There is nothing in our lives that gives us more peace than knowing we are doing the right thing. Nothing gives us more of a feeling of uneasiness than knowing we are doing the wrong thing.
Paul said, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:2). In order to follow Paul’s command, he gives us three lists of things to do to set us on the right road to finding the peace we all desire.
In verse 5 of this chapter, Paul tells us to “put to death” these things:
• Sexual immorality
• Impurity
• Passion
• Evil desire
• Covetousness
In verse 8 he tells us to put these all away:
• Anger
• Wrath
• Malice
• Slander
• Obscene talk
Verse 9 says, “Do not lie to one another.”
The third list is found in verses 12-14. Paul says to put on:
• Holy and beloved, compassionate hearts
• Kindness
• Humility
• Meekness
• Patience
• Bearing with one another
• Forgiving each other
• Love
The heading in my Bible for these verses is “Put On The New Self.” Paul is talking about “setting our minds on things above and not on things that are on the earth.”
These people, the people of Colossae, had become Christians. They had received the teaching of the gospel and been obedient to it, but there were false teachings among them that had deceived them. Paul is writing to them to correct these false teachings and encourage them in doing God’s will.
In the first list, Paul addresses specifically moral issues. Paul is very clear about these sexual sins and tells them to “put them to death.” These are things that are earthly, things that belong to the flesh. They belonged to the people of Colossae before they put on Christ.
In the second list, Paul tells the Colossians to “put these away.” When you look at the list, you see that this is a list of things for which we must constantly be on guard. In this list, Paul begins with anger. Anger is at the core of the others. Where anger exists, wrath, malice, slander and obscene talk will follow. Even lying will grow out of an angry heart.
When we put on Christ, our daily lives must change. We then are to live in the image of Christ, and none of these things can be part of the new man.
Finally, Paul gives us a list of those things we must “put on.” This list starts with a compassionate heart. When we have a compassionate heart, everything else will follow. When our hearts are right, the things in those first two lists will not be a part of who we are.
Paul told the Philippians, “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these thing. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8-9).
Sandra Oliver