Why Do We Not Do What GOD Wants Us to Do? (old nature vs the new nature)
The word theology has its origins in Ancient Greece and has been in use for over 2,600 years, first appearing in Greek around 380 BCE and entering English in the late 14th century.
The term comes from Greek theología, meaning “discourse on god(s)”.
Plato used it in his Republic (Book II, c. 380 BCE) to describe mythological or divine discourse
Aristotle also employed the term, distinguishing theology from physics and mathematics as a branch of philosophy concerned with the divine.
According to Christian theology, humans often do not do what GOD wants due to the inherited sin nature resulting from the descent of Adam and Eve, which creates an internal conflict between our sinful desires and our desire to follow GOD.
The word was adopted into Latin as theologia, notably by Boethius in the early 6th century CE, who used it to describe a subdivision of philosophy dealing with incorporeal realities.
By the 1660s, it expanded to mean a particular system of theology (e.g., Calvinist theology, Catholic theology)
“In Christian theological teaching, the “old nature” refers to the sinful, self-centered disposition inherited from Adam, while the “new nature” is the Spirit-given life believers receive in Christ, enabling them to desire and pursue GOD’s will.”
Man was not originally created with the desire to sin (rebel against the One Who fashioned him with His hands) willfully. We were given the ability to choose. It is called, “the will of man.” When we are enticed in ways that appeal to the unsavory nature that is prone to choose unwisely to satisfy that part of us, it is said, the “old nature (man)” has won.
Since the departure from the created form of man (Adam), into his birthed form, we have all been “born into sin and shaped in the iniquity of the rebellion.” All of humankind is now born with a nature inclined toward selfishness and revolt against GOD's will. This "old nature" is in constant conflict with the "new nature" (guided by the Holy Spirit) that develops after obedience and eventually, faith in the Messiah, the Son of the Living GOD. In this choice of obedient faith, that person will be in a daily struggle to maintain that obedience to the Son of the Father of all of creation.
What a fight (battle or struggle) it is!
When is it that enticed mankind to be drawn away from eternity and into sinful ways? Earlier, I mentioned the Greek definition of it. I will now introduce you to the way the people of ADONAI would explain it in their tongue.
“Hebraically, it is the lev—the heart/brain—that inclines man to give in to unsavory nature, through the pull of the yetzer ha-ra; but the same heart can be circumcised (Deut. 30:6) and renewed by GOD’s Spirit, so that desire is transformed into covenant faithfulness.”
There are quite a few more Scripture references that detail this faithful promise.
The old nature was inherited from Adam after the fall (Genesis 5:3). Every human is born with this bent toward sin. We are all now automatically predisposed to be self-serving, hostile to GOD and resistant to His Spirit (Romans 8:7).
As sad as it is, we are persuaded by both lawless indulgence and self-righteous legalism. If we have not been living in caves and under rocks, this is ever more evident these days.
This sin that dwells in us. It is the culprit. That nature is our major limitation. The weakness that comes along with it cannot be improved or reformed. It produces spiritual death and separation from GOD, our Creator (Romans 6:23).
The free will I mentioned earlier is allowed and is internally embedded in our created beings. Yes. The Eternal One, the LORD, Most High endowed humans with the capacity to choose between obeying and disobeying Him.
Who does that? He does!
Why would He do that?
What risk is He taking?
Is it truly a risk, for Him?
Imagine what TRUE love would look like. If it were to be a genuine relationship. The choice of commitment would have to come down to the conclusion one comes to. The decision is what that person’s preference truly desires. THAT outcome is honest.
This resembles marriage. Does it not? This woven in and/or implanted free will allows individuals to prioritize their own desires over GOD's Commands, or choose Him.
There is a twist in all of this. That pull of the nature is called (at least in this piece of writing), “removing the ‘Old Man’”. Initially, I thought that phrase would be the Hebraic use of a sort of Scriptural juxtaposition or aphorism. I realize now, that was the reach of a comparison. It boiled down to the old faithful friend of the culture, the metaphor.
"Taking off the old man" is in fact, Biblical metaphor. A lot more looking took me to the concept of a decisive transformation. What that means is, that person would be in the process of shedding one's former, sinful way of life and adopting a new identity in the likeness of the One Who created man.
In pain language, that person is willing to discard the filthy, worn-out garments to put on some clean, new ones.
The "old man" (or "old self") refers to the unregenerate human nature and identity inherited from Adam, which is inherently corrupt and inclined towards sin. The "new man" is the new nature, a new creation in the Messiah, Who is the “express Image of GOD”. The transition from "old man" to "new man" is a fundamental change of identity from being "in Adam" to being "in Christ".
Sin is sneaky and deceitful. Sometimes it is standing right IN YOUR FACE, daring your to choose Something or Someone Else! It often presents itself as appealing and offers short-term pleasure, while conveniently masking the long-term, negative consequences. This deceit makes it easy to compromise convictions and ignore the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Some people (many) may not understand GOD's will because they haven't surrendered their lives to Him, studied the Bible (the revealed will of GOD), or had their minds renewed by His reading His Word.
Ultimately, the gap between what GOD wants and what humans do will always feature the need for GOD’s mercy, His pity and His kindness (grace) and the redemptive work of His Son, Yeshua, the Messiah, to overcome the power of sin and align human desires with GOD's will.
The ongoing struggle is to keep the separation between the two natures (men). I know we sometimes forget or ignore the fact that the old nature and new nature oppose each other, creating inner tension (Romans 7:15–25). That battle will always keep tension on our insides.
We must make the daily choice of GOD’s Son, Jesus. Believers who are also faithful followers must “put off” the old. We must make the daily choice to walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16), renew our mind (Romans 12:2) and put on the new Man, Who likewise is the Spirit of GOD (Romans 13:14).
The "new man" is a reference to the original creation of humanity in (Genesis 1:26), where man was made in GOD's "Image" and "Likeness". Through the collapse, that image was marred.
Putting on the new man means renewing the mind. This involves actively replacing worldly thinking, deceit, and lies with the Truth of GOD's reality, allowing one's mind to be governed by His Spirit.
There is this phrase called, “Active Virtue”. It means enthusiastically displaying specific, Christ-like virtues in daily life, such as "compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience".
Putting on Christ: Ultimately, "putting on the new man" is synonymous with "putting on the Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 13:14). It is not merely imitating the Savior, but participating in His Nature, so that His life and character are expressed through the believer's actions.
Renounce sinful behaviors: This involves identifying and forsaking specific acts of sin, such as anger, malice, lying, and filthy language, which were characteristic of the former way of life.
When possible, get to a Passover Seder (Covenant meal of remembrance)
Old Nature: Bread without leaven (Unleavened Bread—symbolizing sin removed).
New Nature: Wine poured, representing joy and Spirit-filled life.
Action: Eating and drinking becomes a persistently consistent practice of “taking off” corruption and “putting on” the Messiah.