Category Archives: Old Self

Bible, Boasting, Flesh, Jesus, Old Self, Scripture

REASON TO BOAST

PHILIPPIANS 3:4

“although I myself could boast as having confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he is confident in the flesh, I have more reason:”

I have my wife, two children, two in-laws, and five beautiful grandchildren. I have reason to boast. Three grandchildren came instantly when my son married his wife who had three children from a previous marriage. Then they had a daughter together. My daughter had a son about a year ago. Man, I am a proud husband, father, Poppy and Papa. I certainly have reason to boast, don’t I?

In today’s verse, Paul sets up the next two verses where he lists his earthly credentials and reasons for boasting in himself, if he chose to do so. He says, “I have more reason” to boast in himself. Remember, Paul had a religious legacy before coming to Christ. Many of those with similar pedigrees flaunted their status. Even when some of them came to Christ, they still boasted in their privileged position, not understanding how Christ negates all that earthly pride.

APPLICATION

Paul tells us we cannot put our confidence in “the flesh.” What does he mean by that? HELPS Word studies gives this definition of the Greek word, sarx (flesh). “…what is ‘of the flesh (carnal)’ is by definition displeasing to the Lord – even things that seem ‘respectable!’ In short, flesh generally relates to unaided human effort, i.e. decisions (actions) that originate from self or are empowered by self. This is carnal (‘of the flesh’) and proceeds out of the untouched (unchanged) part of us – i.e. what is not transformed by God.”

Did you get all of that? Flesh = bad, God = good. It really is that simple. Now, we are all stuck in this flesh while we live in these mortal bodies, but we do not have to be controlled by the desires of the flesh. My life verse is Galatians 2:20. “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives within me. And the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” My flesh died with Christ on that cross. It needs to stay dead.

We have to choose daily to not boast in our flesh. Sure, we can boast in our families and even in some of our own achievements. But we cannot be lured into the trap of boasting in our flesh and our own abilities. Boast only in Jesus. He has the power to sustain and strengthen you.

Remind me daily, O God, of the stench of my flesh so that I will not allow it to raise its ugly head.

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Bible, Evil, Jesus, Old Self, Scripture

THE OLD SELF

COLOSSIANS 3:9

“Do not lie to one another, since you stripped off the old self with its evil practices,

I am getting older every day. How about you? We all are. There is only one other alternative, right? And as we get older, it gets harder to let go of our old ways. Those habits are so hard to stop. Now, not all those habits are bad. But some… Well, let’s just say they ought to go the way of the dinosaur.

Paul reminds the Colossians (and us) that our old self is gone. We discussed how we have thrown it away. The Greek word for “stripped off” is apekduomai and only occurs here and earlier in Colossians 2:15. In both cases it is in the Middle voice which means you have to choose to do this. It is not done to you. Paul says we have chosen to strip “off the old self with its evil practices.”

APPLICATION

Don’t read that and just go past it. This is important. We have to choose to strip off this old stuff. We cannot walk the straight and narrow while we are carrying around all this baggage. The image of stripping off something is important. I have this picture in my mind of violently tearing it away. It’s not something you do slowly.

Let me give you an example. I recently was told about the conversion of someone who was struggling with their sexuality. They came to a church service, fell under conviction and came forward for salvation. The next Sunday the Pastor noticed this person still dressing in a way that resembled their old lifestyle. He approached them and said, “What are you doing?” They replied, “Well, I thought I would change a little bit at a time.” What?! No! You have to tear it off. You have to strip it away.

What are you wearing from your old self? What are you hanging on to? Let it go – now! It has to go! It does not represent who you are now. Walk afresh. Walk in victory.

O Father, give me the power to strip off all the old stuff and wear Your garments.

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