You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self …
Summary: The language Paul uses to describe how belief in Jesus changes a person is remarkably similar to a modern psychoanalytic theory known as transactional analysis.
What if our “old self” doesn’t want to be “put off?” Do you ever wonder about that?
When I was in college, I learned about something called “transactional analysis.” The theory had to do with the idea that we each have different “ego states.” The way “ego states” are described is very similar to what Paul is talking about here.
In transactional analysis, the three primary ego states are “parent,” “adult,” and “child.” (This is called the “P-A-C” model.) Paul describes our “ego states” as “self” (implied), “new self,” and “old self.
An “ego state” is like a window in the control room of the mind. There are several windows to look out of, each a different kind and color of glass. The world looks different depending on which window we use. Another way of looking at this is to imagine that our minds are a courtroom. The courtroom contains three people (or voices); the prosecutor, the defender, and the judge. Each has a different view, and each opposes the other.
The point of this is that psychologists and the Bible agree: we can choose the kind of person we want to be. This choice includes who we are going to serve.
Let’s return to the courtroom scenario. You are the judge. You decide how you are going to live your life. Before you, two people are arguing about what your decision should be. One of them argues that there is no God and that if there is, he doesn’t matter. What matters is indulging your body’s desires and cravings. The other one argues that God does exist, he is real, and he is to be feared. He argues that our behavior needs to respect God’s rules. As judge, you get to decide what to do.
As a judge, you have to make a decision. Because you have to decide, you might want to seek counsel from other judges or sources of information. You look outside yourself and talk with other people. Some believe in God, some don’t. You look inside and seek counsel. The quiet voice of the Counselor encourages you to believe in God and fear him. Unfortunately, other spirits counsel differently.
What are you going to do? How will you decide?
You turn to God’s Word and read where Paul tells us to remember what we’ve been taught. “Put off your old self.” Put it away, disregard it, tell it to “Sit down and shut up.” Listen to the voice that wants to fear God. Fear the voice that counsels the short-sighted goal of temporary pleasure.
Application: Read the Bible every day!
Food for Thought: Once you put off your old self, what keeps it from coming back?
Once you put off your old self, what keeps it from coming back?
I like your courtroom example. In my mind it is more of a “legislative hearing.” How will one operate? But instead of laws being written, deferment to Christ is affirmed and reaffirmed. Putting off the old self is more than one deciding “this is how i will do from now on” when it comes to daily decisions. “Im going to do better!” That always fails. Instead, decisions are weighted, argued, and the same path is followed: prayer, scripture, calling on the Great Councillor. It is the best way to keep off the old self. At its core, Christ becomes the center, instead of some rule or promise or lofty idea that cannot stand the test of time.
The old self only knows what “worked” in the past. The new self recognizes that the old self reallly didnt know what it was talking about. So who knows? God knows. Christ knows. The Holy Spirit knows. Keeping the old self from being the ruling majority is to look to the one who knows eternity. One must viewthe matters at hand with spiritual eyes that look to eternity.
Galatians 6:8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.
Thank you, Chris!
You are right about needing to use “spiritual eyes” to see the truth. I also appreciate your point about having to re-litigate our decisions on an ongoing basis. At least it feels like that is what goes on.
07-08-2023, Once you put off your old self, what keeps it from coming back?
Without Christ ruling in our hearts, we are as a dog returning to their vomit, so a fool repeats his folly. Proverbs 26:11
When people come to their new life in Christ, our first instinct is to encourage them to do things. Read the Bible, attend church, be active in the church, become part of a small group, give, be a Christian, when in reality as new believers, we have no idea what that means.
if we are to cope with the ups and downs of our emotions, the whims of circumstances, and the desires of our human brokenness, our first step is to make sure that we know who we are as children of God. As those who have been called and united to the Lord Jesus Christ, only He is the truth and the power to walk humbly, confidently with Him through each day. His power will enable us to reflect on the day that has passed with repentance and faith, and to go to sleep resting in the peace that can only come from God’s forgiveness.
Being spiritually fed with the Bible, the source of truth and stability for each believer is directly dependent on the degree we receive and apply the truths of God to our lives. As we renew the mind in truth, we become equipped to put off the old self, put on the new self, and “live a life worthy of the calling we have received.
Proverbs 2:6, 2 Timothy 3:16–17, Ephesians 4:1
2 Corinthians 5:17, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
Romans 12:1–2 as Paul commands the church in Rome to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Ephesians 4:22-24, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
Thank you, Ron!
You make such a good point! We are not alone. Believing in Jesus is not something we do on our own. It is a relationship that is formed between us and our God. In that relationship, there is power.
Life is soooo much brighter and well defined when we are walking with our Lord rather than separated from Him.
🙂
Amen!