What Holy Matters?
Put to Death – Part 2
Scripture Reading: Colossians 3:6-11
Key Verse: Colossians 3:5
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
As we continue our thoughts on the clear instructions to put to death our earthly nature, we must turn to specifics. It is a recurring theme throughout the New Testament; we are to put to death sexual immorality — including any impurity and lust. The apostle repeats this in most of his letters to the early churches because it has always been a huge battle, especially for men. Is there anything in your life that hints at any kind of sexual impurity? Kill that “roach” before it multiplies and overruns your life!
Paul continues with the specifics, using phrases like “evil desires and greed.” When we allow a natural human desire to go without restraint, it will soon turn into an evil desire and greed. We must surrender our human desires in prayer. We must tell our heavenly Father that we want them, but trust His watchful care. If it is His will for us to have “it,” then that is the only way we truly want “it!” The devil is defeated when we put to death any human desire that starts to grow into evil desire and greed!
The apostle reminds us that “greed” is idolatry. Idolatry is putting anything, no matter how innocent it may seem, before our desire for God and His will. Do you have any “out of control” desires that need to be put to death?
Father, search my heart to see if I am allowing desires to turn into a greedy spirit! I surrender that to you, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.