[It is indeed no easy matter to effect this work ; yet in dependence on God's aid we may, and must, accomplish it. We must suppress its actings. It will break forth, if not resisted, into all manner of evilb: but we must fight against it, and " bring it into subjection0." Our eternal life and salva- tion depend on our " mortifying the deeds of the body d." Not contented with a partial victory, we must check its desires. A weight that may be easily stopped when beginning to roll, will prove irresistible when it is running down a steep de- clivity. We must check evil in its first rising, if we would not be overpowered by it : none can tell how far he shall go when once he begins to fall. We must therefore " crucify the flesh with its affections and lustse." To do this effectually, we must guard against its deceits. We should examine our motives and principles of action. Sin is deceitful ; the heart also is deceitful ; and Satan helps forward our deceptions. That which is very specious in its outward appearance is often most odious to the heart-searching God. We must therefore bring every thing to the touchstone of God's word : we must " prove all things, and hold fast that which is goodf."]
But we must not be satisfied with resisting sin. We must,
II. Put on the new man —
"The new man" is that principle which actuates the godly —
[It consists of many parts, as well as the evil principle. Humility, faith, love, &c. are among its most characteristic features. It is divine in its origin. It belongs to no man naturally ; but is " new." It is the gift of God, the work of his good Spirit. It is " created" within us, and is as truly the workmanship of God, as the universe itself is. All who possess it are said to be " God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good worksg." It is moreover holy in its operations : all its motions and tendencies are holy. It works to transform us " after God's image." It leads to an unreserved obedience to both tables of the law. It directs to " righteousness" towards man, and " holiness" towards God. Nor will it be satisfied with any semblance of religion, however specious. It labours uniformly to bring us to the experience of " true" holiness both in heart and life.]
This it is our duty to be putting on —
b See the following context. c 1 Cor. ix. 27.
d Rom. viii. 13. e Gal. v. 24.
f 1 Thess. v. 21. e Eph. ii. 10.