When any person truly repents and trust Jesus as Lord and Savior, he dies to the old life of sin and self and is risen with Christ “to walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:2-4; 2 Cor. 5:16; 1 John 3:9). In fact that person has died with Christ and risen with Him to live a holy life. All this is pictured in immersion baptism. However, the death which begins to take effect when the believer first accepts Christ must be experienced daily throughout life. This picture clearly presented in baptism is often abandoned, and as a consequence, far too many Christians, confused and discouraged, often abandon the idea of victory over sin and the flesh and live a wretched life torn between the contending forces of flesh and spirit or simply say, “I cannot keep from sinning or living in the flesh.”
To make this victory ours is the first work of the Holy Spirit after that of the new birth (regeneration). This aspect of the Holy Spirit’s ministry is strikingly set forth in Romans 8:13, “If you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if you by the Spirit put to death the deeds of the body you shall live.” The “deeds” of the body are “the doings” of the body, such as “fornication, uncleanness, passion, covetousness, anger, wrath, malice, shameful speaking,…lying.” (Col. 3:5-9). From God’s viewpoint, the “deeds of the body” or “old man” (King Self) has been dealt with once and for all – crucified with Christ; but from our viewpoint, the death by crucifixion must be applied to the “doings” of the flesh in a day by day process.
How is the Flesh, King Self, or Deeds of the Body Put to Death? – in a word, “The Self Life.” Certainly not by the energy of the flesh. I have heard Christians pray, “Lord, help me to crucify myself.” No one can crucify himself. It’s a physical impossibility. One can commit suicide in many different ways, but if he ever dies by crucifixion someone else will put him on the cross.
The Holy Spirit is the Agent Who Brings Crucifixion to Pass. As Romans 8:13 specifically states, “If ye by the Spirit do put to death the deeds of the body (its doings), ye shall live.” In order to understand how the Spirit works with us to put the death sentence into effect, we must understand the meaning of the one word translated “put to death.” The word is THANATOS, which means Death. (Note: William Cullen Bryant wrote the famous poem on death called Thanatopsis). To this one word Thannatos is added a causative ending, making it THANAtoute, which literally means “cause to put to death,. We are not to crucify ourselves. However, we are to acknowledge our sin, and give the Holy Spirit permission to crucify it or take it out of our lives. He MUST have our permission. We must say the word, because God does nothing in us without our own active cooperation.
Permit me at this point to share an illustration whereby a pastor friend of mine described how he learned to permit the Holy Spirit to enable him to crucify King Self:
“An experience some years ago brought home to me this aspect of the Holy Spirit’s ministry. We had at that time a pet dog named Skipper which had won his way into our affections – especially those of our children. One day Skipper was struck by a passing automobile. Though he recovered in a measure from his injury, Skipper was never himself again. His disposition was ruined and he became a problem in the neighborhood. One day after he had snapped at my little daughter I sent him to the veterinarian for observation. The doctor explained that sometimes a dog’s disposition was permanently altered by an injury of that nature. He stated that Skipper would probably be a dangerous pet to have with the little children in the home and frankly advised me to put him out of the way.
The veterinarian had made his recommendation. He stood ready to carry out the course that he had advised. But the problem was mine – the dog was mine, and the children were mine. It was my responsibility to say the word, and I said it. I have always felt that I said the right word, and ever since I have held in grateful appreciation the friend who counseled me so wisely and who then so faithfully did the “dirty work” for me. So far as I know that is the only sentence of execution I have pronounced – except that which time and time again I pronounce when the Holy Spirit reveals to me the working of a vicious nature within and waits my word to carry out the death sentence which he so strongly recommends.
My friend’s relation to Skipper describes the position which the believer must take in regard to the problem of the flesh. However the act of pronouncing God’s sentence must be cultivated until it becomes habit of mind. That attitude is commanded in Romans 6:11. That attitude is described in Romans 6:11 where Paul say, “Even so reckon ye also yourselves to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God in Christ Jesus.” The tense of the verb is present, indicating a continuing process of reckoning. The word “reckon” means “to accept as an accomplished fact” that our “old man” (Self) has been crucified as the Word plainly states, “Ye died, and your life is hid with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3). “They that are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof” (Gal. 5:24). The crucifixion has already taken place. By faith we must accept this fact and hold to the course in a steady reckoning.”[1]
Caution: This business of being “dead” to sin does not necessarily take away its appeal, nor does it render us incapable of responding. Many a young believer discovers through painful experience that if sin and self are dead, it is the “livest dead” thing he has ever encountered. The fact is: we are free to do as we choose. God’s will is that we play by the rules he has graciously given – quietly reckoning in our minds and faith that we ourselves are dead unto sin and do not have to commit it and alive unto God just as He as said. “…The wonderful thing about it is that the instant we make this reckoning and take the position that He has indicated in relation to sin, the whole problem is solved and the victory is won. It is a sure way, and the only way by which the believer may walk in constant victory.”[2] Then the believer will know that Jesus did not just come to give life but to give it more abundantly. (John 10:10b).
[1] Ralph Herring, God Being My Helper, . pp. 25-26.
[2] Ibid. p. 27