Mike Focht 6/27/2025
Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
Colossians 3:5-7
Here, Paul is instructing the Colossian believers to put their minds on heavenly things and put to death their earthly desires. The apostolic instruction is clear. Two lines are drawn to help us filter any action or desire.
First, we should ask ourselves, Is the wrath of God going to come upon this action or desire? Will God one day judge the ungodly for this action, motive, or desire? If so, we must immediately judge that action or desire within ourselves. We should cut it off and put it to death.
Second, we should ask ourselves, Does this action or desire fit more with my past life without Christ or my new life in Christ? If we find any action or desire that fits with our old life before Christ, we must immediately judge that action or desire within ourselves.
What does that judgment look like? Death! When covetousness or evil desires come alive in our hearts, we must immediately reject them. Do not think about them, enjoy them, or entertain them. When we are tempted to say evil things or look at evil things, we must close our mouths and shut our eyes. When the flesh desires and longs for specific actions or outlets, we are called as Christians to deny ourselves and kill that desire by refusing it.
Death to self will never be fun, but it is most certainly possible in the power of the Holy Spirit. Our flesh will battle against our spirit but the Spirit of God in us will also battle against the flesh. Sin should not have dominion over us—body, mind, or spirit. Our life will bear good or bad fruit as we sow to the flesh or the Spirit. Crucifying our flesh may hurt, and it may cause us to bleed emotionally, but in the end, the agony of the flesh will lead to its death.
Ultimately, Paul links a refusal to put our flesh to death with idolatry. If I only follow Jesus Christ when I feel like it or desire it, I am an idolator. I worship my feelings. Most modern-day Christians are never tempted to bow before a wooden or metallic idol, but plenty bow low to unsanctified feelings! I cannot allow my feelings or desires to be the deciding factor in my obedience to Christ. My flesh taints my feelings and desires. Sometimes, feelings are a blessing in the Lord. Other times, they lead me astray. I can trust God’s Word. I cannot follow my heart. The Christian life isn’t a Disney movie. If I only obey God when I feel like it, then I am an immature believer at best or an idolator at worst.
But remember, beyond the pain of self-denial and fleshly crucifixion is the resurrection life of the Spirit! The Christian life is not all suffering and death. Self-denial and crucifixion are the initial steps. Jesus found greater life beyond the cross. So will we. Life is the ultimate promise of Christ. Abundant life. The seed may die, but the plant's life beyond is wonderful to behold.