The Search for Significance

The Search Concluded 167
"...In reference to your former manner
of life, you lay aside the old self, which
is being corrupted in accordance with the
lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed
in the spirit of your mind, and put on the
new self, which in the likeness of God has
been created in righteousness and holiness
of the truth"
(Ephesians 4:22-24).
In this passage, Paul explains that Christians
have two natures which he calls "the old self" and
"the new self." What exactly is the old self that
must be laid aside? The old self is the sinful,
fallen nature we possess as descendants of Adam.
We know from Scripture that the old self is corrupted
by the lusts of deceit (Ephesians 4:22), is
involved in evil practices such as lying, slander,
abusive speech, idolatry, wrath, malice, immorality,
impurity, passion, evil desire and greed
(Colossians 3:8,9), and is a body of sin (Romans
6:6).
In contrast, the new self is
the nature given to
us by God when we trust Christ as our Savior.
This nature bears the characteristics of Christ.
has been created "in the likeness of God in righteousness
and holiness" (Ephesians 4:24), and is
strengthened according to God's power (Ephesians
3:16). The new self is a reality for all individuals
born of the Spirit.
As we know, man lost his ability to reflect the
image of God after the Fall. Now, through faith
in Jesus Christ, we are released from the domination
of the natural man and able to put on the
new self and bear His image. Although we are
free from sin's absolute domination, we are not
free from the influence of the old nature. Until
we die and leave our physical bodies behind and
live with Christ, the new self will continually war
against the old self. Our spiritual desires will bat-
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