Sinful Inheritance: Confronting the Old Nature Within

Sinful Inheritance: Confronting the Old Nature Within

Have you ever wondered why certain struggles persist in your life, even after you’ve made a decision to follow Christ? Why do moments of weakness seem to return, and why is it so hard to live out the transformation we’ve been promised? The answer lies deep in the foundational truth of Scripture: the reality of the old sin nature, inherited from the fall of Adam. This nature, often hidden but always at work, is the silent saboteur of our spiritual lives.

Today, let us embark on a journey to uncover the layers of this old nature, not to dwell on its power, but to marvel at the victory that Christ offers over it. Through Scripture, we’ll explore the origin, effects, and tendencies of the old sin nature and discover how, through Christ, we can overcome its grip and step into the freedom He has secured for us.

The Legacy of Adam: The Inheritance We Cannot Escape

Imagine a king who disobeys a direct command and, in doing so, forfeits his entire kingdom. Worse still, his rebellion doesn’t just affect him; it passes down to every generation of his descendants. This is the story of Adam, the first man, whose single act of disobedience introduced sin into the world. Romans 5:12 explains, “Just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.”

Adam’s disobedience did more than introduce sin; it corrupted the very fabric of human nature. Every person born since carries the same flawed nature—a predisposition toward rebellion against God. This inherited sinful nature, described in Ephesians 2:1 as being “dead in trespasses and sins,” means that we are spiritually separated from God from the moment of birth.

But why is this inheritance so universal? Psalm 51:5 gives us the answer: “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.” Sin is not something we learn; it is something we are born into. It is our default condition, a tragic inheritance that perpetuates itself with every new generation. And yet, even in this somber reality, a glimmer of hope emerges: where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more (Romans 5:20).

The Nature of the Beast: Names for the Old Sin Nature

The old sin nature goes by many names in Scripture, each revealing a different facet of its character. Let’s consider a few of these terms and their implications for our lives.

1. The Flesh (Galatians 5:16):
   The “flesh” represents the sinful desires and inclinations that war against the Spirit. It’s the part of us that seeks immediate gratification, even at the expense of righteousness. Paul exhorts us to “walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” The flesh is persistent, but the Spirit is more powerful.

2. The Old Man (Ephesians 4:22):
   This term describes our unregenerate state before knowing Christ. Paul instructs us to “put off the old man,” a call to action that emphasizes the ongoing struggle to shed the habits, thoughts, and behaviors of our sinful past.

3. Carnal (Romans 7:14):
   To be carnal is to be dominated by the sin nature. Paul’s transparency in Romans 7 is both relatable and convicting: “For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.” Even as believers, we wrestle with the pull of carnality, highlighting the need for continual dependence on God.

4. The Heart (Jeremiah 17:9):
   “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked; who can know it?” This vivid imagery underscores the depth of our need for a heart transformed by God. Left unchecked, the old sin nature corrupts our motives, thoughts, and actions.

The Effects of the Old Sin Nature

The old sin nature doesn’t merely influence us; it defines the human condition apart from Christ. Romans 5:12 connects sin to death, both physical and spiritual. At birth, we are alive physically but dead spiritually, separated from God. This spiritual death is the root of humanity’s brokenness—our inability to please God or reconcile ourselves to Him.

Even after salvation, the old sin nature persists. While its power is broken, its presence remains. Paul’s words in 1 John 1:8 remind us, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” This acknowledgment is not an excuse for sin but a recognition of the ongoing battle between the old nature and the new.

The War Within: The Christian’s Struggle

Have you ever felt torn between what you know is right and what your flesh desires? This internal conflict is the hallmark of the Christian life. Romans 7:15 captures this struggle perfectly: “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate, I do.”

This war is evidence of a deeper truth: the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Before Christ, there was no struggle, only submission to sin. But now, the Spirit empowers us to resist the pull of the old nature. Still, the battle is real, and the frustrations are familiar. Paul’s cry, “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?” (Romans 7:24), resonates with anyone who has wrestled with the old nature.

Tendencies of the Old Sin Nature

The old sin nature manifests in two primary ways:

1. Area of Weakness: Lawlessness and Sin
   Every individual has specific vulnerabilities—areas where the old nature exerts the strongest influence. Hebrews 12:1 warns us to “throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.” Identifying these weaknesses is critical to resisting their pull.

2. Area of Strength: Asceticism and Self-Righteousness
   Ironically, the old sin nature can also lead to pride in one’s own morality. Isaiah 64:6 reminds us, “All our righteous acts are like filthy rags.” Self-righteousness is just as dangerous as overt sin, as it shifts our dependence from God’s grace to our own efforts.

The Victory Secured by Christ

While the old sin nature is powerful, it is not invincible. Romans 6:6 declares, “For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.” This truth is both liberating and empowering: through Christ, the old nature’s dominion is broken.

Victory begins with recognizing that our identity is no longer tied to the old nature. We are new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). This transformation doesn’t mean the absence of struggle but the presence of power to overcome.

Practical Steps to Overcome the Old Sin Nature

1. Consider Yourself Dead to Sin (Romans 6:11):
   Reckoning yourself dead to sin is not about denying its presence but denying its power. It is a daily decision to live out the reality of your new identity in Christ.

2. Surrender to God:
   Victory requires surrender—not to sin but to God. As we yield to His authority, the Spirit gains control, guiding us into righteousness.

3. Confess Sin Regularly (1 John 1:9):
   Confession keeps us in right relationship with God. It is an acknowledgment of our dependence on His grace and a commitment to walk in His ways.

4. Walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16):
   Walking in the Spirit is the key to overcoming the flesh. It means living in step with the Spirit’s leading, allowing His power to subdue the old nature.

The Hope of Glory: Freedom in the Resurrection

The ultimate victory over the old sin nature will come when we receive our glorified bodies. Philippians 3:21 promises that Christ “will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.” In that day, the struggle will cease, and we will stand completely free, reflecting the fullness of God’s image.

Until then, we press on, not in our own strength but in the power of the Spirit. The journey is difficult, but the destination is glorious. Let us fix our eyes on Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith, and live as those who have been set free. For where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17).