Colossians 3:5-6 “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.”
Sin is a severe threat that must be tackled intentionally and aggressively. Paul commands us to put sin to death rather than flirt or compromise with it. Take up your spiritual weapons and pursue its destruction!
To wage this battle well, we must begin by identifying the enemy within. Paul names the specific sins of immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed that wage war against our souls.
Take note of what trips you up. Where are you prone to give ground?
Once sins are identified, attack without mercy! By God’s power we can cut off what leads to spiritual death. Half-hearted measures only allow sin’s roots to spread.
No Negotiating
Putting sin to death means eliminating it entirely, not trying to negotiate an acceptable level of it. We must reject the lies that some sins are harmless or even beneficial.
Sin promises satisfaction but delivers only disappointment, destruction and separation from God. We must treat it as the mortal enemy it is, not a friendly pet we can tame. There is no compromising with this viper.
Killing sin requires radical action. We must lay down our lives, take up our crosses and keep in step with the Spirit each day.
Remember the Stakes
To motivate us in this battle, Paul reminds us of the coming wrath sin incites. God in His mercy delays judgment, giving time to repent. But impenitent sin stores up wrath awaiting the day of reckoning.
The wages of sin is still death. That should jolt us out of casualness toward evil desires and drive us to slay them. Our eternal destiny hangs in the balance.
God’s discipline also comes to those persisting in sin. But His judgment aims to save us, not destroy. It spurs repentance and restoration. Let it compel us to crucify sin before it kills us.
Alive in Christ
By God’s power, we can put sin to death and experience new life in Christ. Though the battle rages lifelong, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Sin no longer reigns.
Stay vigilant! Keep putting your earthly nature to death. And as you weaken its grip, may you grow more radiant as reflections of Christ’s righteousness.
Our Savior has overcome sin and death forever. In Him we are alive indeed!
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