Scripture to Read: Colossians 3:8–9
The deeds of our flesh are extremely ugly, selfish, prideful, and hurtful to ourselves and to anyone they impact. God wants us to act like Him and not fall prey to our old way of life before Christ was our Lord. God tells us today in Colossians 3:8–9, “But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices.” When God says that we must “put them aside,” it’s the picture of taking something off. A good way to picture this is to imagine that you have just worked outside in the hot sun. You are sweaty, you stink, and you know you need a shower. You come in the house, remove the sweaty, stinky clothes, and you get in the shower to clean up. Once you have showered, you smell, feel, and look clean. You would never consider taking up those stinky, sweaty clothes and putting them back on your clean body. When we surrendered to Christ, we were made clean, brand new, holy, righteous, and pure. Though we are new in Christ, our fleshly nature did not die. This is why we struggle each day, because our fleshly nature seeks to be in charge. This is why God tells us in Romans 8:6, “For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.” We must “put aside” our fleshly nature and set our minds on the Spirit.
Challenge & Application
Why must we put aside all of the deeds of our fleshly nature?
What do we enjoy as we put our minds on the Spirit and walk in obedience to our Lord?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!