PUT OFF AND PUT ON

SERIES: THROUGH THE BOOK OF COLOSSIANS.

TEXT: Colossians 3:5-10

 

We have put off the old man with his deeds-Vs. 10. To “Put off” describes a complete removal. When Christ saved us, He broke the chains of sin in our lives and set us free from satan’s bondage. He spoiled the principalities and powers that had dominated us-Colossians 2:15.

The “Putting off” that took place at salvation was the result of repentance and faith in Christ. Those who truly come to know Christ are longing for Him to forgive their sin and change their lives. There is no such thing as true faith in Christ without genuine repentance.

If Christ has set you free and removed your sin and its bondage, you ought not to want to put those sins back or again. Though your flesh is still weak, those social sins ought to be repulsive to you. If you trip and fall, it ought to break your heart and drive you on your knees to 1st John 1:9 where it says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

We have then to PUT ON the new man-Vs. 10-11. When we put off the old man through repentance at salvation, we put on the newly born nature given to us by Christ, we become new creatures-2nd Corinthians 5:17. That new nature is renewing us through knowledge, through the victorious life patterned after the likeness of Christ, our creator. If Christ has made us a new creation, we ought to fulfill His command to put off social sins:-

GOD PINPOINTS FIVE OTHER SOCIAL SINS.

1. Anger: An angry temper. Many a time we talk of loosing of temper. All human beings are created with this problem of anger. Anger is a reaction to a situation. People get angry when they feel justice has not been done, when treated unfairly or when they fear that things might go wrong. Anger is a great temptation to every believer, some being more vulnerable than others. For a believer, there is God who fights for you, who vindicates you. You do not have to fight for yourself as vengeance belongs to God-Romans 12:19. The anger of man does not work the righteousness of God-James 1:20, you have to purpose to overcome anger. Many great sins have been committed when one is angry. You must work on mastering your spirit-Proverbs 16:32.
2. Wrath: This is heated anger.
3. Malice: Is an unjustified act of committing harm to another. It can be a simple act of an expression of disapproval of another. Malice does exist a lot even among born again believers.
4. Slander: is the action or crime of making a false spoken statement damaging to a person’s reputation. Its root cause is hatred or jealousy. Slander does exist even among believers. It stems from revenge, envy or a desire for personal gain. The principle behind malice is to cut down the other person so that you can stand tall alone and become “Visible.”
5. Filthy language: A believer is a transformed person. The word of God commands us to be quick to hear but slow to speak-James 1:19. A born again person must have one’s language/speech changed. One’s speech and words must be godly. From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks-Luke 6:45. Our words reflect what is in our hearts.

• Paul warns Timothy to flee godless chatter for it will lead men to more ungodliness-2nd Timothy 2:16. In the abundance of words sin abides-Proverbs 10:19.
• A serous born-again person is careful with what they say.

SPEAK THE TRUTH TO ONE ANOTHER-Vs. 9.

• Truth does not cost anything but lie can.
• We live in a dishonest world. Deceit is the natural tendency of the human heart and is not changed by more education or civilization.
• Integrity is a difficult thing to achieve that is why not many have it. 
• Society has normalized lying, cheating, bribery etc. god tells the believer to speak the truth.
• Even among believers, integrity lacks. The word of God says, “Let your yes be yes and your no be no.”-Matt. 5:37.

CONCLUSION

• Put off the old nature, put on the new. Doing this requires a purpose and a plan.