“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry... In these you too once walked, when you were living in them.” - Colossians 3:5-7
Paul traces a path many of us recognize from the inside: impurity — a small compromise, barely noticed — moving to passion as it becomes a habit, then to evil desire as it becomes something craved, and finally to covetousness, which Paul names outright as the idolatry of making something on this earth the source of our happiness. What begins as a minor indulgence can end as something we believe we actually need more than God’s provision in order to be satisfied or content.
It is tempting to imagine the ancient world as more innocent than ours, but the opposite was often true — sexual exploitation of the powerless was woven into pagan religion itself. Paul's strong language, “put to death,” some translations say “mortify,” is not prudishness; it is a serious call to actively kill what is destructive to our spiritual health. Paul speaks so strongly because he knows these kinds of compromises can so damage our closeness with God that we abandon the blessings of the One who promises never to abandon us.
Paul reminds the ancient believers about such compromises, saying, “in these you too once walked.” He is being honest about where immorality, impurity, and covetousness leads: back to the unhappiness of life and emptiness of soul that characterized your life before Christ was your life. The call to put sin to death is really a call to stop reaching for a life that no longer fits who you actually are or satisfies the heart you now have.
RESPOND: Honestly trace the progression Paul describes — impurity to passion to desire to covetousness. Is there an area of your own life where that progression is in effect to some degree. If so, dare to measure where are you on that path right now?
Of course, the temptation even in recognizing that we may be on such a path is to minimize the risk or consider how we may manage the consequences. Paul would not have us so naïve about sin’s dangers. So, he says, “Put to death what is earthly in you.” Our need is not merely to manage or minimize sin but to murder it before it claims our joy, destroys our relationships, or stains Christ’s testimony in us.
For the sake of experiencing the blessings and love of the God who will never forsake you, consider one small compromise (the first step on sin’s path) you could address now. Then, take what steps of repentance, counsel, or re-direction are needed to kill it before it grows enough to hurt you.
PRAYER: Lord, show me honestly where I am on the path from small compromise toward idolatry. Give me the grace to confess and to put to death what is destructive in me, not just to manage it. Remind me that this old life no longer fits who I am in Christ. You intend far better for me and desire for your unfailing love to direct me in paths far sweeter. In Jesus' name, amen.