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Things to be Killed. Colossians 3.5-10

Things to be killed. Colossians 3.5-10

Good Day.

Being IN the world, but not OF it is quite a challenge, but oh so very important if our lives are to be right in Christ. As Christ followers, our lives should look different than those who do not profess his name. Since that is the case, Paul tells us what to do:

So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. Vs. 5-10, Ch. 3

Wow! Okay, good instruction. Where to begin?

Again, let me take you to what I know and experience – when a young person (high school) has been consumed with the pressures of the world – drinking, ‘sexing’, smoking, etc. and then they meet the love of Christ, I see their desire to change. Truly! But how does she then break out of patterns, relationships, and desires that have taken her down the wrong path? The battle always begins in the mind, and ultimately, it is won or lost there as well.

Again … Paul, writing to the Romans - Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12.2 Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Paul says to renew our minds … by renew, did Paul mean make new? Make our minds new?

By renew, did Paul mean replenish, refill? Replenish or refill our minds?

By renew, did Paul mean enlarge, expand? Enlarge or expand the capacity of our minds? The answer is ‘yes’, all of these things; I think Paul meant for the word to mean all of these, and more! Commonly, we speak of renewable resources, and our minds would certainly fall into that category.

Spiritual transformation comes about as we change our lives from the inside out. It is the trifecta of the Holy Spirit, the Word and us working together. Our part of renewing our minds comes with action and intention. Jesus said, Seek first the kingdom of God… The most important way we can make our minds new, replenish and expand our thinking is by seeking God first. It is the first step in morphing from being conformed to transformed.

Then Paul tells us the action we are to take: put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy … get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other… Paul does not mince words; in fact, he reminds us that sin draws the anger of God.

Do not love the world or anything in the world, the apostle John wrote. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.*

Dear God, renew our minds with thinking that is set on you—that which is true, virtuous, lovely, and honorable—forgive us for our sins of wanting what the world values, rather than that which is pure and of you. Forgive us for caring more about how we feel and what we want, rather than that which honors you. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Christine

*1 John 2.15-17

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Comment by Seek on February 6, 2013 at 10:35am: when a young person (high school) has been consumed with the pressures of the world – drinking, ‘sexing’, smoking, etc. and then they meet the love of Christ, I see their desire to change. Truly! But how does she then break out of patterns, relationships, and desires that have taken her down the wrong path? The battle always begins in the mind, and ultimately, it is won or lost there as well.

I've found from personal experience that it can be even harder for the not-so-young. The more years we spend with our minds conditioned to things one way, the harder and longer it will be for us to get our minds reconditioned to God's way. I think sometimes God gives us a hand in this though. Why He gives different ones a different approach is beyond me. But for myself, I immediately had a change in some desires. Some may immediately give up drinking, smoking, etc. while others may spend years battling with those addictions. I don't think that's a thing any of us can understand. It's getting to where we can wrap our minds around some things that helps us to win the battle too. Some of us have a harder time of just plain ole acceptance of this is the way it is and we want explanations.

Things to be Killed. Colossians 3.5-10

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