The "Old Man" is Dead-Don't Resurrect him!


In the NIV translation of the bible, the sinful nature is used to describe the Greek word, "sarx". In actuality the literal translation of that word is the word "flesh". Flesh is described as human nature apart from Gods' influence and direction. So this idea that we still have a sin nature once we are a new creation is a man made idea. The phrase, "We need to die to self" is found nowhere in the bible from Genesis to revelation yet this line of thinking and teaching is common for a host of believers in reference to explaining their current fight with temptation. The old man of sin nature was co crucified with Christ at the cross (see Galatians 2:20, Colossians 3:3 and 9, Romans 6:6 and 14 for starters).
The biggest deception of the enemy is deception. There is nothing new under the sun as he tried the same thing on Jesus in the desert temptation going after His identity. As the first Adam lost his original identity to the deception of satan, don't be hoodwinked into believing you have an old self, "black dog" that spiritually exists. The enemy and his cohorts are simply but methodically trying to convince you that you still carry around that old man nature. The truth spiritually (which is who you really are eternally) is that you are ONE with Christ (Ephesians 2:6, 1 Corinthians 6:17)
You cannot crucify yourself! You were co-crucified with Christ, co buried, and therefore co- resurrected with Him and now seated with Him (I john 4:17, Ephesians 2:6).
The reality of the outward behavior of your physical actions is the result of what and how you believe. What you believe to be true will eventually manifest.
So, Romans 6:10-11 is critical: "For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all, but the life He lives, He lives to God. Likewise, you also reckon yourselves dead to sin (noun), but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Flesh is a way of thinking that produces self effort and dead works. This flesh is activated and increased by focusing on right behavior rather than right believing. If you begin to believe right, your behavior has no chance but to start manifesting the fruits of the Spirit instead of the works of the flesh.
Any type of religion including works based Christianity will "prod", "poke",  and activate the works of the flesh and not the fruit of the Spirit. Be led by the Spirit and you will see the kingdom of heaven manifest in the earth like never before.
Let that old man stay in the grave! The life of Christ Jesus is in you and He is the hope of manifesting the Glory of God in the earth......

Blessings.......Brad