THE OLD MAN PART II (4)

Lesson Four – Reformation or Restoration?

The Bible teaches clearly that the natural man is a slave to sin. Thus, we as humans have a natural inclination to behave a certain way, and that way leads to death. The question raised in the last lesson is – how do we overcome this condition?

Let’s now consider some of the Apostle Paul’s teaching on the old man, the deeds of the body and the carnal mind. There are two aspects of the condition we find ourselves in; our will coming under the influence of lusts of the flesh (body), and our old man (the carnal mind) resisting submission to the spirit’s lead. Both are governed by a law. Paul explains:

“Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin” (Rom. 6:12)

“For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness,” (Rom. 6:19)

“I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.” (Rom. 7:21-23)

While the “old man” represents the sum total of everything inherited from Adam, we sin because the old man loves to sin and is under its power. In the above verses the Apostle recognizes that it is his body where this law abides, and it is the body that is subject to slavery. Paul knows through the law of God what is right; what is wrong and therefore what pleases Him, but the law of the flesh still reigns. Since the old man delights in sin, he condones sin and bends to it, instigating the body to sin.

Some questions we may raise here are: Can this body of sin be reformed? Can our will take control and suppress these desires to an acceptable standard? Does our obedience to God’s law free us from slavery to our own desires, or does being a regular church-goer liberate us from this condition?

There is however the other aspect of the operation of the soul and that is “self”. The behavior of self may not be defined as sin, in fact the behavior may be very noble and respectful. It is imperative we distinguish between sin and self. Sin is what defiles, is against God and it totally wicked; self may not necessarily be so. We saw in an earlier section that it was Adam’s disobedience to God’s will that led to confusion, he no longer could distinguish between the things of God and his own inclinations. The original order established at creation had the soul subject to the spirit’s rule. The soul works according to its master. Prior to man’s fall it committed its power to the spirit’s direction; but after the fall it responded completely to sin’s coercion. Because man turned into a fleshly being this sin which afterwards reigned in the body became man’s nature enslaving the soul and the life of man and compelling him to walk after sin. In this way sin became man’s nature while soul became man’s life.

It is this life of the soul that is most difficult. While the outward expression of sin may be easily recognized, a person may be unaware of self’s domination and how to discern who the real master is. For this condition there is no place for reformation. God’s Holy Word however provides the answer and gives instruction on what we need to do to restore the original order, and return God to the throne of one’s life.