Conquering The "Old Man" Within

Text: Romans 6:6; 7:18-25

The old self enslaves.

The "old man" is the nature of sin inherited from the fall of man. As as dominating tyrant, the "old man" enslaves the will and defiles and mind and conscience.

The unregenerated are under the dominating power of the "old man" and are subject to the life of sin of fornication, adultery, stealing, fighting, hatred, lying, drunkenness, etc. At the point of salvation, outward sins are dealt with. That is, the shoots of the "old man" (outward sins) are destroyed, but the root remains.

Christ can conquer the old self.

After the salvation experience, the presence of the root of the "old man" is noticeable in the life of a believer in various ways. For example, his life is full of internal struggles which hinders him from having a perfect love for God and man. Problems such as self-centeredness, position seeking, carnality and impure thoughts manifest in his relationship with other people.

These activities of the "old man" can only be conquered through another Christian experience known as sanctification. At sanctification, the root of sin is completely destroyed and removed from the heart through a divine operation (Ezekiel 36:26). Thus, the believer s freed from all forms of internal struggles and impurities and his heart filled with supreme love for God (Deuteronomy 30:6).

Our Lord Jesus Christ has already purchased the victory for us through His blood which He shed on the cross at Calvary (Hebrews 13:12). Every believer can have the "old man" totally crushed by praying to God for the sanctification experience. The evidences of sanctification experience are perfect love, right motives, unity, inner victory and freedom, inner and outward holiness. If you desire this glorious experience, consecrate your life to God and pray in faith and the Lord will sanctify you (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

Thank you for reading.

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