The power of the old Adamic nature is broken only through God's power, accomplished by the crucifixion of the old man with Christ.
Every person inherits the old Adamic nature, which is the source of sin, and it must be put to death. According to Scripture, this happens when the believer is crucified with Christ, so that the body of sin is destroyed or put out of commission. This is not achieved by human effort but is the work of God through Christ's substitutionary death, as taught by Les Feldick.
Romans 6:6 — This verse explicitly states that our old man is crucified with Christ so that the body of sin might be destroyed, directly answering how the old nature's power is broken.
The Bible teaches that every human being, being a son of Adam, is a sinner and must die. The law decrees, "The soul that sinneth, it shall die" (Ezekiel 18:20), and Romans 6:23 states, "For the wages of sin is death." However, God provided a "loophole": Christ died in our place, and we experience that death in Him through substitution. Romans 6:6 declares, "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." This verse reveals that the old man—the sinful nature inherited from Adam—is crucified with Christ, so that its power is broken. Furthermore, Romans 6:7 says, "For he that is dead is freed from sin," indicating that death to the old nature results in freedom from its dominion. Galatians 2:20 confirms, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." This shows that the believer, though not physically crucified, is counted as crucified with Christ, and Christ now lives in him, bringing new life.
Les Feldick emphasizes that the old Adamic nature, which every person is born with, is the source of all sin and must be put to death. He explains that this is not something we can do ourselves but is entirely a work of God through Christ's crucifixion. The old man is crucified with Christ, and this crucifixion "kills" or "puts out of commission" the old nature. Les clarifies that the word "destroyed" in Romans 6:6 does not mean annihilated but "knocked out of commission," like pulling the main fuse box lever—the power is still there, but it is no longer active unless reconnected. Similarly, the old Adam loses his power over the believer, so that he no longer has to serve it. Les stresses that this is all accomplished by God's grace and power alone, not by human effort or works. The believer is to reckon the old man as dead and not give in to him, but keep him under control through the power of God.
Les Feldick teaches that the old Adamic nature is the sin nature that every person is born with. It is the "old man" of Scripture, the nature inherited from Adam, which caused us to be disobedient and under the control of sin. This nature is the source of all our problems and struggles with sin.
Because the old nature has sinned, it must die. The law says "the soul that sinneth, it shall die," and every human being, being a son of Adam, is a sinner and must die. The only way to be freed from the old Adamic nature's control is for it to be put to death. Until it is dead, it reigns as a king, controlling the person.
When a person believes the gospel, God crucifies the old Adam with Christ. This is not a physical crucifixion but a spiritual reality. The old man is put to death with Christ, so that the body of sin—the controlling influence of the old nature—is destroyed, or put out of commission. Its dominating power is broken, and the believer is freed from its service.
Les Feldick emphasizes that breaking the old nature's power is not achieved by human effort or willpower. It is entirely a work of God, accomplished by His grace and power. The believer is to have faith that the old Adam is crucified with Christ, and to reckon it as true. This faith allows the believer to experience the freedom from sin's dominion and to live the new life in Christ.
The Loophole of Substitution
Les introduces the concept that God provided a loophole to the law 'the soul that sinneth shall surely die' by having Christ die in our place, and explains that the old man refers to old Adam.
Old Adam Crucified, Power Broken
Les clarifies that the body of sin is 'destroyed' meaning knocked out of commission, like pulling the main fuse—the power is still there but inactive, so we are no longer to serve old Adam.
Death Ends Control
Les illustrates that when a person dies, the law cannot touch him; similarly, when old Adam is put to death, he loses his control over us, and we are freed from him.
Old Adam Dwells in Believers
Les explains that when believers sin, it is not the new 'I' in Christ, but old Adam dwelling in them, and God reckons him as dead.
Old Adam is Crucified with Christ
Les directly states that the old man, the sin nature we are born with, is crucified with Christ when we believe the gospel.
Crucifixion Kills the Old Adam
Les teaches that crucifixion kills, so God kills the old Adam, putting him out of commission, so that we should not serve sin.
Dead to the Law, Married to Christ — What Romans 7 Really Means
All right, so now then in Romans chapter 6, we have been sealing this dealing with the old Adam, that we cannot do anything in ourselves. It has to be a work of God to place old Adam on the cross. He has to be crucified. He has to be put to death. Now, Theo over here came up with a good question at break time to clarify our use of the word death.
All Accomplished by Grace and Power
Les emphasizes that overcoming the old sin nature is not something we work for; it is accomplished entirely by God's grace and power, not human effort.
Romans 6:6: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
This verse is central to the answer, stating that the old man is crucified with Christ, leading to the destruction of the body of sin.
Romans 6:7: For he that is dead is freed from sin.
This verse explains the result of the crucifixion: death to the old nature brings freedom from sin's power.
Galatians 2:20: I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
This verse expresses the believer's identification with Christ's crucifixion, resulting in Christ living in the believer.
Ezekiel 18:20: The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
This verse establishes the principle that sin leads to death, which is the background for the need for Christ's substitutionary death.
Les Feldick teaches that the old Adamic nature is not removed or annihilated, but is put out of commission when the believer is crucified with Christ. Its power is broken, but it remains present, and the believer must choose not to serve it. This is accomplished by God's power, not human effort.
No. Les Feldick emphasizes that breaking the old nature's power is entirely a work of God. It is not achieved by self-discipline or religious works. It is done through Christ's crucifixion, and the believer receives this by faith.
The old nature is put out of commission, but it is not destroyed. It can still be 'flipped back on' like a fuse box. Les Feldick explains that when believers sin, it is the old Adam dwelling in them, not the new self in Christ. God reckons the old Adam as dead, and believers are to keep him under control.
Watch the Teaching: What Does It Mean to Be Crucified With Christ?