Once we become a new creation in Christ (II Corinthians 5:17), does that mean we are all brand new and old habits disappear automatically? Well, that would be great if, when we put off the old man – poof – old habits are gone and new mannerisms and mindsets are automatically “installed on our hard drive!” If we have been born again as a new creation, why is transformation not so instant as this?
It is true we have been translated from the old kingdom of darkness and now walk in His marvelous Kingdom (Colossians 1:13). But during our captivity by the enemy we were subjected to a system of brainwashing where we were taught lies and believed them as truth.
…seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Colossians 3:9-10
Just before this verse, Paul labels the practices of the old self referring to some of them as “what is earthly in you” (verses 5-8). Then he makes this statement quoted above (verses 9-10) before going on to tell us the practices we must now put on (verses 12-17). Why did Paul feel the need to insert this passage between our old practices and our new ones?
Paul teaches us that even though we have been made a new creation, the mind is still use to all the old ways in which we once walked. In order to walk in the new behaviors of the new self we must have our minds renewed in knowledge, meaning the Word of God, so that the transformation process can be completed, making us in the likeness of Jesus Christ. In order to walk in the new practices that Paul teaches up to “put on,” we must be in the Word, being renewed by the Word. Romans 12:2 shows us that transformation is performed by the renewal of the mind. Through the Word we are renewed into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29) – we have the mind of Christ (I Corinthians 2:16)
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind… Romans 2:12
It is a common occurrence with victims rescued out of captivity that they have to be “deprogrammed” and therefore require a period of time before they can return to normal society. I learned of this phenomena through a friend of mine who was working with a ministry rescuing women out of sex slave trafficking. These women required 1-2 years and sometimes more just to get their minds renewed in the truth of their value as a person and the correct way to function in normalized societal situations.
Since we have been rescued out of the hands of the enemy, Paul knew we must be renewed in truth in order to implement the deprogramming necessary to reverse the damage of the brainwashing we had been subjected to.
Let me encourage you – spend time in the Word! Tarry there so that the truth in it can saturate your mind thereby renewing your mind. Let the life in it transform you into the likeness of the Son of God. Then you will be able to test and know what the will of God is. You will also be able to discern what is good and acceptable and perfect to God (Romans 12:2) so that you may walk in it. Through the power of the Word, you will break the strongholds the world seems to still have on you so that you may finally put off the old self with its practices. And you will experience the exhilarating freedom of walking in the new self after the image of your Creator!
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