The Transformation of the Believer in Christ
Scripture Foundation: Colossians 3:5–10; Galatians 5:24; Romans 6:6–14; Romans 7:5; Ephesians 4:22–25; and Romans 12:1–2
Introduction: The Flesh Must Be Crucified, and the Old Man Must Be Put Away
The apostle Paul reveals that those who belong to Jesus Christ have been called out of the former life of sin and brought into a new life through the Spirit of God. This transformation is not merely an outward change in religious conduct. It involves the desires of the heart, the thoughts of the mind, the words of the mouth, and the actions of the body.
In Colossians 3:5, Paul identifies five sinful practices and desires that must be put to death: fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
He then continues by commanding believers to put away anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication, and lying.
These commands reveal that the Christian life involves both the crucifixion of sinful desires and the rejection of the conduct that proceeds from them.
Galatians 5:24 declares:
"And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." (KJV)
To crucify the flesh is to renounce its authority over our lives. It does not mean that the physical body must be injured or destroyed. Rather, the sinful passions and desires that once governed us must no longer be permitted to rule.
Jesus Christ has accomplished redemption through His death upon the cross. Those who belong to Him must now live according to the new life they have received.
Covetousness: When Greed Becomes Idolatry
Colossians 3:5
"Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry."
The fifth sin identified by Paul is covetousness.
The Greek word pleonexia (πλεονεξία) refers to greed, an excessive desire to possess more, or the determination to gain what belongs to another.
Covetousness can manifest itself through dishonest gain, fraud, extortion, exploitation, and other practices motivated by greed.
However, covetousness is not limited to the unlawful acquisition of possessions. It also concerns the inward desire that places earthly gain above obedience to God.
A person may never steal anything and yet possess a heart governed by covetousness.
Paul identifies covetousness as idolatry because the object of a person's desire can become the object of that person's devotion.
When possessions, wealth, influence, or personal ambition occupy the place that belongs to God, the heart has turned toward an idol.
Jesus declared in Luke 12:15:
"Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth."
The believer must therefore examine not only what she possesses, but also what possesses her heart.
Idolatry Is More Than Bowing Before an Image
The Greek word translated idolatry is eidōlolatreia (εἰδωλολατρεία), formed from words associated with an image or idol and religious service or worship.
In Scripture, idolatry includes the worship of false gods and images.
Exodus 20:3–5 forbids Israel from having other gods and from bowing down to carved images.
Yet Paul reveals that idolatry may also exist within the desires of the heart.
A person does not have to kneel before a physical image to make something an idol.
Whatever becomes the supreme object of one's devotion, displacing obedience and worship owed to God, may function as an idol.
This is why covetousness is so dangerous.
It can appear as ambition, success, or the pursuit of prosperity while secretly governing the heart through greed.
The woman who belongs to Christ must understand that her security is not established through earthly possessions. Her inheritance is found in Jesus Christ.
They That Are Christ's Have Crucified the Flesh
Galatians 5:24
"And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts."
The Greek word translated crucified is related to stauroō, meaning to crucify or fasten to a cross.
In Galatians 5:24, Paul uses crucifixion to describe the believer's decisive rejection of the sinful passions and desires associated with the flesh.
The expression does not mean that believers repeat the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
His sacrifice was accomplished once for all.
Hebrews 10:10 declares:
"By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."
The crucifixion of the flesh is not an additional sacrifice for sin.
It is the spiritual consequence of belonging to the One who was crucified.
When a person comes to Christ, the former life under sin's dominion is no longer to govern that person.
Romans 6:6 declares:
"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."
Notice the purpose: that henceforth we should not serve sin.
The old man was crucified with Christ so that the believer might be delivered from the former mastery of sin.
Yet the believer must continue walking according to the Spirit rather than surrendering to the desires of the flesh.
What Does It Mean to Put Off the Old Man?
Ephesians 4:22–24
"That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
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."
The expression put off conveys the idea of laying aside or removing something, as a person removes an old garment.
Paul uses this imagery to describe the rejection of the former manner of life.
The old man is associated with deceitful lusts and corruption.
The new man is associated with righteousness, holiness, and the renewing of the mind.
This transformation must become evident in the believer's conduct.
A person cannot claim to have put off the old man while deliberately continuing to practice the works that belong to him.
The new life in Christ must produce a change in the way we think, speak, and behave.
Put Off Anger and Wrath
Colossians 3:8
Paul declares:
"But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth."
The command to put off means to lay aside or cast away the conduct that belongs to the old man.
The first two things Paul identifies are anger and wrath.
Anger comes from the Greek orgē, describing anger or indignation. In this context, it concerns sinful anger that is allowed to govern the heart.
Wrath comes from thymos, often describing an intense outburst of anger or rage.
Although the words are related, they emphasize different expressions of anger.
Anger may be harbored inwardly, while wrath may erupt through speech or action.
Ephesians 4:26–27 declares:
"Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil."
Not every experience of anger is itself sinful. However, anger becomes dangerous when it is allowed to produce bitterness, hatred, revenge, or unrighteous conduct.
The woman who belongs to Christ must not permit anger to become the governing influence over her words and decisions.
Her emotions must be brought into obedience to the Spirit of God.
Malice: The Evil That Is Harbored in the Heart
The Greek word translated malice is kakia, meaning wickedness, evil, or ill will.
Malice describes a disposition that desires or intends harm toward another person.
It may remain hidden beneath outward politeness while influencing a person's thoughts, conversations, and actions.
A person may claim to have forgiven someone while continuing to entertain resentment and a desire for revenge.
Such inward hostility is contrary to the life of Christ.
First Peter 2:1 declares:
"Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings."
The believer must not merely restrain malicious actions while continuing to nourish malicious thoughts.
The heart itself must be transformed.
Blasphemy: Speech That Dishonors God or Injures Others
The Greek word blasphēmia refers to slander, abusive speech, or blasphemy.
When directed against God, it describes speech that dishonors His name or character.
When directed against another person, it may describe slanderous or insulting speech.
In Colossians 3:8, the surrounding context concerns sinful conduct and speech that believers must put away.
Therefore, the command includes the rejection of destructive and abusive language.
James 3:9–10 warns against using the same tongue to bless God and curse people who are made in His likeness.
The believer cannot separate devotion to God from the way she speaks about others.
Her words must reflect the righteousness of the One to whom she belongs.
Filthy Communication: The Corruption of the Tongue
The expression filthy communication refers to shameful, obscene, or abusive speech.
Paul commands believers to remove such communication from their mouths.
Ephesians 4:29 declares:
"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers."
The tongue can become an instrument of righteousness or unrighteousness.
Words may strengthen, comfort, instruct, and encourage.
But words may also deceive, humiliate, corrupt, and destroy.
A woman who walks in the Spirit must recognize that spiritual maturity is revealed not only through what she refuses to do with her body, but also through what she refuses to speak with her mouth.
The Lord is concerned with both the inward condition of the heart and the outward expression of the tongue.
Lie Not One to Another
Colossians 3:9–10
"Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."
Lying belongs to the conduct of the old man.
A lie may be spoken to escape responsibility, gain an advantage, conceal wrongdoing, or manipulate another person.
But those who belong to Jesus Christ are called to walk in truth.
Ephesians 4:25 declares:
"Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another."
Truthfulness is essential to the new life in Christ.
The believer must not use deception as an instrument of self-protection or personal advancement.
The old man is associated with deceit.
The new man is renewed according to the image of the Creator.
This renewal must become evident in the believer's speech, conduct, and relationships.
The Difference Between the Works of the Flesh and the Fruit of the Spirit
The works of the flesh reveal what proceeds from sinful human desires.
The fruit of the Spirit reveals what the Holy Spirit produces in those who walk according to His direction.
Galatians 5:22–23 identifies the fruit of the Spirit as love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.
Where the flesh produces hatred, the Spirit produces love.
Where the flesh produces uncontrolled anger, the Spirit produces patience and self-control.
Where the flesh produces deceit, the Spirit leads believers into truth.
The Christian life is therefore not simply the removal of sinful practices.
It is also the manifestation of the character of Christ through the transforming work of the Holy Spirit.
Personal Application: A Woman Who Has Put Off the Old Man
A woman who belongs to Jesus Christ must understand that her spiritual transformation involves more than outward appearance.
She may dress modestly, attend worship services, study the Scriptures, and participate in ministry, yet still need to confront anger, bitterness, jealousy, malicious speech, and dishonesty.
Paul's instruction reaches beyond what others can see.
It reaches into the desires of the heart.
A woman who has crucified the flesh must not continue surrendering herself to the sinful attitudes and practices that characterized her former life.
She must learn to recognize when greed is influencing her decisions, when anger is controlling her speech, and when resentment is shaping her relationships.
Through the Holy Spirit, she is called to put away those things and walk in righteousness.
Her spiritual maturity is revealed through the character of Christ becoming evident in her daily life.
Conclusion: The Old Man Must No Longer Govern the New Life
The apostle Paul reveals that believers have crucified the flesh with its affections and lusts.
He also commands them to put away the conduct associated with the old man.
Covetousness, anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication, and lying must no longer govern those who belong to Jesus Christ.
The cross has broken the former dominion of sin, and the Holy Spirit empowers believers to walk in newness of life.
We have not been called merely to change our outward behavior. We have been called to put off the old man and put on the new man, who is renewed in knowledge after the image of the One who created him.
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