God bless you the wonderful name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in whose steps we are to walk (I Peter 2:21).
Ephesians 4:17:
This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
Reading this command in context we find a vivid description of the impotent mind of the unbelieving Gentile. Their understanding is darkened, and they are alienated from the life of God because of their ignorance. Their blindness of their heart renders them unable to function properly or to even feel the same way as the children of God (Ephesians 4:18-19; Romans 1:21-32 & II Corinthians 4:3-4).
Reading on we find the believer is instructed to cast aside the “old man” and to “put on the new man” (Ephesians 4:20-24). What a beautiful picture of a powerful reality which allows the believer to fulfill the previous command to walk not as other gentiles walk. We are no longer corrupted by the deceitful lusts. Rather we are renewed in the spirit of our mind because we have “learned Christ” and “been taught by him.” We are to now walk as Jesus did.
I John 2:6:
He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
We are responsible to wear the new man like a garment. It was specifically created for us in righteousness and true holiness. We have the awesome privilege to put on this amazing garment. It is not only visible, but designed to show, exhibit, demonstrate, and make manifest the spiritual difference between the unbelieving Gentiles and the saints of God.
Continuing to read the context we find 17 commands in Ephesians 4:25–5:7 covering different aspects of the Christian walk. They certainly relate to a lifestyle declaring the truth of the gospel giving further contrast between the unbelieving Gentile and the saint.
In one of the visions of Zechariah, Joshua the high priest is shown standing before the angel of the Lord clothed in filthy garments. Satan was also there trying to resist everything Joshua was doing. The Lord rebuked Satan, calling Joshua “a brand plucked out of the fire” (Zechariah 3:1-3).
In Zechariah 3:4 & 5 we find a beautiful picture prophetic of what God does for us when we are born again. The Lord commands the angels to “take away the filthy garments” because, He says, “I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.” The instructions are followed and Joshua receives a fair mitre upon his head and new garments.”
What Zechariah is shown about the high-priest Joshua is a promise of a close working relationship with the Creator Himself—judging His house, having charge of His courts, and being given places to walk. Certainly, when we put on our new man, created in righteous and true holiness we will also find places to walk among heaven’s holiest.
Zechariah 3:7:
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.
How do you picture your garments? Do you see royal apparel (I Peter 2:9)? Roman armor (Ephesians 6:13-17)? Armor of light (Romans 13:5 & Matthew 17:2)? Ambassador clothing (II Corinthians 5:20)? I guess the real question should be, “How do you want others to picture them?”