“Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.” (Colossians 3:5-10)
When we were saved our “old self” was buried in baptism, and God resurrected us to live in newness of life; “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). This newness of life is exponentially better than life in our old sinful habits. Yet many fail to experience the new life Jesus bought for us. They find that their old ways are easy to fall back into, and their newness of life seems to be choked out by their old self. Their saved, yet settle for “worldly Christianity,” which makes it hard to distinguish our lives from those of the world.
God didn’t intend for us to live this way. Living a transformed life is possible and you can become like Jesus. The newness of life starts with killing the old self, repeatedly and faithfully. You don’t have to fight this battle on your own. God, in his wonderful grace, promised to help you through His Spirit; “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you… For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live” (Romans 8:11, 13). He won’t do it for you, but He will join you when you step out in obedience.
There are many actions you can take to kill the old self and put on the new self. Ask God for help and strength to make the right choices. Surrender and commit yourself to Him daily, Arm yourself with the truth from the Word of God to help you discern sin’s lies.
Set your mind on heavenly things; “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory” (Colossians 3:1-4). When we are able to force our mind off the carnal things and on to Jesus Christ, we starve the old self of the evil thoughts it needs to revive. Heavenly thoughts keep the old self in the grave.
These skills will take time to master. You may stumble as you practice them, but if you keep getting back up faithfully, you will have victory! Remember that God’s mercies are new every morning; “Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23). The light of Christ’s love will begin to shine brighter and brighter through you to those around you as you put the old self to death. You’ll begin to experience the riches of the new life in Jesus.
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