What does it mean to put off or put to death the old man Colossians 3:9? When the Apostle Paul wrote about our “old man” being crucified, what did he mean Romans 6:9? And what impact do those words have on a Christian today?
The words put off or put to death means “renouncing” or “putting away.” Paul taught us to put away our old man—our selfish desires. Put to death, the fleshly desires and the sinful way of thinking and acting in this evil world. Think of your old self as dead and you are alive spiritually in Christ.
Our Daily Battle
When we were born again, a battle began. It’s a battle within everyone who has received the Holy Spirit Romans 8:6-7. The battle begun and will continue until we are called home. It’s a battle is between your flesh(old man) and your new born again spirit man Romans 8:13. The born again man is a new creation, a Spirit-empowered, sin-hating, persevering, Christ-treasuring, new being in Christ. The outcome of eternal life is guaranteed, but the battle is real and raging for many. To the victorious will be rewards and crowns no man has ever imagined. Others will have eternal loss but still have eternal life.
Paul wrote often about dying to sin (Romans 6:11), dying to the flesh (Romans 8:13; Galatians 5:24), and dying to self (Galatians 2:20). He lived what he preached and urged all believers everywhere to imitate him as he imitated Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1; 4:16). Paul refused to be distracted or consumed by earthly interests. Not even death scared him, so he was not frightened away from obeying Jesus. Paul lived the life of Christ and we must follow the pattern.
False Teaching of Today
Some believe that once we repent and are born again, there is no need to repent of sins because Jesus Christ’s blood has already forgiven and justified us. But, Apostle John says anyone who says they don’t sin is a liar 1 John 1:8. John tells us that if we confess our sin, God is faithful to cleanse us from the filth and separation that sin always leaves behind 1 John 1:8-10.
Put to death the “old man”- Repentant Frame of Mind.
Paul used the phrase “put off the old man” to describe the need to be in a repentant attitude and to be vigilant against sin. Our calling is a call to holiness. To have victory over sin, to walk in the Spirit of God is a matter of what you think and believe; it’s a mindset. As long as we are in these bodies Christians are subject to sin. Even if it is only sin in our thoughts, it must be knocked down and replaced James 1:14-15.
Believers should always be putting to death our old man, the old nature with its inclinations; this is the repentant frame of mind. Putting to death the deeds of our flesh is essential to our spiritual maturity and God’s sanctification process for Christians. We crucify the old man by putting to death the old ways and put on the new man with its new spirit mindedness Colossians 3:10, Romans 8:5.
Change The Way You Think
We replace the old man as we grow in the knowledge of Christ. Kill the deeds of the old man with the knowledge of Christ, producing fruit and works that please God. Put on the new man created in the image of Jesus Christ.
In the book of Ephesians, Paul spoke about the subject of “the old man.” “But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:20-24). In Colossians 3:2-3 Paul wrote: “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Although we are physically here on earth, our thoughts are on heavenly things and the love of God for us and our love for Him.
Grow in Knowledge of Truth and Put on the New Man
In Ephesians 4:22-32 Paul explained how we are to put off the old man by telling us to go in the opposite direction from what we have done. Change your thinking and you will change what you do and say. Paul says renew your mind with the knowledge of the truth of Jesus Christ Romans 12:2. This is a description of what true repentance is; “put off your old self, your former way of life which is corrupt through its deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds”. Until believers go home, our life here is one of changing their minds about the ways of the world, which is repentance.
Be Dead to the Old Way
Sin, the flesh, and this world will continually tempt us at every turn, trying to gain our attention and even demand we participate. But when we consider ourselves crucified with Christ, we can reject those temptations and respond in the Spirit of God.
A dead man has no personal agendas or rights. The dead are not tempted to sin because he is dead to everything around him. “You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world” (Colossians 2:20). We no longer have to be subject to the way of the world Romans 12:2. It is by truth and seeking righteousness that we renew the mind. The Bible is that source of truth (Proverbs 2:6; 2 Timothy 3:16–17). As we renew our mind in the truth of God, we become equipped to put off the old man, put on the new man, and “live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (Ephesians 4:1).