“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” Colossians 3:5
January 30, 2026
The Christian’s new identity in Christ faces us with what seems like a paradox (a seeming contradiction). On the one hand Paul says “you have died” (Col. 3:3). Then he says “Put to death.” We have to become in practice what we are in principle. The imperative is “do it now!” “Do it resolutely!” The killing of sin is the getting rid of sin in one’s life. It is the constant battle against the magnetic pull of disobedience to God. Don’t let the eye wander. Refuse the clink-bait on your phone or TV remote when it opens the door to thinking and emotions which yield bad results. “The goal of mortification (killing sin) is to weaken the habits of sin so that we do make the right choices” (Jerry Bridges). Interestingly, the first four vices (3:5) have to do with sexual sins. Are there some temptations to which you need to say NO? With men it often is chasing “eye candy.” With women it can be romantic fantasy. “Lord, I need a stronger spiritual immune system. Help me. I need to say no to what is wrong. I need to say yes to what is right.”
H
Reflection:
What are your plans for entertainment this week?
What makes you tick? What lights up your world? What are the mental weeds you need to pull up to make you a better person?