Last week we described the new self. Your new self wants healthy, loving relationships, especially a union of love with God. Your new self has an aversion to corruption and is open to conviction of sin. I believe this was John’s point when he said: “no one who is born of God will continue to sin” (1 John 3:9, ESV). Your new self wants to know God better and is disappointed when you sin. If you continually embrace these new desires and reject opposing desires, then your new self will mature and dominate.
You can enlarge the influence of your new self by taking a few moments, especially in solitude, to “put on” your new self. Following is a guide for this. You might also use this for challenging situations.
Exercise – Living From the New Self
- Find a place of solitude and silence.
- Let the concerns of the day flow away so that your soul quiets down somewhat.
- Locate the part of yourself that desires God and all that is good; this is your new self. Perhaps picture this part of you as a branch of Jesus who is the great vine, or part of his body of which he is the head.
- Once you have a sense of your new self, take time to let this new self expand inside you. Let it dominate over every other part of your self.
- Notice the thoughts, feelings and will of your new self. Fully embrace these.
- Be aware of your old self and any false selves you created. Reject every part of these.
- Commit to living daily from your new self.
In the beginning it might take five or ten minutes to do this exercise. As you practice, you will be able to do it more quickly. During your daily tasks you can do a condensed version of it in just a few seconds. Keep practicing and you will notice a difference in your life.
