Leaving the Flesh Behind and Putting on the New Man: A Guide for New Christians
As a new Christian, you have embarked on a transformative journey, one that calls you to leave behind the ways of the flesh and embrace a new life in Christ. This is not just a change in belief, but a profound reorientation of your entire being. The Bible speaks of this process as putting off the old man and putting on the new man, a theme that runs throughout the New Testament and is central to the Christian experience. In this blog post, we will explore what it means to leave the flesh behind, how to put on the new man, and the practical steps you can take to live out this new identity in Christ.
The Call to Leave the Flesh Behind
In the Bible, the term "flesh" often refers to the sinful nature inherent in all humanity—a nature that is in rebellion against God and inclined toward selfishness, immorality, and idolatry. The Apostle Paul speaks extensively about the flesh in his epistles, particularly in Romans and Galatians. In Romans 8:5-8, Paul contrasts those who live according to the flesh with those who live according to the Spirit:This passage makes it clear that living according to the flesh is incompatible with pleasing God. The flesh is not just a set of behaviors; it is a mindset, a way of thinking and living that is fundamentally opposed to the will of God. As new Christians, you are called to leave this way of life behind, to "crucify the flesh with the affections and lusts" (Galatians 5:24).
Understanding the New Man
If the flesh represents the old, sinful nature, then the new man represents the new nature that you receive when you come to faith in Christ. This new man is not something you can create or achieve on your own; it is a gift from God, made possible through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Paul describes this transformation in 2 Corinthians 5:17:The new man is characterized by a renewed mind and heart, one that desires to please God and live according to His will. This transformation is both instantaneous and ongoing. The moment you put your faith in Christ, you are made new. However, the process of becoming more like Christ—what theologians call sanctification—is a lifelong journey.
The Process of Putting on the New Man
Putting on the new man involves a conscious and daily effort to live according to your new identity in Christ. Paul exhorts believers in Ephesians 4:22-24:This passage highlights three key aspects of putting on the new man:
- Putting Off the Old Man: This involves rejecting the sinful behaviors, thoughts, and attitudes that characterized your life before Christ. It is a decisive break with the past, a refusal to live according to the patterns of this world.
- Renewing Your Mind: Transformation begins in the mind. As a new Christian, you are called to renew your mind by immersing yourself in God's Word, allowing it to shape your thoughts, values, and priorities. Romans 12:2 says, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
- Putting On the New Man: This is about embracing your new identity in Christ and living in a way that reflects His character. The new man is "created in righteousness and true holiness," meaning that your life should be marked by moral integrity, purity, and a sincere desire to please God.
Practical Steps for Living Out the New Man
Living out the new man is not merely a theoretical concept; it requires practical steps and intentionality. Here are some ways you can begin to embody your new identity in Christ:- Daily Prayer and Devotion: Start each day by committing yourself to God in prayer. Ask Him to help you put off the old man and put on the new man. Spend time reading and meditating on the Scriptures, allowing God's Word to renew your mind and guide your actions.
- Engage in Christian Fellowship: Surround yourself with fellow believers who can encourage, challenge, and support you in your walk with Christ. Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us of the importance of community: "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."
- Practice Spiritual Disciplines: Engage in spiritual disciplines such as fasting, scripture memorization, and service to others. These practices help to weaken the flesh and strengthen the new man. Jesus Himself said in Matthew 26:41, "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
- Confession and Repentance: Be quick to confess your sins and repent when you fall short. 1 John 1:9 assures us, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Confession is not just about acknowledging wrongdoing; it is a commitment to turn away from sin and walk in the light.
- Cultivate the Fruit of the Spirit: The fruit of the Spirit, as listed in Galatians 5:22-23, are evidence of the new man at work in your life: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance." These qualities should increasingly characterize your life as you grow in Christ.
- Guard Your Heart and Mind: Be vigilant about what you allow into your mind and heart. The media you consume, the company you keep, and the thoughts you entertain can either strengthen the new man or feed the old man. Proverbs 4:23 advises, "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."
- Serve Others: One of the most powerful ways to put on the new man is by serving others in love. Jesus taught that greatness in the Kingdom of God is found in humble service (Matthew 20:26-28). By serving others, you reflect the character of Christ and put into practice the new life you have received.
- Trust in God's Power: Remember that the ability to put off the old man and put on the new man does not come from your own strength, but from the power of the Holy Spirit. Philippians 4:13 reminds us, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Lean on God's power, not your own, as you seek to live out your new identity in Him.
The Joy and Challenge of the New Life
Putting on the new man is both a joy and a challenge. It is a joy because it is the fulfillment of God's purpose for your life—a purpose that brings true peace, joy, and fulfillment. It is a challenge because it requires ongoing effort, self-denial, and a willingness to be transformed by God. Jesus said in Luke 9:23, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." This daily taking up of the cross is the essence of putting on the new man.As you continue on this journey, take comfort in knowing that you are not alone. God has given you His Holy Spirit to guide, empower, and comfort you. He has also given you the body of Christ—the church—to walk alongside you, encourage you, and hold you accountable. And most importantly, He has given you His Word, which is "a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105).
Conclusion
Leaving the flesh behind and putting on the new man is the core of the Christian life. It is a journey of transformation that begins the moment you put your faith in Christ and continues throughout your life. By putting off the old man, renewing your mind, and putting on the new man, you align yourself with God's will and experience the fullness of life that He desires for you.Remember, this journey is not about perfection, but about progress. As Paul writes in Philippians 3:13-14, "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Press on, dear believer, and may the Lord richly bless you as you walk in newness of life.