The "old nature" or "sin nature" is nothing more than our own selfish thoughts, desires, & emotions. Once saved, we recieve a "new nature", also described in scripture to be "the divine nature (see 2nd Peter 1), which is the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Unfortunately, some teach & believe (Wesleyans & Hyper Grace advocates) that the old nature can be eradicated or done away with. I have yet to find anything like that in scripture. In fact, there is no such thing as a "sin nature" that exists apart from our own basic human thoughts, desires, and emotions. The "sin nature" is nothing more than human nature that is focused on self. It is impossible to eradicate our human nature apart from death.
That is exactly why scripture teaches us that we can and should crucify the old nature by walking in the new.
Matt. 16:24 - "Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me." (*also see Mark 8:34 & Luke 9:23)
Romans 6:6 - "...knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin"
Ephesians 4:22 - "that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit"
Gal. 5:24 - "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."
Col. 3:5 - "Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry."
Scripture also gives us several examples of how to crucify the the old man:
Gal. 5:16 - "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh"
1 John 3:6 - "No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him."
Before salvation, we are self centered. However, after salvation we are to be Christ centered. Before salvation, we had no other choice but to live in "the flesh" because "the flesh" is our human nature apart from the presence of God. However, after salvation we are given an alternative. Christ's sacrifice has purchased for us the opportunity to fellowship with God through abiding in Him (Christ). This is what Jesus meant when he states in John 14:6 when He says "I am the way, the truth, and the life. There no other way to the Father but through Me."
After Jesus makes this proclaimation, He then finishes out the 14th chapter by talking about the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. He then follows this up by talking about the importance of abiding in the vine (who is Christ) in chapter 15.
The Apostle Peter also speaks of this in 2nd Peter, chapter 1, verses 2-11:
Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
While the "old man" does indeed reside in the believer after salvation, scripture clearly states that by abiding in Christ the believer now has access to everything necessary to crucify the flesh. Therefore, after salvation, committing sin can and should be avoided. However, it can only be avoided by abiding in Christ which is exactly what the apostle Paul meant when he states in 2 Cor. 12:9 "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."
Believers should make every effort to maintain a level of awareness of the presence of God throughout each day, every day. Which explains why Pauls say the following in Col. 3:23 "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men..."
However, when we are tempted, we are to immediately place our thoughts and affections upon the Lord:
1 Cor. 10:13 - " No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it"
Col. 3:2 - "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."
Phil. 4: 6, 7 - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Unfortunately, some teach & believe (Wesleyans & Hyper Grace advocates) that the old nature can be eradicated or done away with. I have yet to find anything like that in scripture. In fact, there is no such thing as a "sin nature" that exists apart from our own basic human thoughts, desires, and emotions. The "sin nature" is nothing more than human nature that is focused on self. It is impossible to eradicate our human nature apart from death.
That is exactly why scripture teaches us that we can and should crucify the old nature by walking in the new.
Matt. 16:24 - "Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me." (*also see Mark 8:34 & Luke 9:23)
Romans 6:6 - "...knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin"
Ephesians 4:22 - "that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit"
Gal. 5:24 - "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."
Col. 3:5 - "Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry."
Scripture also gives us several examples of how to crucify the the old man:
Gal. 5:16 - "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh"
1 John 3:6 - "No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him."
Before salvation, we are self centered. However, after salvation we are to be Christ centered. Before salvation, we had no other choice but to live in "the flesh" because "the flesh" is our human nature apart from the presence of God. However, after salvation we are given an alternative. Christ's sacrifice has purchased for us the opportunity to fellowship with God through abiding in Him (Christ). This is what Jesus meant when he states in John 14:6 when He says "I am the way, the truth, and the life. There no other way to the Father but through Me."
After Jesus makes this proclaimation, He then finishes out the 14th chapter by talking about the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. He then follows this up by talking about the importance of abiding in the vine (who is Christ) in chapter 15.
The Apostle Peter also speaks of this in 2nd Peter, chapter 1, verses 2-11:
Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
While the "old man" does indeed reside in the believer after salvation, scripture clearly states that by abiding in Christ the believer now has access to everything necessary to crucify the flesh. Therefore, after salvation, committing sin can and should be avoided. However, it can only be avoided by abiding in Christ which is exactly what the apostle Paul meant when he states in 2 Cor. 12:9 "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."
Believers should make every effort to maintain a level of awareness of the presence of God throughout each day, every day. Which explains why Pauls say the following in Col. 3:23 "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men..."
However, when we are tempted, we are to immediately place our thoughts and affections upon the Lord:
1 Cor. 10:13 - " No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it"
Col. 3:2 - "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."
Phil. 4: 6, 7 - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
