Sanctification ______ the old man—the carnal nature.

• A. Crucifies
• B. Rescues
• C. Weakens
• D. Transforms

Answer: (A)

Sanctification involves putting to death the old self and its sinful desires. Scripture teaches that the old man, the carnal nature, is crucified with Christ so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless. This is seen in verses that say believers have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts, and that they are to put off the old man and its deeds and put on the new man. Because of this, the clearest way to express sanctification is that it crucifies the old man, not simply rescue him, weaken him, or merely transform him without death. The process means dying to sin and living unto righteousness as the Spirit renews the heart and conduct, aligning behavior with Christ.