“But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.” (Colossians 3:8)
Examining Our Hearts
In his letter to the Colossians, Paul instructs believers to meticulously examine their hearts and cast off any sins that have taken root. Although we have been made new in Christ, vestiges of our old nature still rear their ugly heads.
As redeemed saints, we must be brutal in ripping out these sins from our lives. Paul lists several specific ones – unchecked anger, raging fury, spiteful malice, abusive speech.
Like persistent weeds, they can quickly overrun our souls if not eliminated.
Malice in Our Midst
Malice is an especially dangerous weed – its roots dig down deep into the soil of our inner being. It springs up slowly, often unnoticed, but silently chokes out the fruit God desires.
This bitter root produces resentment, jealousy, distrust, and hatred towards others.
Even fellow believers can become targets of our malice. We begin viewing them through suspicious eyes, questioning their motives.
We withdraw, murmur, divide. Unchecked, malice metastasizes, poisoning our fellowship. As God’s chosen ones, we must purge this evil from our midst.
Cultivating Clean Hearts
Eradicating malice requires brutal honesty and courage. We must allow the light of Christ to shine into the hidden crevices of our hearts, exposing malicious motives.
Repentance and forgiveness will wash away past offenses.
Moving forward, we must nurture hearts soft to the leading of the Spirit, quick to extend grace. As malice withers in fertile soil of love, joy and peace will blossom, enriching all our relationships.
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3:2)
Transcending the Temporal
As we go about our daily lives, it’s easy to become consumed by earthly concerns – jobs, money, possessions, problems.
These things demand our attention and weigh heavily on our minds. However, Paul exhorts us to lift our thoughts above the temporal things of this world.
Rather than focusing downward on the fleeting things on earth, we are called to gaze upward and set our minds on the eternal realities of God’s kingdom.
We must transcend the temporal mindset that traps us in trivial anxieties. Our perspective should be heavenly, not earthly.
Visualizing Our Eternal Destiny
What does it mean to set our minds on things above? Certainly we must think deeply about our Lord – His character, His promises, His works. But more so, we must visualize by faith the glorious future that awaits all God’s children.
Picture in your mind the splendors of heaven – the radiance, the joy, the beauty beyond measure. Envision the coming Day when you’ll see Christ face to face, perfected in His presence.
When our thoughts are occupied and enthralled by these coming eternal realities, our earthly troubles fade into proper perspective.
Living in Light of Eternity
Setting our minds above transforms how we live each day. Material possessions lose their grip as we realize our true treasures await in heaven.
Status and fame seem foolish pursuits when our names are already written for eternity in God’s book.
Even painful earthly troubles become light and momentary when weighed against the coming glory. By keeping our eyes fixed on the unseen eternal world, we can walk through this present darkness with hope, courage and purpose.
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” (2 Corinthians 10:4 (NIV)
Weapons of the World
The apostle Paul wrote this letter to the Corinthians, who were living in a city that was influenced by many worldly philosophies, cultures, and values. He was defending his ministry and authority against some false apostles who were boasting about their credentials, appearance, and eloquence. He also wanted to correct some of the problems and divisions that were affecting the church.
The weapons of the world are the methods and strategies that people use to gain power, influence, and success in this world. They include things like human wisdom, rhetoric, appearance, wealth, status, violence, and deception.
They are often based on pride, selfishness, and greed. They are designed to exalt oneself and to oppress others.
Why Are the Weapons of the World Ineffective?
The weapons of the world are ineffective because they are not able to deal with the real enemy and the real battle that we face as Christians.
Our enemy is not flesh and blood, but the spiritual forces of evil that are behind the systems and structures of this world. Our battle is not against people, but against the lies, temptations, and accusations that the enemy uses to keep us from knowing and obeying God.
The weapons of the world are also ineffective because they are not able to withstand the judgment and wrath of God. These are temporary, fragile, and futile.
All will perish and be destroyed when God comes to establish his kingdom and his righteousness.
What Are the Weapons of Our Warfare?
The weapons of our warfare are the methods and strategies that God has given us to fight the good fight of faith; including things like the Word of God, prayer, faith, love, grace, truth, and the Holy Spirit. They are often based on humility, service, and sacrifice. They are designed to glorify God and to bless others.
The weapons of our warfare are effective because they have divine power to demolish strongholds. A stronghold is a fortified place that the enemy has built in our minds and hearts to keep us from experiencing the freedom and victory that God has for us.
It can be a false belief, a sinful habit, a negative emotion, or a harmful relationship. The weapons of our warfare can expose, confront, and overcome these strongholds by the power of God.
How Do We Use the Weapons of Our Warfare?
Christians use the weapons of our warfare by relying on God and his resources, not on ourselves and our abilities. We need to recognize that we are not sufficient in ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God. We need to acknowledge that we are not wise, strong, or righteous in ourselves, but we have the wisdom, strength, and righteousness of God in Christ.
Use the weapons of our warfare by resisting the enemy and his schemes, not by conforming to the world and its standards. We need to be alert, sober, and vigilant, knowing that the enemy is prowling around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Christians put on the full armor of God, which includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:10-18
The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. They are the weapons that God has given us to fight the good fight of faith.
Use them with confidence and courage, knowing that God is with us and for us, and that he will give us the victory.
“Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.” (2 John 1:8 NIV)
What Does It Mean to Watch Out?
The apostle John wrote this letter to a group of Christians who were facing false teachers and deceivers. He warned them to be careful not to be led astray by those who denied the truth about Jesus Christ. He also encouraged them to remain faithful to the commandment of love and to walk in obedience to God.
To watch out means to be alert, vigilant, and discerning. It means to pay attention to what we believe, how we live, and who we associate with.
It means to guard our hearts and minds from anything that would compromise our faith or our relationship with God.
Why Do We Need to Watch Out?
It is important to watch out because we have a precious treasure that is worth protecting. John said that we have worked for something that we do not want to lose. What is that something? It is the reward of eternal life that God has promised to those who believe in his Son.
The reward of eternal life is not something that we earn by our own efforts or merits. It is a gift of God’s grace that we receive by faith. However, it is also something that we can forfeit by our own negligence or disobedience.
If we turn away from the truth, if we follow false teachings, if we stop loving God and one another, we risk losing our reward.
How Do We Watch Out?
You watch out by staying close to God and his word. We need to read, study, and meditate on the Scriptures, which are able to make us wise for salvation and equip us for every good work.
We need to pray, worship, and fellowship with God, who is able to keep us from falling and to present us faultless before his glory. We need to obey, serve, and love God, who is able to reward us according to our deeds.
Watch out by staying connected to the community of faith. We need to listen, learn, and submit to the leaders and teachers who faithfully proclaim the truth and guide us in the way of righteousness.
Support, encourage, and care for one another, especially those who are weak, struggling, or suffering. We need to share, witness, and defend the gospel, especially to those who are lost, confused, or deceived.
What Is the Result of Watching Out?
The result of watching out is that we may be rewarded fully. John said that if we watch out, we will not lose what we have worked for, but we will receive the fullness of God’s blessing.
What is the fullness of God’s blessing? It is the joy of seeing Jesus face to face, the peace of being in his presence, the glory of sharing in his inheritance, and the love of being with him forever.
The reward of eternal life is not something that we can take for granted or assume that we already have. It is something that we need to pursue, protect, and prepare for. It is something that we need to watch out for.
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2
When we think of the word “power,” we often associate it with strength, might, and dominance. However, the Bible teaches us that true power lies in humility, gentleness, and patience.
In Ephesians 4:2, we are called to be “completely humble and gentle” and to “be patient, bearing with one another in love.” These three virtues are not only essential to our spiritual growth but also to our relationships with others.
In this devotional, we will explore the power of humility, gentleness, and patience and how they can transform our lives.
Power of Humility
Humility is often misunderstood as weakness or lack of confidence. However, true humility is the opposite of pride and arrogance. It is recognizing that we are not perfect and that we need God’s grace and mercy.
When we are humble, we are free from the burden of trying to prove ourselves to others. Instead, we can focus on serving others and putting their needs before our own.
Humility allows us to learn from our mistakes and grow in our faith. It also helps us to be more compassionate and understanding towards others.
Power of Gentleness
Gentleness is often associated with being soft or passive. However, gentleness is a powerful virtue that requires great strength and self-control. When we are gentle, we are able to control our emotions and respond to others with kindness and compassion.
Gentleness allows us to be peacemakers and to resolve conflicts in a peaceful manner. It also helps us to build trust and deepen our relationships with others.
When we are gentle, we are able to see the good in others and to encourage them to be their best selves.
Power of Patience
Patience is often described as waiting without complaining. However, true patience is much more than that. It is the ability to endure difficult circumstances without losing hope or faith.
When we are patient, we are able to trust in God’s timing and to wait for His plans to unfold. Patience allows us to persevere through trials and to grow in our faith.
It also helps us to be more understanding and forgiving towards others. When we are patient, we are able to see the bigger picture and to trust that God is working all things together for our good.
Essentials
The power of humility, gentleness, and patience cannot be overstated. These three virtues are essential to our spiritual growth and to our relationships with others.
When we are humble, gentle, and patient, we are able to reflect the love of Christ to those around us. We are able to build deeper relationships and to make a positive impact in the world.
Strive to cultivate these virtues in our lives and to be a shining light to those around us.
