Blame it on the Dead Guy

Posted on July 24, 2019 by America's Keswick in Freedom Fighters

“For he who has died has been freed from sin.” — Romans 6:7

I had a good friend that would make it a priority to keep short accounts with his bad behavior. He was quick to realize if what he just did or said was wrong and hastened to make it right. His explanation would be “Please forgive me, that was the dead guy, not me.” An interesting explanation that brought a reality to mind. “Blame the dead guy” is an avenue of taking personal responsibility but putting the blame on the flesh.

The concept of being a “New Creation in Christ” is when we separate the man of flesh from the redeemed incorruptible blood bought Saint. This newness of life is to be walked out in the Spirit, denying the flesh and putting to death the evil deeds. The problem I see in a lot of believers is that we’ve intermingled the flesh and the Spirit. When we make them cohorts we can fall into condemnation as the “New Man” takes the blame for the dead guy.

It’s important to separate the two, not memorializing the dead guy and acting out as if he were still in control. Trying to live in the flesh regarding spiritual matters becomes exhausting, the idea of reforming flesh is like trying to grasp sand. In Romans 6 Paul begins to lay out the transition from flesh to Spirit by showing us the contrast in everyday events. It seems when the two are combined our feelings (soul) begin to overcome the truth (spirit), we then may experience condemnation instead of conviction or become crushed instead of hard pressed. Resting in the finished work of God is a matter of separating the flesh (dead guy) from the Spirit man, using God’s word to affirm the truth verses feelings.

“Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”  

The dividing of soul and spirit is a picture of allowing truth to guide our feelings. When intermingled we may sometimes get that backwards. When feelings dictate our truth, we’re in trouble. So, when you do something contrary to God’s word, “Blame it on the Dead Guy.” This doesn’t mean we don’t make every attempt to make things right it just puts the blame on the corpse and allows the spirit filled man to rise above condemnation.

Written by Rob Russomano: Rob Russomano is married to Terri, and serves with her as full time staff members. He is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and is also available as a speaker of the grace of God with a message of Hope for church events. You can contact him at rrussomano@americaskeswick.org.

Think About This: “Remember that if you are a child of God, you will never be happy in sin. You are spoiled for the world, the flesh, and the devil. When you were regenerated there was put into you a vital principle, which can never be content to dwell in the dead world. You will have to come back, if indeed you belong to the family.” – Charles Spurgeon

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalms 35-36, Acts 17:1-15| You can download our 2018 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength.” – Isaiah 26:3-4

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the doctrinal and theological views held by America’s Keswick.