Man has always looked for a solution to almost anything, but do you know that man has no solution to overcoming the old self? He is clueless about it because the effect of the old man started with the first man – Adam. That is why every man born of a woman after Adam was born in sin.
Romans 5:12 – \”Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:\”
Adam\’s offence made him a sinner, and everyone that comes through his bloodline is automatically born a sinner; unfortunately, we all are Adam\’s fruits and filled with his old nature. \”A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit\” (Matthew 7:18).
The old self is about the evil desires, evil thoughts and the evil imaginations of man. To describe our old nature, Gen. 6:5 says, \”And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.\”
The old man is CORRUPT, DEPLORABLE, DETESTABLE and condemned to ETERNAL DEATH. However, it was in this state that Jesus came to save you and I – oh, what a sacrifice.
\”For as by one man\’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one (Jesus Christ) shall many be made righteous and be saved \” (Romans 5:19). We need to accept the salvation Jesus brought by putting off our Adamic life (old man) and take up the life of Jesus. Colossians 3:9-10 \”Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:\”
The question now is, how do we put off the old man?
- The starting point is our thoughts and imaginations.
We need to get our mind on God\’s word. 2Cor. 10:4-5 – \”(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;\”
If the devil can get hold of your thoughts and imaginations, he can get hold of your life. This is why the word is very important in renewing our minds. Psalms 1:2 – \”But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and IN HIS LAW DOTH HE meditates DAY AND NIGHT.\”
You can only do what He says you can do, have what he says you can have, be where he says you can be, only when you know what His word says.
- Prayer
Prayer brings what you know (in your spirit) to reality. Jesus is the perfect example. He prayed to the point that the old self has no power over him.
Hebrews 4:15 – \”For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.\”
Brethren pray without ceasing, pray earnestly, pray continually, keep Praying.
THE OLD MAN HAS BEEN CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST ON THE CALVARY BUT WE ALL HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO ENFORCE OUR VICTORY OVER IT BY TAKING UP THE LIFE OF CHRIST