How to Live Out the New Man
By Capazin Thornton
Out with the old. In with the new.
Last week, while waiting to go in to church service, one of the ushers walked over and started talking to a group of us. We noticed he had colored his hair. He said he got rid of the gray because he was tired of a relative saying he looked like an old man. I said, “Tell your relative your old man was crucified with Christ.” He chuckled.
I began to think some more about the old man. Too many Christians today are looking like the old man has been resurrected. Nasty attitudes are on display throughout the internet and social media. Vile posts that show no respect for authority abound. God’s people use profanity.
It’s time to stop this. These things violate Christ and the whole Body of Christ.
3 Steps to Live Out the New Man
God instructs his new creation people: (1) put off the old man, (2) be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and (3) put on the new man. Eph 4:22-24
Put off the old man
“that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts” ~ Eph 4:22
The old man speaks of our sin-sick, sorry, self-centered nature and life pre Christ. We were out-and-out rebellious against God. Hellions! The flesh ruled. We cursed. We lashed out at people in anger. Selfish, greedy, we pursued deceitful lusts which promised success, happiness, pleasure, power, fame, and fortune. Instead, they brought heartache and pain.
But NOW, in Christ, can’t you see how worn out and useless the old low life really was and is? Like a filthy garment, we must once-and-for-all cast off the corrupt old man and nail him to Christ’s cross.
Be renewed in the spirit of your mind
“And be renewed in the spirit of your mind.” ~ Eph 4:23
To be renewed in the mind is to be spiritually transformed, to take on a new mind.
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” ~ Rom 12:2
A more literal translation puts it this way:
“Stop assuming an outward expression that does not come from within you and is not representative of what you are in your inner being…”
The fact is, one is either dominated by one’s flesh or by God’s Spirit.
If you are a Christian and you allow the flesh to dominate you, you can expect confusion and other evil things to operate in your life.
On the other hand, if you daily renew your mind on God’s Word and allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you into all truth, you will gain a fresh, clear attitude and disposition. You will progressively think, speak, and act in line with God’s Word and the new man.
Put on the new man
“Put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” ~ Eph 4:24
The regenerated inner man is partaker of the divine nature, in whom Christ is being formed. To put on the new man is to conduct yourself in the character befitting your life in union with Christ.
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Do you feel challenged to live out the new man? Please feel free to post your questions or comments.
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Capazin Thornton is a Christian speaker, Bible teacher, and author in Orange County, California.