Earthly In You

Col. 3:5

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

 

When I read the lists of evil behaviors, I tend to think that these behaviors belong to someone else. 

After all I don't engage in sexual immorality, pornography, lust, or evil desires. I know that I have been gloriously saved and am growing in the Lord. But somehow in all these lists, there are one or two things listed that surprise me like covetousness, anger, grumbling, etc. These are sins that rear their ugly heads in my life much more than I would like them to. I must remember no matter how great the sin is from a human point of view, their end result is the same, separation from God. They keep my from having a close, intimate relationship with Him.

 

Obviously they must be problematic or they would not be included in this list. No doubt the root of all these evils whether horrendous or socially acceptable is my essential earthiness, my old nature. All believers still have that struggle with the defeating flesh, the law of sin that dwells in my members. What a conflict! The point is that I must continually put to death what is earthly in me. Putting to death is pretty much a full time job! One for which I must watch and pray and be constantly on guard. Before I can Put on [v. 12], I must put to death. The put on and the put to death cannot be roommates. No man can serve two masters. When  my fleshly behaviors surface, I must take them down immediately and not allow them even visiting privileges.

 

Father,

Make me aware of fleshly deeds that are mucking up my life. Give me your grace to put to death what is not pleasing to You.

In Jesus name,

Amen