Putting Off the Old Nature

Putting Off the Old Nature

Paul, in Colossians 3:5-9, instructs us to “mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth… put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.” The message is simple yet demanding: if you’ve been raised with Christ, then it’s time to kill the habits of your old nature. The word “mortify” means to put to death, this is not a gentle adjustment but a decisive action. The old nature, inherited from Adam, is rooted in sinful desires. Though we are made new in Christ, this old nature tries to reassert itself daily. That’s why Paul says we must deliberately put it off like old, dirty clothing.

This passage isn’t about religious performance; it’s about alignment with your true identity. You are not anger, lust, bitterness, or lies. That’s not who you are anymore. But if you don’t actively resist these old tendencies, they’ll subtly resurface. God calls you to cooperate with His Spirit by cutting off what no longer belongs. Think of your life like a garden, if you don’t uproot weeds, they will choke the good plants. In the same way, if you don’t "put off" the attitudes and actions of your old self, you’ll struggle to bear the fruit of your new life in Christ. This process takes intentionality, daily surrender, and honesty with yourself.

Victory comes through constant renewal. Every time you choose truth over lies, peace over rage, and purity over impurity, you are walking away from your old self and living in your new creation. This is a holy exchange, you lay down what is earthly to take up what is heavenly. Don’t be discouraged by the struggle. God has given you the power to overcome. You are not trying to earn a new identity, you already have it. Now live like it. The more you say “no” to the old, the more you’ll experience the joy and freedom of your new life in Christ.

Word Affirmation: (Psalm 51:10, KJV) "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." (KJV) (Don't just say it, mean it!)

Personalise: I lay down the old me. Christ has made me new, and I live from a clean heart and a renewed spirit.

“Putting off the old self is not losing who you are, it’s losing who you were never meant to be.”

MIND THIS