taken off when the production was over.
In Colossians 3:10, Paul writes to believers in Jesus to encourage them to “put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”
Rather than a temporary mask worn to entertain people, it should be displayed as a permanent part of life that will be seen each day. The apostle says to “put off your old self” (Ephesians 4:22)—the sinful life we lived before receiving salvation in Christ.
Taking off our old habits and putting on a new self doesn’t just happen naturally. Paul says we need “to be made new in the attitude of [our] minds” (v. 23). This starts with how we think—recognizing that as believers we’re “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (v. 24).
The actors in Greece were paid to put on fake faces. Today, by God’s grace, let’s put on the true image of Jesus so the world knows that He’s living within us.
Brent Hackett
INSIGHT
In view of what God did through Jesus in choosing, redeeming, and predestining believers in Him to be His children (Ephesians 1:3-14), Paul instructs believers to “to live a life worthy of [His] calling” (4:1).
We’re to “no longer live” the ungodly lives of our past (v. 17), for we’ve been given a new life (vv. 22-24). The New Living Translation puts it this way: “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Our new person is “created to be like God”—truly righteous and holy (Ephesians 4:24).
We’re to “put to death . . . whatever belongs to [our] earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed” (Colossians 3:5) and to rid ourselves of “anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language” (v. 8).
As we “clothe [ourselves] with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (v. 12), God will help us live an authentic, Christlike life before others.
Brent Hackett
APPLICATION
What are some ways you wear a mask that reflects your old life? How can you “put on” Jesus each day?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“The actors in (ancient) Greece were paid to put on fake faces. Today, by God’s grace, (we can) put on the true image of Jesus so the world knows that He’s living within us.” Brent Hackett
PR’s TAKE
“As we “clothe [ourselves] with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience”, God will help us live an authentic, Christlike life before others.” Brent Hackett
“Taking off our old habits and putting on a new self doesn’t just happen naturally. Paul says we need “to be made new in the attitude of [our] minds”…. This starts with how we think—recognizing that as believers we’re “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness”” Brent Hackett
PRAYER
“I pray, dear Jesus, that my life may be a true representation of who You are. Please help me be real each and every day for You.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
To be like Jesus, To be like Jesus.
All I ask, to be like Him.
All thru life’s journey from earth to glory,
All I ask, to be like Him.
To love like Jesus, to love like Jesus.
All I ask, to love like Him.
All thru life’s journey from earth to glory,
All I ask, to love like Him.
To pray like Jesus, to pray like Jesus.
All I ask, to pray like Him.
All thru life’s journey from earth to glory,
All I ask, to pray like Him.
To serve like Jesus, to serve like Jesus.
All I ask, to serve like Him.
All thru life’s journey from earth to glory,
All I ask, to serve like Him.
