Self + Sin = The Old Man

Learning to live under the lordship of Jesus Christ

Who is leading our lives? What governs our decisions, our words, and our responses when things do not go our way?

These questions bring us to a searching biblical truth: we can profess faith in Jesus while still yielding to habits and desires that belong to our former way of life. Scripture calls us to recognise what Christ has accomplished and to walk in the new life we have received in Him.

The expression “self + sin = the old man” can help us reflect on this, provided we understand what “self” means. God created us with personality, emotions, abilities, and the capacity for relationship. These are not themselves sinful. Here, “self” describes the determination to rule our own lives independently of God—to place our desires above His will.

When self insists on ruling and yields to sin, we see the character of the old way of life.

Understanding the old man

Paul writes:

“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.”
— Ephesians 4:22

The word “conversation” here refers to our conduct or manner of life. The old man describes who we were in Adam, belonging to fallen humanity and living under sin’s dominion.

Its influence can appear in ordinary moments. We insist on having the last word. We justify anger because someone hurt us. We protect our reputation at the expense of truth. We hold on to bitterness because we believe we have the right to remain offended.

Self says, “My will must prevail.” Sin supplies reasons for disobeying God.

Yet sin deceives. It promises satisfaction while deepening bondage. It tells us that pride will protect us, revenge will satisfy us, and independence from God will make us free.

What happened to the old man at the cross?

The Christian life begins with what Jesus has done for us:

“Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.”
— Romans 6:6

Notice the words: “our old man is crucified with him.” Paul grounds our freedom in our union with Christ. Through His death and resurrection, believers have entered a new life in which sin no longer has the right to rule.

This does not mean that temptation disappears or that believers become incapable of sinning. It means that our relationship to sin has changed. We belong to Christ, and we are called to live accordingly.

Paul therefore instructs us:

“Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
— Romans 6:11

To “reckon” this is to count it as true and act upon it. We do not have to obey every sinful impulse simply because we feel it.

Denying self in daily life

Jesus said:

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
— Luke 9:23

Denying ourselves means surrendering our claim to be the highest authority in our lives. We bring our desires, ambitions, and responses under the lordship of Jesus.

This becomes practical when obedience costs us something.

Will I speak truth when dishonesty would benefit me? Will I forgive when resentment feels justified? Will I receive correction when my pride wants to defend itself? Will I obey the Lord when His direction differs from my preference?

Each situation gives us an opportunity to follow Jesus. We learn to say, “Lord, this is what I feel and what I want. Help me to obey Your Word.”

Such surrender is not hatred of the person God created. It is entrusting that person to the One who knows how we were created to live.

Putting on the new man

Paul continues:

“And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
— Ephesians 4:23–24

The new life in Christ has a recognisable character. Truth begins to replace deceit. Humility grows where pride once ruled. Generosity challenges selfishness. Forgiveness takes the place of bitterness.

The surrounding verses in Ephesians make this concrete: speak truth, deal rightly with anger, work honestly, use words that build others up, and show kindness.

Spiritual growth reaches into our homes, our conversations, our work, and our private thoughts. The question becomes, “How can I respond in a way that honours the Lord to whom I belong?”

Walking by the Spirit

We cannot produce a holy life through determination alone. We need the Holy Spirit’s help.

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”
— Galatians 5:16

Walking in the Spirit involves daily dependence on God: receiving His Word, praying honestly, responding to conviction, and obeying what He has made clear.

When He exposes pride, we humble ourselves. When He brings wrongdoing to our attention, we confess it. When obedience seems difficult, we ask for strength and take the next faithful step.

The presence of a struggle does not mean that nothing has changed. Temptation must be resisted, and sinful habits must be put away. As we walk with the Lord, His fruit becomes increasingly evident in our lives.

When we stumble

A believer who falls into sin should come honestly before God.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
— 1 John 1:9

We must take sin seriously without allowing shame to drive us away from the Lord. Confession means agreeing with God about our sin, seeking His forgiveness, and turning from it. Where our actions have harmed others, repentance may also require an apology and practical steps to put things right.

God’s grace gives us both forgiveness and strength to continue walking in obedience.

Who is ruling today?

“Self + sin = the old man” is a useful reminder, though it is not a biblical formula. It directs our attention to the life we have been called to put off.

A fuller expression of the Christian life is found in Paul’s words:

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
— Galatians 2:20

We belong to the Saviour who loved us and gave Himself for us. Because of Him, we can surrender the demand to have our own way and learn to walk in His.

Today, let us bring our hearts before Him and ask: “Lord Jesus, where am I still insisting on ruling? Teach me to yield to You.”

A Prayer

Abba Father, in the name of Jesus,

Thank You for loving me and giving me new life through Your Son. Thank You that, through His death and resurrection, sin no longer has the right to rule over me.

Search my heart and show me where I still place my desires above Your will. Forgive my pride, selfishness, stubbornness, and every attempt to excuse disobedience.

Teach me to deny myself, take up my cross daily, and follow Jesus. Renew my mind through Your Word. By Your Spirit, help me put away the habits of my former life and walk in righteousness and true holiness.

When I am tempted, strengthen me to obey. When I stumble, help me confess honestly and turn back to You. Let my words, choices, and conduct reflect the Lord to whom I belong.

In Jesus’ Almighty Name, Amen.