Some believers believe that they have two natures — the old sinful nature and the new spiritual nature — that coexist in them. Such a believer will expend too much energy waging a fictitious conflict between these two natures, resulting in a confused and disappointed Christian life.

“Struggling with sin" is a challenge for the believer who is unaware that his or her life in Christ already enables him or her to overcome sin. You have received freedom from the power of sin in Christ by becoming a new creation. Because sinful nature has already been rendered helpless, victory over sin is possible. However, due to a misconception about sinful nature, many believers are unable to live in this new creation reality.

Many Bible versions translate the Greek word, sarx as "flesh". Flesh, on the other hand, is frequently used to describe sinful nature. This leads Christians to conclude that the flesh and sinful nature have the same meaning. This is not the case because sarx is more closely related to the term "humanity" than to "sinful nature." This means that when the word "flesh" appears in the Bible, it does not always refer to the sinful nature.

If we believe that the flesh and sinful nature are in some way related, we are suggesting that the flesh is sinful nature itself. This would be confusing because the Bible says Jesus appeared in the flesh (Romans 8:3, 1 John 4:2). This would imply that He possesses a sinful nature [which is not the case]. The flesh and the sinful nature are not one and the same. The Bible, on the other hand, tells us that sin is what makes the flesh sinful, but the flesh itself is by no way sinful.

To assume you have two natures is akin to a man putting on a clean set of clothing over a set of soiled clothes. On the appearance, this man appears clean, but on the inside, he is filthy.

Jesus cannot create a "new you" while allowing the "old you" to remain within you. This would turn you into a grotesque creature rather than a gorgeous new creation. Such thinking will make you doubt your salvation since it implies that the finished work of the Cross is insufficient. You will be repeatedly accused by Satan and be ruined by guilt and condemnation.

 

[Since] you have put off the old man with his deeds and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him.

Colossians 3:9-10 (NKJV)

 

The Apostle Paul reminds us that we have already put aside our old sinful nature and put on our new spiritual nature the moment we believe in Christ. Paul tells us our sinful nature is something in the past tense, whereas our new spiritual nature is the ever-present new creation reality of every believer. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit dwells in the heart of every believer and their bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). Because the Holy Spirit is God, He cannot reside in you if you still have a sinful nature.

You can only have one nature at a time.

Although your sinful nature is no longer present in you, it has left behind significant damage. It's like a house that was messed up by a terrible storm. Although the storm has passed, the devastation it caused may still be seen in the wreckage it has left behind. Everything is in chaos or has to be repaired. Work must be done to restore the house in order for it to be habitable again.

Likewise, it is with you.

Your new nature in Christ opens you to the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives you a new spiritual life by freeing you from the old sinful nature that produces sin and death (Romans 8:2), allowing you to live in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:24). You will make considerable progress in your Christian life if you focus on the truth of what the Holy Spirit is doing in and through you.