Colossians put off the old man new man
A great topic!
In Colossians 3:9-10, the apostle Paul writes:
"Put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man, which is being corrupted according to the lusts of deceit, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness."
Here, Paul is urging believers to "put off" or lay aside their old, sinful nature, and to "put on" or clothe themselves with the new, righteous nature that is created in them by God.
The "old man" refers to the sinful, fleshly nature that we were born with, which is characterized by selfishness, pride, and rebellion against God. This nature is "being corrupted" by the lusts of deceit, which are the desires and impulses that lead us away from God and towards sin.
On the other hand, the "new man" refers to the new, spiritual nature that we receive when we become believers in Christ. This nature is "created according to God" and is characterized by true righteousness and holiness. It is a nature that is empowered by the Holy Spirit and is inclined towards obedience to God and love for others.
By "putting off" the old man, we are renouncing our sinful nature and its desires, and by "putting on" the new man, we are embracing our new identity in Christ and seeking to live according to His character and principles.
This is not a one-time event, but rather a process of ongoing transformation and growth. As we walk with God and seek to follow Him, we are continually putting off the old man and putting on the new man, becoming more like Christ and reflecting His character in our lives.
In practical terms, this means:
- Recognizing and repenting of our sinful tendencies and habits
- Seeking to live according to God's Word and principles
- Focusing on our relationship with God and seeking to please Him
- Cultivating virtues such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and self-control
- Seeking to be transformed by the renewing of our minds and the filling of the Holy Spirit
By putting off the old man and putting on the new man, we can experience the transformation and renewal that God desires for us, and we can live a life that is pleasing to Him.