Day 13: Overcoming the Old Nature

by John Beckett on January 9, 2012

Part 13 from the series 30 Day Guide

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How do I handle tough times and temptations?

Does becoming a follower of Christ exempt you from difficulty? No. We don’t somehow pop into a trouble-free glass bubble when we are born again. I find I still have to battle wrong thoughts and temptations every day.

Our ongoing battle is a nasty carryover from our former life called “the old nature.” Though we received a new nature at conversion, that trouble-causing old nature hangs around, throwing up roadblocks to the Christ-centered life. It’s not easy to disconnect from thoughts and habits that defined us for so long.

But there’s good news! Our old nature was taken to the grave by Jesus when he was crucified. The new nature we received in its place was a fantastic exchange! Our job now is to be aggressive in overcoming that old nature. The Apostle Paul says, “Count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:11 NIV). In other words, walk out what was accomplished when Christ died for you.

Please read Galatians 5: 16, 17. It provides the key. In our new life we are to “walk in the Spirit.” That means you allow the Holy Spirit, now living in you, to shape your thoughts, guide your steps, govern your reactions and correct you when you stray. The old nature is real. But God has made it possible for you to walk in victory.

KEY VERSE: “Take off the old self with its practices…and put on the new self” (Colossians 3:9,10 NIV).

Day 14: Resisting the Devil