Overcoming Self

Throughout our cultures, we are called to be strong, to promote self, to “stand out” and to be proud. This is contrary to our lives in Christ. We as disciples of Jesus, are called to renounce self and the attributes thereof. However, these inner tenacities can not be renounced through our efforts. It is only through God’s grace that we can renounce our self. Grace can only be given through our confession and repenting of self, our nature in sin. Through this process, grace is forever given to the one that confesses and the manifestation of our true inner nature acted on. We must learn that our nature of self manifests: hostility, jealousy, anger, selfish ambition, divisions, envy, and dissension. This is not our “New-Self” in Christ. Our nature in Christ is: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithlessness, gentleness, and self-control. Many of us will surely agree that we are manifesting both our true nature and our nature in self. Ask “Am I manifesting more of my nature in Christ or my self-nature, my old nature? Learn to put on your new nature in Christ. Renounce your self or old nature through repetition and consistency. Surrender and “empty out” your inner self-nature and allow your new nature to rule your inner self. Therefore you will be a new creation in Christ: Born a new.